How do I vote?

Voting packs will be sent out in the mail to everyone who is enrolled from Tuesday 9 September 2025, and these should be received by 16 September.

Voting is done by post. To be counted, all votes must be received by midday, Saturday 11 October 2025.

View the interactive map to find out where to drop off your vote.

Make your choice by ranking candidates on the voting paper

You’ve got four weeks to get your vote in (Tuesday 9 September 2025 to noon Saturday 11 October 2025). 

The single transferable voting (STV) electoral system will be used for the Palmerston North City Council elections, and the first past the post (FPP) electoral system will be used for the Horizons Regional Council election.

In STV everyone’s vote gets counted once, but you get to rank as many candidates as you wish. It’s a good idea to rank at least a few. Put a 1 in your top spot, then a 2, 3 and so on. That way, if your favourite candidate already has enough votes to get in, your vote won’t get wasted.

Before making your choice, you may wish to find out more about the candidates. Check out our community hui, read up on media you trust, talk to people you trust, and talk to the candidates!

It is very safe to vote in New Zealand. You do not have to tell anyone who you voted for, unless you choose to. Your vote will always be confidential.

Where to drop off your vote

You can post your vote at one of the DX mailboxes, which are available 24/7, or drop your vote at a voting box station. A number of these voting boxes are kept inside businesses or schools and can only be accessed during certain hours. Check that they are open before you head over.

Find out where you can drop off your vote at a location closest to you.

You can also drop off your vote at our Mobile Library. The Mobile Library visits 33 city stops on a weekly basis, find out its timetable and route.