You're eligible to enrol and vote if you're 18 years or older, a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and you've lived in New Zealand continuously for 12 months or more at some time in your life.
Every eligible person in a household can enrol and post their own individual vote.
If you're enrolled for the general election for Parliament, you'll automatically be placed on Council's electoral roll.
Check to see if you're enrolled or need to update your details
How to enrol
Enrol online at vote.nz/enrol. It's super easy! Or, you can also:
- download an enrolment form [PDF 406KB]
- grab a form from our Customer Service Centre or from one of our libraries
- phone free on 0800 36 76 56
- text your name and address to free text 3676 and the form will be posted out to you.
If you're Māori, you have the choice to enrol on either the Māori roll or the general roll. This decision determines which candidates you can vote for in both local and general elections.
If you're on the Māori roll, you will be voting in Palmerston North's Te Pūao Māori Ward. If you're on the general roll, you'll be voting in Te Hirawanui General Ward.
When can you choose?
- If you’re enrolling for the first time, you can choose your roll when you sign up.
- You can also change rolls, but not in the 3 months before local or general elections, or before a by-election in Palmerston North.
Your choice matters, so pick the roll that feels right for you!
Read more about Māori Electoral Option
You can vote in Palmerston North City Council elections if you are registered as a ratepayer elector. Use the enrolment form below.
Enrolment form for ratepayer electors(PDF, 185KB)
Support is available to help you enrol and vote if you have a disability.
If English is not your first language
The Vote NZ website has multilingual information about enrolling to vote.
Enrolment information in multiple languages | Vote.NZ
Who can enrol?
You can enrol to vote if:
- You are 18 years old or older and
- You are a NZ citizen, or permanent resident, or resident visa holder and
- You have lived in New Zealand for one year or longer continuously at some point
If you aren't enrolled by 12 August, or you are on the unlisted electoral roll for personal reasons, you may need to cast a special vote.
You'll need to call us or come in person to Council's Customer Service centre during opening hours (8am to 5pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and 9am to 5pm Wednesday).
How can I enrol?
- Fill in the online enrolment form on the www.vote.nz website
- Visit a Post Shop and pick up a form
- Phone free on 0800 36 76 56
- Text your name and address to free text 3676 and the form will be posted out to you.
I own property within Palmerston North but live outside the district. Can I vote in the Palmerston North City Council elections, and if so, how do I arrange this?
You will need to enrol as a ratepayer elector.
Download the Ratepayer Roll enrolment form(PDF, 185KB) or visit our Customer Service Centre at 32 Te Marae o Hine The Square.