New residents in New Zealand: Are you eligible to vote in the 2026 election?

With New Zealand’s November 7 general election approaching, new residents and first-time voters are being encouraged to check their eligibility and enrol before the deadline to have their say on issues affecting them and their communities.

Under New Zealand’s electoral rules, people must be at least 18 years old, be a New Zealand citizen or a resident for electoral purposes, and have lived in the country continuously for 12 months or more at some point in their lives to be eligible to enrol and vote. 

Electoral Commission Chief Electoral Officer Karl le Quesne told The Indian Weekender that holding a residence visa is not the only consideration when determining eligibility.

"You're a resident for electoral purposes if you’re living in New Zealand lawfully and you're not required to leave within a specified time," le Quesne said.

A resident for electoral purposes includes someone who holds a valid resident or other visa if:

• you live in New Zealand

• your visa does not require you to leave New Zealand within a specified time

• you have lived in New Zealand continuously for 12 months or more at some time in your life

• you are in New Zealand legally

• you are not subject to sections 15 or 16 of the Immigration Act, for example have a conviction for certain offences or have been deported from New Zealand or another country.

People on work or student visas that require them to leave New Zealand by a specified date are generally not eligible on that basis.

Those unsure about their eligibility can contact the Electoral Commission free of charge on 0800 36 76 56.

Enrolment deadline and key dates

The deadline to enrol or update enrolment details for the 2026 General Election is midnight on Sunday, October 25. Advance voting begins on Monday, October 26, and election day is Saturday, November 7. Voters must be enrolled before voting starts. 

The Electoral Commission advises people to check their enrolment details and address before the deadline. 

Enrolment information is available in languages other than English and te reo Māori, including Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Tamil and Fijian. Voters can find translated resources through the Electoral Commission’s website- Information in multiple languages | Vote NZ

Support available for first-time voters

New residents or first time voters who need help completing their enrolment can ask a trusted friend or family member for assistance, le Quesne said.

"such as a trusted friend or family member, to support you complete your enrolment form, or to complete your form for you. Your support person can also help you enrol online," le Quesne explained.

People can also enrol in person at community enrolment hubs or mobile enrolment events:  Enrolment in your community

"Our teams are out in local communities at enrolment hubs and mobile enrolment events, helping people to get enrolled," le Quesne said.

Those who need assistance can find a nearby event through the Electoral Commission’s community enrolment information.

First-time voters can also seek help when they arrive at a voting place. Electoral staff are available to guide voters through the process and answer questions - What to do | Vote NZ | What to expect at the voting place | Vote NZ

Anyone who needs help reading or marking their voting paper can ask a friend, family member or electoral official to assist them- Need help to vote? | Vote NZ 

Why enrolling and voting matters

Le Quesne said participation in elections gives eligible New Zealanders an opportunity.

"It's really important that every eligible New Zealander has the opportunity to vote.

Enrolling and voting means you can have a say on the issues that affect you and your community," le Quesne told The Indian Weekender.

Eligible voters are encouraged to check their enrolment details, seek assistance if needed and complete enrolment before the October 25 deadline.

If you are living overseas, additional eligibility rules apply. Check out here.

Who is not eligible to enrol and vote

You’re not eligible to enrol and vote if any of the following statements are true:

• you’re a New Zealand citizen who has not been in New Zealand within the last 3 years

• you’re a resident for electoral purposes who has not been in New Zealand within the past twelve months

• you have to leave New Zealand by a set date, such as a date on a student, work, or visitor permit

• you're serving a prison sentence of 3 years or more in a New Zealand prison

• you’re serving a prison sentence of less than 3 years and any of the offences you were sentenced for occurred on or after 20 December 2025

• you’re being held in a psychiatric hospital after being charged with a criminal offence and have been there for over 3 years 

• you’ve been convicted of a corrupt practice and are currently on the Corrupt Practices List