The Electoral Commission has a simple message for Kiwis: Get ready for this year’s local elections.

“It’s time to check you’re enrolled to vote in this year’s local elections,” deputy chief executive operations Anusha Guler says.

“Over the next two weeks, the 3.6 million people on the electoral roll will be sent an enrolment pack in the mail to check their details are up to date.

“The local elections are held by a postal vote. Make sure you’re listed at the address where you live so you get your voting papers in the mail this October.

“Māori voters can choose to be on the Māori roll or the general roll for the local elections.

“You can’t change rolls in the three months before the elections, so if you would like to switch rolls, you need to do it by midnight on July 10.”

Guler says councils make decisions that affect people’s daily lives and communities on things such as rates, rubbish collection, libraries, parks and public transport.

It’s important people are enrolled and ready to have their say.

“Check your details when you get your pack. If they’re correct you’re all set to vote for the people who will represent you on city, district and regional councils.

“If your details need to be updated, you can change them on the form in the pack and send it back.

“People can also enrol or update their details online at vote.nz.

“If you don’t get a pack by April 14, it means you’re not enrolled, or you need to update your address on the electoral roll.

“This year, we’re also asking people to update their details with an email address and phone number to make it easier to move to digital communications in the future.”

Local elections timeline:

April 1, Electoral Commission starts enrolment drive
July 10, deadline for Māori to change rolls before the local elections
August 1, People need to be enrolled by this date to receive voting papers in the mail
September, councils send out voting papers
October 11, voting closes at 12pm on Saturday, October 11