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New Zealand
- Boundary Delimitation
- Direct Democracy
- Electoral Management
- Electoral Systems
- Legislative Framework
- Media and Elections
- Parties and Candidates
- Vote Counting
- Voter Education
- Voting Operations
- Voter Registration
Boundary Delimitation
BD01 Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
a. Yes
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:15:37 UTC
BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
a. "Equality" of population
b. Respecting natural barriers
f. Communities of interest/cultural concerns
g. Other
Comments: g) Existing boundaries; projected variation in the electoral population.
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:15:37 UTC
Direct Democracy
DD01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
a. Name and Title: Hanna Berheim
b. Job Title: Research Assistant
c. Organisation: International IDEA
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:29:24 UTC
DD02 Which forms of direct democracy, if any, are currently possible at the national level?
Please check the glossary for the definition of the following terms:
b. Optional referendum
c. Citizens' initiative
d. Agenda initiative
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:29:24 UTC
DD03 What is the legal basis for mandatory referendums at the national level?
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:29:24 UTC
DD06 What is the legal basis for agenda initiatives at the national level?
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:29:24 UTC
DD124 If free media access is provided, what are the criteria for allocating broadcast time / printing space?
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:29:24 UTC
DD126 What restrictions or controls, if any, are there on media coverage of the campaign and/or issue during the relevant period?
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:29:24 UTC
DD13 When were direct democracy mechanisms first introduced into the legal framework at the national level?
Date (yyyy)
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:29:24 UTC
DD14 When was an administrative framework for direct democracy mechanisms first introduced at the national level? Date (yyyy)
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:29:24 UTC
DD38 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a mandatory referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:29:24 UTC
DD39 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a optional referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:29:24 UTC
DD67 What restrictions, if any, are there in relation to the time period in which an individual/position can be recalled?
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:29:24 UTC
DD70 If a separate ballot to replace an individual who has been recalled takes place, how soon after the recall ballot is it held?
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:29:24 UTC
DD72 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an abrogative referendum (optional)?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:29:24 UTC
DD73 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a rejective referendum (optional)?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:29:24 UTC
DD74 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a citizens' initiative?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:29:24 UTC
DD75 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an agenda initiative?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2006-12-30 15:29:24 UTC
Electoral Management
EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution Electoral Commission
b. Full Address PO Box 3050, Wellington
c. Telephone +4 474 0670
d. Facsimile + 4 474 0674
e. Email [email protected]
f. Website Address www.elections.org.nz
g. Name and Title of Chairperson/President President Tony Ellis
h. Information Officer Communications Manager, Peter Northcote
i. Official language of the electoral law governing national elections English
Comments: There are three electoral management bodies in New Zealand: - Chief Electoral Office (conducts parliamentary elections, by-elections, referenda and supports the Representation Commission) - Electoral Commission (registers parties and oversees their statutory compliance and carries out education and information on electoral matters) - Electoral Enrollment Centre of New Zealand Post Limited (enrolls people and conducts the Maori Electoral Option)
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:13:07 UTC
EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:13:07 UTC
EM04 The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
c. The legislature
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:13:07 UTC
EM05 The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
c. The legislature
d. A national government department
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:13:07 UTC
EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
d. Other
Comments: It varies
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:13:07 UTC
EM08 According to official sources, what was the estimated overall cost (in US dollars if available) of the most recent national elections?
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:13:07 UTC
EM09 What was the total number of registered voters or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters?
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:13:07 UTC
Electoral Systems
Legislative Framework
LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
b. Separate legislation
d. Regulations or administrative rules
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 09:58:36 UTC
LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 09:58:36 UTC
LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
a. Voting is voluntary
Source: International IDEA Voter Turnout Website (http://www.idea.int/vt/)
Last updated: 2006-11-21 20:45:29 UTC
Media and Elections
ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
Last updated: 2007-01-03 14:34:12 UTC
ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 14:34:12 UTC
ME13 What are the laws, if any, which govern the operations of the public broadcaster?
Specify the date of the latest version (including latest amendments)
Last updated: 2007-01-03 14:34:12 UTC
ME18 What are the laws, if any, that provide for the safeguards for editorial autonomy in relation to the public broadcaster(s)?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 14:34:12 UTC
ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 14:34:12 UTC
ME22 What are the legal conditions, if any, under which the activities of a media outlet may be suspended?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 14:34:12 UTC
ME38 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 14:34:12 UTC
ME55 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a presidential candidate is permitted to spend on paid advertising?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 14:34:12 UTC
ME56 What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 14:34:12 UTC
ME57 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 14:34:12 UTC
ME58 How does this maximum amount (identified in question C.15.1) affect the political participation of smaller or newly formed parties?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 14:34:12 UTC
Parties and Candidates
PC01 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Signature requirement (specify requirement)
b. Deposit requirement (specify amount)
f. Other
Comments: Parties must be registered and pay a $1000 deposit to contest party vote. Registrations must be signed by the candidate/Party Secretary or any member of Parliament who is a current financial member of that Party.
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:23:53 UTC
PC02 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
g. Not applicable
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:23:53 UTC
PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
j. Other
Comments: j) Candidates must be enrolled on the electoral roll
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:23:53 UTC
PC04 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
k. Not applicable
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:23:53 UTC
PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
c. In legislative elections (Chamber 1)
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:23:53 UTC
PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
c. Indirect
Source: International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Last updated: 2006-11-20 14:12:56 UTC
PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
b. Based on result of previous election
c. Based on current legislative representation
e. Other
Comments: e) Indications of public support e.g. opinion polls, party membership and the need to provide an equal opportunity for each political party to broadcast.
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:23:53 UTC
Vote Counting
VC04 Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
a. At the polling stations
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:28:55 UTC
VC11 Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
b. Always recounted
d. By request
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:28:55 UTC
Voter Education
VE01 Who conducts voter education and information campaigns at the national elections (informing where, when and how to register and vote)?
a. National Electoral Management Body
h. Political parties/ candidates
i. Media
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:16:40 UTC
VE02 At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
a. Continuously
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:16:40 UTC
Voting Operations
VO03 Where can electors vote?
b. At any polling station in the same voting district
c. At any polling station in the same country
e. At mobile polling stations
f. By mail
j. Other
Comments: j) At advance voting facilities and overseas.
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:27:17 UTC
VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
b. Citizens residing outside the country
c. Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation)
d. Members of the armed forces
e. Students
f. Diplomatic staff
g. Other
Comments: f) Permanent residents
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:27:17 UTC
VO05 If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
a. Embassies
b. Consulates
e. By mail
f. Other
Comments: f) Voters can download a ballot paper and declaration form and fax to the Chief Electoral Office
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:27:17 UTC
VO06 Can people vote in advance of the designated national election day(s)?
b. Yes
Comments: (a)Pre-poll voting centres are set up in two weeks prior to polling day: -in all AEC's offices. -in all capital cities. -in major regional centres in each electoral division. -in remote areas of Australia (eg Broome, Jabiru, Goondiwindi, Antarctica). -at airports around the country for Australians travelling interstate or overseas. -at Island resorts (eg the Whitsundays and Great Keppel Island). -for defence personnel. (b)Electors who have difficulty getting to a polling place on polling day can register as a General Postal Voter (GPV). GPVs include people with a disability, silent electors, prisoners, those in remote areas, and people who have religious objections to attending a polling place on polling day. As soon as the DRO receives the ballot papers for an election, GPVs are sent postal ballot papers and certificate envelopes. (d)Mobile polling teams bring the polling place to the elector. Mobile polling teams visit electors who are patients in hospitals and nursing homes. Visits take place the 5 days preceding polling day and on polling day. Prisoners serving a sentence of five years or less are entitled to enrol and vote. If a mobile team visits the prison elibible prisoners can vote at the mobile facility. Mobile polling teams visit remote locations by air, sea or road in the 12 days leading up to and including polling day. Remote locations include Aboriginal communities and their outstations, pastoral properties, small towns, tourist resorts and mine sites with a minimum enrolment of 8 to 10 people. In appropriate locations, in accordance with AEC policy, local Aboriginal people are recruited to identify, interpret for and assist voters at each remote mobile polling location . <p>
Source: The AEC (www.aec.gov.au/voting/types.htm#ove)
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:27:17 UTC
VO07 If electors can vote in advance of the designated national election day(s), how may they do so?
a. At special advance polling centers
c. At the post office
f. Not applicable
Comments: (a)Pre-poll voting centres are set up in two weeks prior to polling day: -in all AEC's offices. -in all capital cities. -in major regional centres in each electoral division. -in remote areas of Australia (eg Broome, Jabiru, Goondiwindi, Antarctica). -at airports around the country for Australians travelling interstate or overseas. -at Island resorts (eg the Whitsundays and Great Keppel Island). -for defence personnel. (b)Electors who have difficulty getting to a polling place on polling day can register as a General Postal Voter (GPV). GPVs include people with a disability, silent electors, prisoners, those in remote areas, and people who have religious objections to attending a polling place on polling day. As soon as the DRO receives the ballot papers for an election, GPVs are sent postal ballot papers and certificate envelopes. (d)Mobile polling teams bring the polling place to the elector. Mobile polling teams visit electors who are patients in hospitals and nursing homes. Visits take place the 5 days preceding polling day and on polling day. Prisoners serving a sentence of five years or less are entitled to enrol and vote. If a mobile team visits the prison elibible prisoners can vote at the mobile facility. Mobile polling teams visit remote locations by air, sea or road in the 12 days leading up to and including polling day. Remote locations include Aboriginal communities and their outstations, pastoral properties, small towns, tourist resorts and mine sites with a minimum enrolment of 8 to 10 people. In appropriate locations, in accordance with AEC policy, local Aboriginal people are recruited to identify, interpret for and assist voters at each remote mobile polling location . <p>
Source: The AEC (www.aec.gov.au/voting/types.htm#ove)
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:27:17 UTC
VO10 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:27:17 UTC
VO11 How do electors cast their votes?
a. By manually marking the ballot
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:27:17 UTC
Voter Registration
VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
c. 18
Comments: 18 years
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:19:05 UTC
VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship
b. Period of Residence
e. Other
Comments: e) Permanent residency
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:19:05 UTC
VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
d. Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: Electoral Enrollment Centre
Source: Richard Thornton, New Zealand Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2006-12-18 10:19:05 UTC
May 20, 2008 08:19 AM
