Voting rights and democratic principles
New Zealand is one of the world's oldest continuous democracies. Free and fair elections, held by secret ballot under the MMP system, decide who represents New Zealanders in Parliament.
Who can vote
You can enrol to vote if you are 18 or older (you can enrol from 17 and vote once you turn 18), you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and you have lived in New Zealand continuously for at least one year at some time. Enrolment is compulsory for eligible people, but actually voting is voluntary.
Unusually among democracies, New Zealand lets permanent residents vote, not just citizens. However, only New Zealand citizens can stand for Parliament. Voters of Māori descent may choose to enrol in either a general electorate or a Māori electorate.
New Zealanders overseas can still vote: citizens must have visited New Zealand within the last three years, and permanent residents within the last year. Enrolment is free, and you should keep your details up to date when you move.
Key points
- Vote from 18; enrol from 17; enrolment compulsory, voting voluntary
- Citizens and permanent residents (1+ year in NZ) can vote
- Only citizens can stand for Parliament
- Māori voters may choose the Māori roll or the general roll
How MMP works
Since 1996, New Zealand has used the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting system, adopted by referendum in 1993. Under MMP each voter has two votes: a party vote for the political party they prefer, and an electorate vote for the candidate they want as their local MP.
The party vote largely decides each party's share of the roughly 120 seats in Parliament. A party normally needs at least 5% of the party vote — or one electorate seat — to enter Parliament. Parties fill their share of seats first with their winning electorate MPs, then from their ranked party lists.
Because seats mirror the party vote, one party rarely wins a majority alone, so parties usually govern in coalitions or with support agreements. General elections are normally held every three years, with advance voting available beforehand. The independent Electoral Commission runs the elections.
Key points
- MMP since 1996: two votes — party vote and electorate vote
- Party vote decides seat share; 5% threshold or one electorate seat
- About 120 MPs; elections every 3 years
- Coalitions are normal; the Electoral Commission runs elections
Democratic principles
New Zealand democracy rests on core principles: free and fair elections, the secret ballot, one person one vote, freedom of political speech, and a government accountable to the people through Parliament.
The secret ballot protects voters from pressure. Electoral offences — such as bribing voters, voting more than once, or interfering with someone's vote — are crimes. The opposition in Parliament plays a legitimate and important role: holding the government to account and offering alternatives.
Democracy is more than voting. Anyone can join or form a political party, contact their MP, make submissions on proposed laws at select committees, take part in referendums, and stand in local elections. Local government — mayors, councillors, and local boards — is elected every three years too.
Key points
- Free and fair elections by secret ballot; one person, one vote
- Electoral bribery and double voting are crimes
- The opposition's scrutiny is part of healthy democracy
- Participation: submissions, parties, referendums, local elections
A democratic milestone
In 1893 New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world where women won the right to vote. The suffrage campaign, led by Kate Sheppard, collected huge petitions to Parliament and changed democracy worldwide. Māori men — and from 1893 Māori women — voted through the Māori seats established in 1867.
Key points
- 1893: women win the vote — a world first
- Kate Sheppard led the suffrage movement
- Māori seats in Parliament date from 1867