How to vote

The voting period for the Local Government Elections 2025, will commence 9 September 2025, and will close at midday sharp on Saturday, 11 October 2025. All those who are listed on the final electoral roll would have received their voting packs by 22 September. Follow the prompts in your pack and drop into the post or an orange voting bin no later than 7 October 2022, or hand deliver your vote to Council offices during office hours by closing on Friday 10 October, or hand deliver to Council Libraries by midday, 11 October 2025.

If you have not received your voting pack in the mail, lost or damaged your voting pack, are on the unpublished roll, or you enrolled after 9 August 2025, the easiest way to get your vote in is to do a special vote at one of our libraries. Just come in before 11am (all votes must be in midday sharp) on Saturday 11 October to any of our libraries and the librarians will help you get your vote in. 

Other ways to make Special Votes

 Any person who is casting a special vote, must first complete a declaration by special voter under s.14 (2) of the Local Government Act 2001. Instructions for the return of special voting documents by post:

1. Call Council on 07 884 0060 to request a special voting pack or pop into your local Council Library.

2. The voter must complete a ‘Declaration by Special Voter’ form and sign in the presence of a witness who is 18 years of age or older. The witnessing officer must also complete their details as indicated on the form.

3. If the voter is a ratepayer elector, also complete that form as indicated.

4. Mark the voting paper as you wish to vote.

5. Place the voting paper and declaration form (and ratepayer enrolment form if issued) in the return envelope and seal it.

6. Post the voting documents in the reply paid envelope at any New Zealand Post by 7 October 2025 (to ensure the document reaches the Electoral Officer before close of voting). Alternatively, you may deliver your special vote to Council offices by closing time on Friday 10 October or to our libraries by midday sharp on Saturday 11 October.

Please note, a special vote is not available to a person who has voted and wishes to change their vote. In accordance with s.124 of the Local Electoral Act 2001, it is an offence, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years to any person who:

• Votes or applies to vote more than once at the same election or poll; or
• Without authority, removes, deletes, or otherwise interferes with any voting document, or other record of a vote that has been cast.

Check out these helpful resources on how to vote and special votes

Instructions for Return of Special Voting Documents by Post

Special Voting Pack Samples

Drop your vote in Matamata

• Matamata Library, 11 Tainui Street
• New World Matamata, 45 Waharoa Road East
• Countdown Matamata, Corner of Arawa St and Gouk Street
• Paper Plus Matamata, 85 Broadway

There is also a spot in Waharoa you can drop your vote into:

• Mobil Waharoa, 32 Seddon Street, Waharoa

Drop your vote in Morrinsville:

• Morrinsville Library, 56 Canada Street
• New World Morrinsville, 79/89-97 Thames Street 
• Countdown Morrinsville, 66 Studholme Street
• Paper Plus Morrinsville, 47 Studholme Street

There is also a spot in Tahuna you can drop your vote into:

• GAS Tahuna, 13 Tahuna-Ohinewai Road, Tahuna

Drop your vote in Te Aroha:

• Matamata-Piako District Council Office, 35 Kenrick Street
• Countdown Te Aroha, 85 Whitaker Street
• Te Aroha Four Square, 122 Whitaker Street