Electoral Commission teams are out rallying communities where political engagement is the lowest, just over a week before voter registration closes.
Throughout New Zealand the number of voters registered was slightly higher than pre-election 2023, and a range of initiatives have been particularly successful amongst Pacific communities.
While there is no ethnic statistics breakdown, electorates such as Māngere — where around 60% of residents are Pasifika — have shown a big uptake in voter registration.
At the start of October 93.2% of eligible voters were registered, compared to 86% on election day in 2023.

However, getting people to cast their vote proved trickier, as in 2023 only 63% of those registered actually voted.
Belle Tuimaseve-Fox, the Electoral Commission's Central Regional Manager for Strategic Engagement and Partnership said there had been a range of approaches which were doing well including Pacific promotions using humour and different languages alongside enrolment hubs in places where Pasifika go.
"That messaging is really really clear that we have to get all of our people, our village, our communities talking about enrolling but talking also voting as well and the importance being part of this country and how we do that," she told 1News.
Despite the success, there were still many challenges.
The two other electorates with large numbers of Pasifika are lagging - Otahuhu has 91.54% and Manurewa 86.42%.
Tuimaseve-Fox said it was also about making people feel confident about the process of voting along with the logistics - where it happens, what the voting forms look like.

She said the feedback from some young Pasifika was that an election was not really discussed at home.
"Potentially Pasifika people being a bit more shy... less forthcoming to talk about things that are you know where they fit in society and where they fit in things like the general election," she said.
"We need to make sure that it's ok that we can see ourselves in this election or every election really so that they [young people] can help shape this future for our people in Aotearoa".
Solomon Smith, who worked in the Electoral Commission's community engagement team in Christchurch said events such as markets proved quite successful in registering Pasifika.
"It gives an opportunity for us to reach people who may not be at our traditional places like our churches, or our schools or different places in public".
He said they have a saying "if in doubt fill it out"
Voting registration closes midnight on October 25.


















SHARE ME