Labour leader Chris Hipkins and National leader Christopher Luxon have urged New Zealanders to enrol to vote, as today marks the final chance to register ahead of next month's general election.
Voters have until midnight tonight to enrol to vote in the November 7 election, with registration closing earlier than in previous elections following changes to electoral law.
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Speaking on the campaign trail in Wellington today, Hipkins said more than 300,000 eligible New Zealanders were still not on the electoral roll as of the latest count, with younger voters disproportionately affected.
"We really, really, really need people to get on the electoral roll so that they can have their say," he said.
"There is a lot at stake in this year's election. It's a cost of living election, but it's also about the future.
"If you're not on the roll by the end of today, you will not be able to vote.
Today's deadline comes after changes to electoral law scrapped enrolment during advance voting and on election day itself. Previously, eligible voters could enrol and cast their vote on the same day.
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Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said at the time that late enrolments had "placed too much strain on the system".
Hipkins earlier said he believed the Electoral Commission had “absolutely not” done enough to tell voters about this year’s change to enrolment rules.
Chief electoral officer Karl Le Quesne told Q+A this morning it was "fair" to say the changes would have affected the number of people enrolled to vote.
“Hard to say how much impact because we also know there are a lot of other factors that impact on people’s decisions to get enrolled and to vote,” he said.
As of Friday, 70% of eligible 18 to 24-year-olds were enrolled, compared with about 77% on election day in 2023.
Le Quesne said younger voters often delayed enrolling because they were unsure how to do so or did not know who to vote for.
"Don't wait till you've made your mind up. Get enrolled now so you're ready to go," he said.
The Electoral Commission said it would would analyse the impact of the changes after election day.
Meanwhile, Luxon rejected suggestions the Government had disenfranchised voters by bringing forward the enrolment deadline.
The Justice Minister says late enrolment “placed too much strain on the system”. (Source: 1News)
Asked about Le Quesne's comments today, Luxon said the changes were "absolutely not" preventing people from voting.
"You've seen the Electoral Commission bombard everybody with advertising. I think they've had almost a doubling of advertising around voter turnout and voter enrolment," he said.
"Australia's out at double the amount of time you've got to be on a roll before an election and Kiwis are twice as smart as Australians, so I'm sure we can manage.
"I'm sure we can get enrolled 13 days before an election. You've got until midnight tonight, go and do it."
Enrolment closes at midnight tonight. People can enrol or update their details at vote.nz.
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