How often are general elections held in New Zealand?

Every 3 years. Parliament's term is 3 years, so a general election is held every 3 years.

What is the minimum voting age in New Zealand general elections?

18. You can enrol from age 17, but you must be 18 or over to vote in a general election.

How long is the term of New Zealand's Parliament?

3 years. A Parliament can sit for up to 3 years before a general election must be held.

Voting in a New Zealand general election is:

Voluntary. Voting is voluntary in New Zealand, but you must be enrolled to vote if you are eligible.

At what age can you enrol to vote in New Zealand?

17. You can enrol from age 17, but you must be 18 or over to actually vote in an election.

What is a "by-election" in New Zealand?

An election to fill a single electorate seat that becomes vacant between general elections. A by-election is held when an electorate seat becomes empty between general elections, for example because the MP resigns or dies. List seats are not filled by by-elections.

Who can stand in a New Zealand local council election?

A New Zealand citizen who is enrolled as a parliamentary elector. To stand for a local council, you must be a New Zealand citizen and on the parliamentary electoral roll. You must also be nominated by two electors of the area.

In a New Zealand general election, "advance voting" lets you:

Vote before election day at a voting place. Advance voting opens about 2 weeks before election day. You can cast your vote early at any advance voting place.

In New Zealand, local council elections are usually held by:

Postal voting, with voting papers posted to enrolled voters before election day. New Zealand local elections are run mainly by postal vote. Voting papers are posted to enrolled voters about 3 to 4 weeks before election day. Some councils also offer in-person voting and ballot drop-off boxes.

What voting system does New Zealand use to elect its Parliament?

Mixed Member Proportional (MMP). New Zealand has used Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) since the 1996 general election. Each voter casts two votes: one for a local MP and one for a party.

How many votes does each voter get on election day in New Zealand?

Two votes — one for a candidate, one for a party. Under MMP, you get two votes: an electorate vote for your local MP and a party vote that decides how many seats each party gets in Parliament overall.

Which of these people can vote in a New Zealand general election?

NZ citizens and resident-class visa holders, who have lived in NZ continuously for at least 12 months at some time. To enrol and vote you must be 18 or over, a New Zealand citizen or hold a resident class visa (Resident Visa or Permanent Resident Visa), and have lived in New Zealand continuously for at least 12 months at some point.

What does "MMP" stand for?

Mixed Member Proportional. MMP stands for Mixed Member Proportional. It mixes electorate MPs with list MPs so that each party's seats roughly match its share of the party vote.

Under MMP, what is a "party vote"?

A vote that decides how many seats each party gets in Parliament. The party vote is the most important vote under MMP. It decides each party's overall share of the 120 seats in Parliament.

Under MMP, what is an "electorate vote"?

A vote for a local Member of Parliament. The electorate vote chooses your local MP. The candidate with the most electorate votes in your area wins that seat.

What share of the party vote does a party usually need to get list seats in Parliament?

5%. A party usually needs at least 5% of the party vote to get list seats. A party can also enter Parliament if it wins at least one electorate seat.

Where do you go to enrol or update your details to vote in New Zealand?

vote.nz (the Electoral Commission). The Electoral Commission runs elections and enrolment. You can enrol or update your details on vote.nz, by post, or in person.

Who can stand as a candidate in a New Zealand general election?

New Zealand citizens who are 18 or over and on the electoral roll. To stand as a candidate, you must be a New Zealand citizen, at least 18 years old, and on the electoral roll.

Under MMP, a party can enter Parliament without 5% of the party vote if it:

Wins at least one electorate seat. A party that wins at least one electorate seat can bring in list MPs in proportion to its party vote, even if it does not reach the 5% threshold.

In New Zealand, councils may hold their elections using:

Either First Past the Post (FPP) or Single Transferable Vote (STV), at the council's choice. Local authorities can choose either FPP or STV for their elections. STV is used in some councils. The Local Electoral Act 2001 allows the choice.

Which body runs general elections, manages the electoral roll, and publishes the official results in NZ?

The Electoral Commission (Te Kaitiaki Take Kowhiri). The Electoral Commission runs Parliamentary elections and referendums, manages enrolment, and publishes results. Local councils run their own elections separately.

A "binding referendum" in New Zealand is one where:

The result must be implemented by the government if it passes the set threshold. A binding referendum requires the government to give effect to the result. The 2020 End of Life Choice referendum was binding. The 2020 cannabis referendum was indicative only.

A "citizens-initiated referendum" in New Zealand is:

Indicative only, even if a clear majority votes one way on the question asked. Under the Citizens Initiated Referenda Act 1993, citizens can petition for a referendum if they collect enough signatures. The result is indicative, not binding, on the government.

In New Zealand, "scrutineers" at a polling place are:

People appointed by candidates or parties to observe voting and counting processes. Scrutineers are appointed by candidates or parties to watch the voting and counting process and help keep it transparent. They cannot interfere with voters or staff.

New Zealand citizens living overseas can usually vote in a general election if they:

Have visited New Zealand within the last 3 years (citizens) or within the last 12 months (permanent residents). NZ citizens lose voting eligibility after 3 years overseas, so they must have visited New Zealand within the last 3 years. Permanent residents lose eligibility after 12 months overseas, so they must have visited within the last 12 months.

How many seats are usually in the New Zealand House of Representatives?

120. The House of Representatives usually has 120 MPs. The number can be slightly higher in some elections because of "overhang" seats under MMP.

How long is one term of an elected local council in New Zealand?

3 years. Local government elections are held every 3 years, like Parliament.

Which act sets out how Parliament and elections work in New Zealand?

The Electoral Act 1993. The Electoral Act 1993 sets the rules for how MMP elections, enrolment, and most election rules work in New Zealand.

Voting in New Zealand elections uses which type of ballot?

Secret ballot, where no one can see how you voted. Voting is by secret ballot. No one can see how you voted, which protects you from pressure or intimidation.

What is an "overhang seat" in the New Zealand Parliament?

An extra seat added when a party wins more electorates than its party vote alone would justify. If a party wins more electorate seats than its share of the party vote would give it, those extra seats stay. The total number of MPs goes above 120 by that "overhang".

How many Māori electorates are there in the current Parliament?

7. There are currently 7 Māori electorates. Voters of Māori descent can switch between the Māori roll and the general roll at any time. Since the Māori Electoral Option became continuous in March 2023, voters no longer have to wait for a window after each census, but switching is paused in the 3 months before a general election.

Voters of Māori descent can choose between which two electoral rolls?

The Māori roll or the general roll. People of Māori descent can choose to enrol on either the Māori roll or the general roll. The choice affects which electorate they vote in and helps set the number of Māori electorates.

Special votes in a New Zealand election include votes from:

People voting outside their electorate, overseas voters, or those enrolling at the same time as voting. Special votes include votes from people who voted outside their own electorate, who are overseas, or who enrolled on the day they voted. They are counted after election day.

How long after a general election does the Electoral Commission usually take to release the final official result, including special votes?

About 3 weeks. The preliminary result is known on election night. The official result, including all special votes and recounts, is usually declared about 3 weeks after election day.

In New Zealand, an "election petition" is:

A formal court challenge to the result of an election in a particular electorate. An election petition under the Electoral Act 1993 is a formal challenge to the result of an election in an electorate. It is heard by the High Court.

In New Zealand, the "dormant roll" holds the details of voters who:

Have not updated their enrolment when an electoral check found their address out of date. The dormant roll holds voters whose details have become out of date and who have not confirmed them. Dormant voters can re-enrol and rejoin the main roll at any time.

A voter on the "unpublished roll" in New Zealand is:

Someone whose details are kept off the publicly available roll, for safety reasons. The unpublished roll is for people whose safety could be at risk if their address were publicly listed, for example survivors of family violence. Their details are still on the official roll for voting.

In New Zealand local elections, the term "Maori ward" refers to:

A council ward whose elected councillor is chosen only by voters on the Maori roll. Some councils have Maori wards. The councillor for a Maori ward is elected only by people on the Maori roll in that area. The Local Electoral Act 2001 sets the rules.

Topic · 38 practice questions

Voting & democracy

Last updated 12 May 2026

Voting and democracy is one of the six topic areas govt.nz lists for the New Zealand citizenship test. It covers how Parliament is elected (Mixed Member Proportional, or MMP), who can vote, what an electorate is, the role of the Electoral Commission, and the general principles of representative democracy in New Zealand. The practice questions below come from publicly available material, not the official test.

Take the practice quiz

Free · 20 random questions · no signup

What this topic covers

How MMP (Mixed Member Proportional) works
Who is eligible to vote and who is required to enrol
General electorates and Māori electorates
How long a Parliament lasts and when elections are held
The Electoral Commission and the role of independent oversight

Note: These are practice questions written from publicly available guidance. Official study material from the Department of Internal Affairs has not yet been released.

Practice questions (38)

Question 1

How often are general elections held in New Zealand?
- A Every 2 years
- B Every 3 years Correct
- C Every 4 years
- D Every 5 years
Why

Parliament's term is 3 years, so a general election is held every 3 years.

Source: www.parliament.nz
Question 2

What is the minimum voting age in New Zealand general elections?
- A 16
- B 17
- C 18 Correct
- D 21
Why

You can enrol from age 17, but you must be 18 or over to vote in a general election.

Source: vote.nz
Question 3

How long is the term of New Zealand's Parliament?
- A 2 years
- B 3 years Correct
- C 4 years
- D 5 years
Why

A Parliament can sit for up to 3 years before a general election must be held.

Source: www.parliament.nz
Question 4

Voting in a New Zealand general election is:
- A Compulsory for all adults
- B Compulsory only for citizens
- C Voluntary Correct
- D Done online only
Why

Voting is voluntary in New Zealand, but you must be enrolled to vote if you are eligible.

Source: vote.nz
Question 5

At what age can you enrol to vote in New Zealand?
- A 16
- B 17 Correct
- C 18
- D 21
Why

You can enrol from age 17, but you must be 18 or over to actually vote in an election.

Source: vote.nz
Question 6

What is a "by-election" in New Zealand?
- A A national vote that is conducted only by radio broadcast, with results read out on air
- B An election to fill a single electorate seat that becomes vacant between general elections Correct
- C A vote held inside a single political party's caucus to choose its parliamentary leader
- D A nationwide vote held to choose a new design for the New Zealand flag and emblem
Why

A by-election is held when an electorate seat becomes empty between general elections, for example because the MP resigns or dies. List seats are not filled by by-elections.

Source: elections.nz
Question 7

Who can stand in a New Zealand local council election?
- A Anyone aged 16 or over who lives in the council area
- B A New Zealand citizen who is enrolled as a parliamentary elector Correct
- C Only current councillors seeking another term
- D Only people born in the relevant council area
Why

To stand for a local council, you must be a New Zealand citizen and on the parliamentary electoral roll. You must also be nominated by two electors of the area.

Source: www.govt.nz
Question 8

In a New Zealand general election, "advance voting" lets you:
- A Vote before election day at a voting place Correct
- B Cast two votes instead of just one on the day
- C Vote on behalf of a friend or family member
- D Vote only by phone instead of attending in person
Why

Advance voting opens about 2 weeks before election day. You can cast your vote early at any advance voting place.

Source: vote.nz
Question 9

In New Zealand, local council elections are usually held by:
- A In-person attendance at a designated polling place set up at the local school hall
- B Postal voting, with voting papers posted to enrolled voters before election day Correct
- C A binding online ballot run by the Department of Internal Affairs each three years
- D A face-to-face vote held inside each council chamber, restricted to ratepayers only
Why

New Zealand local elections are run mainly by postal vote. Voting papers are posted to enrolled voters about 3 to 4 weeks before election day. Some councils also offer in-person voting and ballot drop-off boxes.

Source: www.dia.govt.nz
Question 10 · medium

What voting system does New Zealand use to elect its Parliament?
- A First Past the Post
- B Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) Correct
- C Single Transferable Vote
- D Preferential Voting
Why

New Zealand has used Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) since the 1996 general election. Each voter casts two votes: one for a local MP and one for a party.

Source: www.parliament.nz
Question 11 · medium

How many votes does each voter get on election day in New Zealand?
- A One vote for a party
- B One vote for a candidate
- C Two votes — one for a candidate, one for a party Correct
- D Three votes — candidate, party, and prime minister
Why

Under MMP, you get two votes: an electorate vote for your local MP and a party vote that decides how many seats each party gets in Parliament overall.

Source: vote.nz
Question 12 · medium

Which of these people can vote in a New Zealand general election?
- A Anyone holding a current New Zealand visitor or work visa for at least three months
- B NZ citizens and resident-class visa holders, who have lived in NZ continuously for at least 12 months at some time Correct
- C Anyone living in New Zealand for any length of time, regardless of their visa type
- D Only New Zealand citizens born inside New Zealand to citizen parents (not by grant)
Why

To enrol and vote you must be 18 or over, a New Zealand citizen or hold a resident class visa (Resident Visa or Permanent Resident Visa), and have lived in New Zealand continuously for at least 12 months at some point.

Source: vote.nz
Question 13 · medium

What does "MMP" stand for?
- A Multi-Member Parliament
- B Mixed Member Proportional Correct
- C Majority Member Plan
- D Member-by-Member Plebiscite
Why

MMP stands for Mixed Member Proportional. It mixes electorate MPs with list MPs so that each party's seats roughly match its share of the party vote.

Source: vote.nz
Question 14 · medium

Under MMP, what is a "party vote"?
- A A vote that chooses the local electorate Member of Parliament for your area
- B A vote that decides how many seats each party gets in Parliament Correct
- C A vote cast directly for the next Prime Minister, who is then sworn in by the GG
- D A vote held inside a political party caucus to choose the party's parliamentary leader
Why

The party vote is the most important vote under MMP. It decides each party's overall share of the 120 seats in Parliament.

Source: vote.nz
Question 15 · medium

Under MMP, what is an "electorate vote"?
- A A vote for the political party of your choice
- B A vote cast directly for the next Prime Minister
- C A vote for a local Member of Parliament Correct
- D A vote held in a referendum on a national issue
Why

The electorate vote chooses your local MP. The candidate with the most electorate votes in your area wins that seat.

Source: vote.nz
Question 16 · medium

What share of the party vote does a party usually need to get list seats in Parliament?
- A 1%
- B 5% Correct
- C 10%
- D 15%
Why

A party usually needs at least 5% of the party vote to get list seats. A party can also enter Parliament if it wins at least one electorate seat.

Source: vote.nz
Question 17 · medium

Where do you go to enrol or update your details to vote in New Zealand?
- A Your nearest local police station's front counter
- B vote.nz (the Electoral Commission) Correct
- C Parliament Buildings information desk in Wellington
- D The Department of Internal Affairs service centre
Why

The Electoral Commission runs elections and enrolment. You can enrol or update your details on vote.nz, by post, or in person.

Source: vote.nz
Question 18 · medium

Who can stand as a candidate in a New Zealand general election?
- A Only people born inside New Zealand to a parent who is a citizen by birth
- B New Zealand citizens who are 18 or over and on the electoral roll Correct
- C Anyone aged 16 or over who has lived in New Zealand for at least one year
- D Only current Members of Parliament who are seeking re-election to the House
Why

To stand as a candidate, you must be a New Zealand citizen, at least 18 years old, and on the electoral roll.

Source: elections.nz
Question 19 · medium

Under MMP, a party can enter Parliament without 5% of the party vote if it:
- A Wins at least one electorate seat Correct
- B Has more than 100 members
- C Has a famous leader
- D Pays a special fee
Why

A party that wins at least one electorate seat can bring in list MPs in proportion to its party vote, even if it does not reach the 5% threshold.

Source: vote.nz
Question 20 · medium

In New Zealand, councils may hold their elections using:
- A Either First Past the Post (FPP) or Single Transferable Vote (STV), at the council's choice Correct
- B Only Mixed Member Proportional, the same system used at general elections in NZ
- C Only First Past the Post, with no choice of voting system in any local council
- D Only an open ballot system, where voters write the name of their chosen candidate
Why

Local authorities can choose either FPP or STV for their elections. STV is used in some councils. The Local Electoral Act 2001 allows the choice.

Source: www.dia.govt.nz
Question 21 · medium

Which body runs general elections, manages the electoral roll, and publishes the official results in NZ?
- A The Department of Internal Affairs, which also handles passports and citizenship
- B The Electoral Commission (Te Kaitiaki Take Kowhiri) Correct
- C The Office of the Clerk, which keeps the records of Parliament's daily sittings
- D The New Zealand Police, which runs the polling places at every general election
Why

The Electoral Commission runs Parliamentary elections and referendums, manages enrolment, and publishes results. Local councils run their own elections separately.

Source: elections.nz
Question 22 · medium

A "binding referendum" in New Zealand is one where:
- A The result must be implemented by the government if it passes the set threshold Correct
- B The Prime Minister of the day decides whether to follow the result personally
- C The Governor-General decides whether the result will be put into law or ignored
- D The result has no legal effect at all and is treated only as advice to government
Why

A binding referendum requires the government to give effect to the result. The 2020 End of Life Choice referendum was binding. The 2020 cannabis referendum was indicative only.

Source: elections.nz
Question 23 · medium

A "citizens-initiated referendum" in New Zealand is:
- A Always binding on the government once enough signatures are gathered for the petition
- B Indicative only, even if a clear majority votes one way on the question asked Correct
- C Held only when the Prime Minister and Cabinet vote in favour of running it
- D Allowed only on questions about taxes paid to central government in any year
Why

Under the Citizens Initiated Referenda Act 1993, citizens can petition for a referendum if they collect enough signatures. The result is indicative, not binding, on the government.

Source: www.legislation.govt.nz
Question 24 · medium

In New Zealand, "scrutineers" at a polling place are:
- A Officials sent by the Reserve Bank to check ballot box keys for security purposes
- B People appointed by candidates or parties to observe voting and counting processes Correct
- C Employees of the Office of the Speaker who ensure ballot papers are printed correctly
- D Volunteers who help drive elderly voters between their homes and polling places
Why

Scrutineers are appointed by candidates or parties to watch the voting and counting process and help keep it transparent. They cannot interfere with voters or staff.

Source: elections.nz
Question 25 · medium

New Zealand citizens living overseas can usually vote in a general election if they:
- A Have visited New Zealand within the last 3 years (citizens) or within the last 12 months (permanent residents) Correct
- B Have lived overseas continuously for any length of time, with no fixed cut-off in NZ law
- C Are aged over 30 and hold a current full New Zealand driver licence at the time
- D Are working at a New Zealand embassy or for the New Zealand Defence Force overseas
Why

NZ citizens lose voting eligibility after 3 years overseas, so they must have visited New Zealand within the last 3 years. Permanent residents lose eligibility after 12 months overseas, so they must have visited within the last 12 months.

Source: vote.nz
Question 26 · hard

How many seats are usually in the New Zealand House of Representatives?
- A 60
- B 100
- C 120 Correct
- D 200
Why

The House of Representatives usually has 120 MPs. The number can be slightly higher in some elections because of "overhang" seats under MMP.

Source: www.parliament.nz
Question 27 · hard

How long is one term of an elected local council in New Zealand?
- A 1 year
- B 2 years
- C 3 years Correct
- D 6 years
Why

Local government elections are held every 3 years, like Parliament.

Source: www.govt.nz
Question 28 · hard

Which act sets out how Parliament and elections work in New Zealand?
- A The Crimes Act 1961
- B The Electoral Act 1993 Correct
- C The Education Act 1989
- D The Health Act 1956
Why

The Electoral Act 1993 sets the rules for how MMP elections, enrolment, and most election rules work in New Zealand.

Source: www.legislation.govt.nz
Question 29 · hard

Voting in New Zealand elections uses which type of ballot?
- A Open ballot, where the choice is public
- B Secret ballot, where no one can see how you voted Correct
- C Family ballot, where one vote per family
- D Online-only ballot
Why

Voting is by secret ballot. No one can see how you voted, which protects you from pressure or intimidation.

Source: vote.nz
Question 30 · hard

What is an "overhang seat" in the New Zealand Parliament?
- A An extra seat reserved for the Governor-General to attend the State Opening of Parliament
- B An extra seat added when a party wins more electorates than its party vote alone would justify Correct
- C A backbench seat used as a training position for a junior Member of Parliament early in their term
- D An electorate seat that is left empty between general elections after a sitting MP resigns
Why

If a party wins more electorate seats than its share of the party vote would give it, those extra seats stay. The total number of MPs goes above 120 by that "overhang".

Source: vote.nz
Question 31 · hard

How many Māori electorates are there in the current Parliament?
- A 0
- B 7 Correct
- C 20
- D 60
Why

There are currently 7 Māori electorates. Voters of Māori descent can switch between the Māori roll and the general roll at any time. Since the Māori Electoral Option became continuous in March 2023, voters no longer have to wait for a window after each census, but switching is paused in the 3 months before a general election.

Source: vote.nz
Question 32 · hard

Voters of Māori descent can choose between which two electoral rolls?
- A The Māori roll or the general roll Correct
- B The North Island roll or the South Island roll
- C The city roll or the country roll
- D The youth roll or the adult roll
Why

People of Māori descent can choose to enrol on either the Māori roll or the general roll. The choice affects which electorate they vote in and helps set the number of Māori electorates.

Source: vote.nz
Question 33 · hard

Special votes in a New Zealand election include votes from:
- A People voting outside their electorate, overseas voters, or those enrolling at the same time as voting Correct
- B Cabinet Ministers casting an extra ballot from their offices on top of their usual electorate vote
- C Voters under the age of 20 who enrol on election day at a voting place run by the Electoral Commission
- D People who are not New Zealand citizens but live here on a work or student visa for one year or more
Why

Special votes include votes from people who voted outside their own electorate, who are overseas, or who enrolled on the day they voted. They are counted after election day.

Source: vote.nz
Question 34 · hard

How long after a general election does the Electoral Commission usually take to release the final official result, including special votes?
- A One hour
- B The same evening
- C About 3 weeks Correct
- D About 1 year
Why

The preliminary result is known on election night. The official result, including all special votes and recounts, is usually declared about 3 weeks after election day.

Source: elections.nz
Question 35 · hard

In New Zealand, an "election petition" is:
- A A petition to call a general election earlier than the normal three-year cycle
- B A formal court challenge to the result of an election in a particular electorate Correct
- C A public consultation document on possible changes to the electoral system
- D A petition that asks Parliament to fund a fresh nationwide ballot on a question
Why

An election petition under the Electoral Act 1993 is a formal challenge to the result of an election in an electorate. It is heard by the High Court.

Source: www.legislation.govt.nz
Question 36 · hard

In New Zealand, the "dormant roll" holds the details of voters who:
- A Have voluntarily withdrawn from elections after asking to be removed from any list
- B Have not updated their enrolment when an electoral check found their address out of date Correct
- C Are paying a higher fixed fee for advance voting at any polling place
- D Are people of Maori descent currently enrolled on the Maori electoral roll
Why

The dormant roll holds voters whose details have become out of date and who have not confirmed them. Dormant voters can re-enrol and rejoin the main roll at any time.

Source: vote.nz
Question 37 · hard

A voter on the "unpublished roll" in New Zealand is:
- A Someone whose details are kept off the publicly available roll, for safety reasons Correct
- B Someone who is enrolled in another country and votes by overseas postal ballot
- C Someone who has voted in fewer than three of the last general elections in NZ
- D Someone who declined to give their date of birth when filling in the enrolment form
Why

The unpublished roll is for people whose safety could be at risk if their address were publicly listed, for example survivors of family violence. Their details are still on the official roll for voting.

Source: vote.nz
Question 38 · hard

In New Zealand local elections, the term "Maori ward" refers to:
- A A ward at a hospital reserved for Maori patients only on cultural grounds
- B A council ward whose elected councillor is chosen only by voters on the Maori roll Correct
- C A separate council that runs all services for Maori residents within a region
- D A ward of a children's court that hears cases involving young Maori offenders
Why

Some councils have Maori wards. The councillor for a Maori ward is elected only by people on the Maori roll in that area. The Local Electoral Act 2001 sets the rules.

Source: www.dia.govt.nz

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