Election for Parliament
Your next chance to vote for Parliament is due in 2011.  If an electorate MP leaves parliament more than 6 months before the next election then voters in that electorate will have the opportunity to vote in a by-election, where only an electorate vote is used. 

Election for Local Councils
The next election is on 9 October 2010. After that, it’s held every three years.

MMP or Mixed Member Proportional representation is the electoral system we use in general elections.

Remember your party vote helps share out all the seats in parliament and who forms a government.  Each party’s share of seats is proportional to its share of party votes.

Each party’s overall share of seats is made up of electorate (local area) winners and then by taking candidates from the top of a list each party puts forward before the election.

District Health Boards or DHBs manage the funding and delivery of health and disability services in your area. DHBs aim to improve, promote and protect the health of communities. If you or someone you know gets sick or injured, you can see why this vote matters. Take a look here for more info.

Your vote in local city or district council elections can affect things like public transport, roading, and even when your rubbish is collected. Your vote will help choose your councillors and the mayor.

Your vote in any regional council election can affect things like how waterways, air pollution, and other aspects of the environment are managed in your part of the country.

Get more info about your local council or how local government works

In a general election you get two votes – your party vote and your electorate vote.

The party (or parties) that get to govern - together with all the members of parliament - get to make decisions that affect your life in big ways every day, so it’s a big deal.

Your party vote helps choose who gets into parliament and who forms a government. Parties will get a share of seats in parliament in line with their share of party votes.  Your electorate vote helps choose who represents you and the part of the country you live in.