Inquiry into the 2017 General Election and 2016 Local Elections

The Justice Committee has initiated an inquiry into national and local elections in New Zealand. It is an established convention that the committee undertakes a cross-party inquiry every three years to review our electoral law and make recommendations to Parliament about how to conduct future elections.

An important part of this process is to hear from the public. Submissions are now open on Parliament’s website and will close on Friday, 21 September. We welcome public debate and submissions focusing on the terms of reference that the committee has agreed.

The inquiry aims “to examine the law and administrative procedures for the conduct of parliamentary elections in light of the 2017 General Election, and local elections in light of the 2016 Local Government Elections, with particular reference to:

• The increasing number of New Zealanders choosing to cast an early vote prior to election day.

• The increased importance and use of social media in campaigning, advertising, and expression

of political opinions.
• The statutory and regulatory implications of these changes.

• The increased placement of polling booths in venues such as shopping malls and supermarkets.”

Justice Committee chairperson Raymond Huo says that “submissions received about the Inquiry into the 2016 Local Authority Elections, which the committee initiated in the 51st Parliament, will be considered as part of this new inquiry”.

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