75 days ago

How to cast a special vote in a local election

Hira Siddiqui from Citizens Advice Bureau Pakuranga/Eastern Manukau

✅✅ You may need to cast a special vote in a local election if:
• you enrolled after the roll closed on 1 August 2025
• you are on the unpublished electoral roll
• your new address on the electoral roll is out of date, and you have been living at a new address for at least a month
• your voting papers are lost or damaged
• you are voting as a ratepayer elector (for a property you own that is in a different council area to the one you live in).

If you need to cast a special vote in the local election, you can do this by mail or in person at a ‘special voting location’.

Your local council will publish a list of special voting locations, and when they are open, on their website. You can find your local council website here: lgnz.co.nz.... The locations are usually public libraries.

If you cannot get to a special voting location, you can contact the Electoral Officer at your council to request a special voting pack. Do this as soon as possible so you can meet the deadline for posting your vote by mail, which is 7 October 2025. After this date, votes must be returned to council’s secure ballot boxes by midday 11 October 2025 when voting closes.

You can find out who is running for council in your local area and what they stand for here: policy.nz/2025

For more details, visit: cab.org.nz/article/KB00045122
Original post credit: Citizens Advice Bureau NZ: www.cab.org.nz...

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More messages from your neighbours
5 days ago

Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.

We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?

Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.

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Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
  • 53.1% Yes
    53.1% Complete
  • 46.9% No
    46.9% Complete
1633 votes
8 days ago

Aucklanders, we want to know: How are you feeling about the current property market?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

New Zealand homeowners are now more likely to sell at a loss than at any time since 2013, and if you’re in Auckland or Wellington, the odds are even higher.

But there is a silver lining: buyers are still in a strong position when it comes to negotiating prices.

So we’re curious…
How are you feeling about the current property market?

If you’re keen to dive into the details, Deborah Morris breaks down all the latest insights.

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19 hours ago

‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...

The Team from New Zealand Police

As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.

Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.

There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”

A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105

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