What actions, if any, has the Minister taken, or asked the Electoral Commission to take, to ensure New Zealanders are aware of the voter enrolment changes due to the Electoral Amendment Act 2025?

Answer

The Electoral Commission is an independent Crown entity, which are generally independent of government policy. In my most recent Letter of Expectations, dated 17 March 2025, I requested that the Commission ‘continue preparing for the delivery of a robust and efficient 2026 General Election’. In my written feedback on the Commission’s draft Statement of Performance Expectations and Statement of intent, dated 20 May 2025, I indicated that ‘I expect the additional funding secured through Budget 2025 will enable the Commission to appropriately progress preparation for robust election delivery and modernisation, including implementing legislative change’.