NZ Elections will be held this year on a Saturday before 15th November 2008. Below is how to ensure you are registered and what else is relevant for the big day.
Please note that the easiest way to cast a vote from overseas is to complete the voting papers (which aren't available until 2 1/2 weeks out from Election Day) and post to the Chief Electoral Office in NZ. More importantly, votes cannot be cast electronically and voting papers are not automatically sent to voters who are overseas. Basically you need to enrol or ensure you are enrolled, then download the voting package 2.5 weeks before the election and either fax or post back to the Electoral Office in NZ.
It will take a great effort to ensure all our family/whanau overseas fully understand what the voting process is. Please forward to your family & friends living or away overseas so they are fully informed on what it will take to cast their vote.
Voting OverseasHelpful website:
www.elections.org.nz/voting/votingsub/how-vote-overseas.htmlWho can vote from overseas?
You can vote if you are enrolled and:
you are a New Zealand citizen and have visited New Zealand within the last three years, or
you are a permanent resident of New Zealand and have visited New Zealand in the last 12 months.
You can enrol or update your enrolment details online
http://www.elections.org.nz/Overseas voters will be able to obtain voting papers from 2 ½ weeks before Election Day in one of the following ways:
Download their voting papers from the internet
http://www.elections.org.nz/Apply for postal voting papers
Overseas voters will be able to return your voting papers in one of the following ways:
Fax their voting papers to the Chief Electoral Office
Post or courier their voting papers to the Chief Electoral Office
Post, courier or hand deliver their voting papers to the nearest overseas post
How can I find out more?
For questions about voting from overseas email
overseas@elections.org.nzFor questions about enrolling email
enrol@elections.org.nzFrom within New Zealand call 0800 36 76 56
From overseas call +64 4 495 0030.
New Zealanders will be affected by new US entry rules from 12th January 2009. You must register online at least three days before arrival in the US, with the electronic information taking the place of written forms filled in during your flight (designed to speed up the process in which travellers enter the US by replacing the current green waiver form (I-94W)). The rules will apply to passport-holders from countries like New Zealand, which do not require visas to enter the US. Each travel authorisation is expected to last two years.
