The Department of Internal Affairs is reminding all people intending to stand as candidates in this year’s Local Body Elections that they must be New Zealand citizens.

“A requirement of the Local Electoral Act is that all candidates for Local Body Elections must be New Zealand citizens at the time of their nomination,” says Jeff Montgomery, Registrar-General, Births, Deaths and Marriages.

The Department of Internal Affairs is responsible for managing the citizenship process. New Zealand citizens must meet a variety of criteria including good character requirements, length of residence in New Zealand and proficiency with the English language. All citizenship applicants must attend a citizenship ceremony (a ceremony can be public or private) to become a New Zealand citizen.

“Those people intending to put themselves forward as candidates at local elections who are unsure of their status or who need to apply for citizenship, should contact the Department of Internal Affairs. Potential candidates should contact the Department as soon as possible and should allow at least 10 working days for their citizenship submission to be processed,” says Mr Montgomery.

The nomination period for candidates opens on 19 July and closes at 12 noon on 16 August 2019. Nominations must be lodged with the relevant council’s electoral officer.
Useful links:
Contact DIA about citizenship:
https://www.dia.govt.nz/Contact-us#Citizenship

Further information about citizenship in New Zealand:
https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/nz-citizenship/

Key dates for Local Elections
http://www.localcouncils.govt.nz/lgip.nsf/wpg_URL/About-Local-Government-Participate-in-Local-Government-About-your-2019-local-elections

Local Government New Zealand and Society of Local Government Managers’ VOTE 2019 Campaign.
https://www.lgnz.co.nz/news-and-media/2019-media-releases/local-leaders-urged-to-consider-election-run-early/
https://www.lgnz.co.nz/vote2019/

Society of Local Government Managers’ guide to local body elections
https://www.solgm.org.nz/Article?Action=View&Article_id=130

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