Registrar of Electors field officers were in the Link at the University of Otago in Dunedin yesterday as part of a national effort to improve the enrolment numbers of those people aged under 30.
"We're out there in the community getting face-to-face with 18 to 24-year-olds across the two Dunedin electorates, to get them enrolled for the election and encouraging them to spread the word about how easy it is," registrar Dee Vickers said.
There were also plans to have field officers at community events, shopping centres, street corners and going door-to-door in the city. The fact that as many as one in four people aged from 18 to 24 were not enrolled to vote was "gravely concerning" Ms Vickers said.
"[For] This age group, right across the country it's the same problem. This age group is apathetic about having their say. With the two electorates [Dunedin North and South] we're missing 12,500 people. They have effectively disenfranchised themselves," Ms Vickers said.
While it was not compulsory to vote, it was required by law that all New Zealand citizens over the age of 18 be enrolled to vote.
Permanent residents who had lived in New Zealand for at least a year must also be enrolled. The names of anyone not enrolled to vote were struck from any petitions bound for Parliament which they had signed.
Electoral Enrolment Centre national manager Murray Wicks said almost 180,000 people under 30 were still not enrolled. The rolls close on October 26 for printing.
"We are urging young people to get enrolled as soon as possible, to ensure they receive an EasyVote pack closer to election day, which will give them all the information they need to vote in the general election and referendum," Mr Wicks said.
People could still enrol after October 26 but they would not receive the EasyVote pack. Those who had not enrolled could do so at post offices, text 3676 or go online to elections.org.nz.
New Zealand goes to the polls on November 26.
- Martin Moore
