Byelection is likely to buck national trend

Advanced voting for Saturday's Northland byelection is under way, with the booth in Reyburn St, Whangarei, with advanced voting already twice the number of last year's general election. Photo / Michael Cunningham

The buzz and controversy that has seen the Northland byelection dubbed a "buy election" might see a voting trend bucked in more ways than one.

National trends show byelections do not attract the same turnout as general elections but already in Northland more than twice the number of advance votes have been made than during November's general election.

By the end of Saturday, 5526 advanced votes had been cast, compared with 2294 at the same stage in 2014.

Monday's total of 45,578 people on the Northland roll is also expected to increase during the next few days, with Northland Registrar of Electors Deborah Darton reminding voters there are just a few days to go until the byelection on Saturday.

In the 2014 general election, 35,707 people voted, with National candidate Mike Sabin winning by a margin of 9300 against next highest, Labour's Willow-Jean Prime. The byelection, expected to cost taxpayers up to $1 million, was forced by the resignation of Mr Sabin last month.

In this byelection race New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is giving the National Party a run for its money, with Labour and other parties trailing in the headline contest.

While some pundits say it is shaping up to be one of the closest calls in the region's history, time is running out for people who want to vote but are not enrolled. Anyone not enrolled by Friday afternoon cannot do so on election day.

"Everyone enrolled in the Northland general electorate should have received their EasyVote packs in the mail by now," Ms Darton said.

"If your EasyVote pack hasn't turned up in your letterbox, you need to enrol or update your details now. Remember, only those enrolled on the general roll in the Northland electorate can vote in the byelection."

To be eligible, they must be over 18 years old, a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident who has lived in New Zealand continuously for 12 months at some time and been living in the Northland electorate for more than one month.

Maori enrolling for the first time can choose whether to go on the Maori roll or the general roll, Ms Darton said. "If you enrol now and choose the Maori roll, you will be in the Te Tai Tokerau electorate and won't be able to vote in this byelection."

Around 300 paid staff will be working in 84 voting places or electoral headquarters on Saturday. Enrolment forms are available at all advance voting places and PostShops, or can be completed online to print and return.

For a list of voting places see www.elections.org.nz/events/2015-northland-election-0/information-northland-voters#voting-places.

The full list of candidates is:

Adrian Bonner (Independent), Joe Carr (Focus New Zealand), Robin Grieve (Act Party), Maki Herbert (Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party), Adam Holland (Independent), Mark Osborne (National Party), Rob Painting (Climate Party), Mr Peters (New Zealand First Party), Rueben Taipari Porter (Mana Movement), Ms Prime (Labour Party) and Bruce Rogan (Independent).