Referendum forms on way

106,000 voting forms will be arriving in Northland letterboxes from tomorrow. Photo/File.

About 106,000 voting forms for the upcoming citizens-initiated referendum on asset sales will start arriving in Northland letterboxes from tomorrow.

The Government is on an asset sales programme and has already sold part of its stake in the Mighty River Power and Meridian Energy companies but retains 51 per cent ownership.

The citizens-initiated referendum asks the question: "Do you support the Government selling up to 49 per cent of Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power, Genesis Power, Solid Energy and Air New Zealand?"

More than three million voting papers will be sent out nationally from tomorrow as the citizens-initiated referendum gets under way.

While the result of the referendum is non-binding on the Government, it has signalled its intention this week by announcing the sale of 20 per cent of its 70 per cent stake in Air New Zealand.

Voting in the referendum is by post only and people must be enrolled by today to get voting papers, and they will need to be back with the Returning Officer by noon on December 17 to count.

The referendum is required under law after the Labour and Greens-led Keep Our Assets coalition secured 327,224 signatures in a petition this year.

People can check your enrolment details at www.elections.org.nz or phone 0800 36 76 56.

If you have moved house since you last updated your enrolment details, your papers will be sent to your previous address. In that case, you have two options: apply to have your mail redirected at New Zealand Post or online at www.changemyaddress.co.nz, or register to have a replacement voting paper sent to your new or temporary address at www.elections.org.nz.

More info at www.elections.org.nz or on 0800 36 76 56.