Many unaware of upcoming election

NEW ZEALAND HERALD and NZPA: A drive to get voters enrolled for this year's election starts today as a survey reveals that many people are unaware an election is looming.

Retail manager Cynthia Teoh, 37, an immigrant from Singapore, was blissfully unaware the election is looming - even though she has received letters from the electoral commission asking her to enrol.

"I thought they were just standard letters sent out to everyone, how would I know it meant an election was going to be held?" Ms Teoh, who moved to New Zealand in 2006, said. "Besides, I also feel that I don't know enough about New Zealand politics to vote or to even enrol to vote."

Ms Teoh is not alone, and such ignorance and apathy is indeed widespread - and it is against such a backdrop that a nationwide drive starts today to get voters enrolled.

A Research New Zealand study found 55 per cent of Pacific Islanders, 53 per cent of people aged 18 to 24 years, 45 per cent of those of Asian descent and 41 per cent of Maori did not know it was an election year.

The study did not include Pakeha New Zealanders because previous surveys had shown these four groups as "most disengaged with the elections", an Electoral Enrolment Centre spokesperson said.

In 2005, 72 per cent of all eligible voters knew at this stage it was election year, but that has dropped to less than two-thirds for 2008.

National MP Pansy Wong blamed the Electoral Finance Act for contributing to the low level of awareness for this year's election.

"Most MPs, if they're honest, will say that we are frustrated with the act because we don't know what we can and cannot say," she said. "Most are apprehensive about even mentioning that this is election year in their communications and newsletters because it can be interpreted as being part of their campaigning, and this really doesn't help with heightening awareness."

The Electoral Enrolment Centre is preparing to post packs to all those currently enrolled - 92.35 per cent of the estimated eligible population. "Our enrolment drive is a key step to getting New Zealanders ready for the election, but we are doing it at a time when research tells us there are low levels of awareness," Centre national manager Murray Wicks said.

An estimated 237,000 people - 108,800 of them aged 18-24 years - are not enrolled.

People who are 18 or older can enrol, provided they are a New Zealander or permanent resident and have lived in New Zealand for more than one year continuously.

To get an enrolment form or update their details, voters can text their name and address to 3676, visit any PostShop or Citizens Advice Bureau or visit elections.org.nz.