Invercargill City Council has joined forces with community groups, to ensure greater accessibility and convenience for voters during this year’s local body elections.

A series of pop-up voting events had been scheduled to remove potential barriers preventing the community from casting their vote.

Invercargill City Council Deputy Electoral Officer Michael Morris said the pop-up voting events had been spread out across a number of locations and would be held at various times, to reach as many people as possible.

This week, Council held a pop-up voting event at Te Tomairangi Marae in conjunction with Ngā Kete Matauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust.

Additional events alongside the Pacific Island Advisory Charitable Trust, Murihiku Marae, Southern Queens Boxing Gym, Mīharo Murihiku Trust, and the Southern Institute of Technology will be held in the final days leading to the election, he said.

“We’re thrilled to be able to work with a variety of community organisations to make voting easier and more convenient, regardless of people’s circumstances.

We really appreciate the support we’ve had from those organisations that have put their hands up to help,” he said.

Previous pop-ups had also been held at Murihiku Polyfest, St Mary’s Basilica, Rowena Jackson, Walmsley House, Vickery Court, Eastside Baptist Church, Rangatahi Zone (Bluff), Splash Palace, the Southern Institute of Technology, and Stadium Southland.

Voting for Invercargill City Council, Bluff Community Board, and the Invercargill Licensing Trust was set to close at midday on Saturday, 11 October.

Local body elections are held throughout New Zealand every three years. “We wanted to look for ways we could meet people where they are, and at times that might be more convenient for them, to ensure that we can get as many people in Invercargill and Bluff out voting.

Democracy is a hard-won right. The decisions made around the Council table impact us every day: from the roads we drive on, to the parks we visit, the water that comes from our taps, and the facilities available in our community,” Morris said.

“By not voting you are allowing others in the community to decide our collective future, without you.” Votes could also be returned to the Election Hub in Invercargill Central, Te Hīnaki – Civic Building, Bluff Service Centre, and Environment Southland on North Rd.

They can also be placed in the orange Vote Murihiku bins located at Invercargill City Libraries and Archives, New World Elles Rd and Windsor, Mitre 10 Mega, The Warehouse, Newfield 4 Square, Ascot 4 Square, Bluff 4 Square, Woolworths Tay St and Waikiwi, ILT Stadium Southland, E Hayes and Sons, and Plaza Supervalue.

The final day to enrol to vote was Friday, 10 October. Those who had not received their voting papers, or had not updated their details on the electoral roll, were also able to cast a Special Vote, he said.

For more information about candidates, special votes, and the elections, visit Elections 2025 - Invercargill City Council.

Pop-up voting event details:

Monday, 6 October: Murihiku Marae (Tramway Rd), 10.30am – 3.30pm

Tuesday, 7 October: Mīharo Murihiku (Don St), 4pm – 6pm

Wednesday, 8 October: Southern Institute of Technology (Tay St), 11.45am – 1pm

Thursday, 9 October: Southern Queens Boxing Gym (Nith St), 7pm – 9pm