With local elections fast approaching on 11 October, we looked across the Wellington region to see how Upper Hutt’s voter enrolment rates stack up and where we might want to focus our efforts.

Upper Hutt: 90.74% enrolled

As of 31 July 2025, Upper Hutt enrolled 33,955 eligible voters out of an estimated 37,311, a solid enrolment rate of 90.74%.

A strong turnout overall, but we’re mid-pack in our region.

Here’s the regional snapshot:

Council	Enrolment %	Total enrolled	Eligible population
Whole of NZ	88.14%	3,611,502	4,097,232
South Wairarapa District Council	96.73%	9,393	9,711
Porirua City Council	93.69%	43,769	46,717
Kapiti District Council	93.17%	44,094	47,327
Wellington City Council	91.03%	164,841	181,086
Upper Hutt City Council	90.74%	33,857	37,311
Hutt City Council	89.56%	80,387	89.761
Masterton District Council	87.65%	20,370	23,239

What does this tell us?

Upper Hutt is sitting just above the national average, but behind nearly all our neighbouring councils, including Kāpiti, Porirua, and South Wairarapa, which are leading the pack.

This is a chance for us to lift our game. While 90% is solid, every single vote matters, especially in local elections where decisions affect everyday things like roads, parks, housing, climate action, and community services.

What’s next?

If you enrolled online before 1 August, you’ll receive your voting papers in the post between 9 and 22 September, so look out for them in your letterboxes.

If you missed the enrolment deadline, you can still enrol online (https://vote.nz/enrolling/enrol-or-update/enrol-or-update-online/) and then email our Deputy Electoral Officer to make a request to cast a special vote (elections@uhcc.govt.nz) but you won’t receive papers in the mail.

Voting closes 12 noon, Saturday 11 October.

Let’s keep pushing for enrolment

We’re calling on everyone to check their enrolment, encourage others to enrol, and most importantly vote early.

Know someone who’s just moved to Upper Hutt or is between the age of 18 and 34? Let them know it’s not too late to take part. They can enrol online and then get in touch with our Deputy Electoral Officer to request a special vote.

Every voice counts and in order to have your say, it starts with enrolment to vote today.

Source: Upper Hutt City Council

20/08/25