Serving locally: New Zealand.

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Moraph for Good · Voice

Serving locally: New Zealand

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/voice/serving-locally

Local services depend on residents who give some of their time, from one day at an election to a seat on an advisory board. This sheet helps you find a role that fits.

Ways to serve

Advisory boards and commissions on subjects such as parks, libraries or accessibility.
Election work, run by the official election office.
School governing boards, community councils and volunteer roles with public services.

Ask before you apply

Who is eligible, and are there background checks?
How much time does it take, and what training is provided?
Is it paid, or are expenses covered?
Are there rules about political activity?

Where to look

Your local government’s website, under boards, committees or vacancies.
Your official election office for election work.
The official sources on the back of this sheet.

Stay impartial

Election workers serve every voter equally.
Questions about voting go to your official election office.

In New Zealand

Jury service. If you’re enrolled to vote, you can be asked to serve on a jury once every 2 years. If you’re chosen, a summons comes in the mail and tells you what to do and when to be at court.
If you can’t attend. You can use your summons form to apply to delay jury service for up to 12 months or to be excused. If you don’t do jury service and haven’t been excused, you can be fined.
Serving as a juror. A juror’s role is to decide on the facts after hearing all the evidence. Jurors must not talk about the trial with anyone outside the jury, research the case themselves or post about it on social media, and must keep what happened in the jury room confidential.
Local representation. Local elections are held every 3 years by postal vote and are run by local councils. Depending on where you live, they can include city or district councils, community boards and licensing trusts.
Having your say. Govt.nz has a consultations listing where you can give feedback to local or central government on topics they are consulting about, before decisions are made.

Official places to check:

Govt.nz: www.govt.nz/browse/law-crime-and-justice/courts/jury-service
Govt.nz: www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/enrol-and-vote-in-an-election/vote-in-a-local-election
Govt.nz: www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/consultations-have-your-say

More free official help in New Zealand: moraph.org/commons/help/civic-engagement/nz

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 20 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/voice/serving-locally