With just over a week until voters head to the polls here in Aotearoa New Zealand, Gladys Hartson suggests we get excited about election day!
I’m trying to remember if I’ve ever been excited about a general election in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Back in the day, election day was a special occasion. You would make a day of it with family and friends, catch up with the neighbours while lining up to cast your vote.
My husband and I in past elections would walk down to the local polling booth, cast our vote, and head for a coffee afterwards to discuss who we voted for and who we think will win. I know times have changed and the hustle and bustle of life takes priority.
I was surprised to see the caretaker PM and other political candidates have already cast their vote. Perhaps they were so excited they wanted to vote early.
I find myself wanting others to feel that excitement when it comes to voting and dissecting political party policies, taking a look at the trends from previous elections, comparing them to what is happening now, separating fact from the spin, and everything in between.
Then comes election night, the results come in and, if it’s anything like the 2023 election, we are in for some surprises along the way. Some we predicted, others we didn’t see coming. Exciting stuff.
To the Pacific region we only have to look at the 2021 and 2022 elections in Fiji and Samoa. Voreqe Frank Bainimarama who led the country after seizing power in 2006 during a coup was voted out after 16 years at the helm. Another former PM and coup leader Sitiveni Rabuka was returned to power.
Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi led the government for more than 20 years and was voted out by new party Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) led by his former Deputy PM Fiame Naomi Mataafa. That’s the power of your vote.
During this election campaign I’ve seen a lot of billboards, and a lot of flags here in Auckland (some are bigger than some cars people are driving around in). Flags of Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, PNG, Fiji and New Zealand on display because the Rugby League World Cup competition is underway in Australia.
Parts of Auckland have been transformed into parade central as the countdown begins to the grand final. Now imagine if we could just get that same level of excitement for the general election.
Advance voting began this week and for those overseas. If you voted, congratulations! I’m also excited for my nephew who is among thousands of 18 year olds who will cast their vote for the first time.
But spare a thought for those who missed the deadline to register to vote by Sunday 25th October. This was due to a law change made by the coalition government in December 2025. Of the 13 changes passed into law via the ‘Electoral Amendment Act 2025’, the key one stipulated that the last day to enrol to vote will be 13 days before election day to allow the Commission to complete enrolment processing before election day.
Translation: if you missed this date you don’t get to vote.There are already stories online about people being turned away because they did not register in time. I suspect more stories will come to light.
However, in some positive news, according to the Electoral commission, 91.5 percent of the estimated eligible population are enrolled. 66.7 percent of 18-24 year olds are enrolled, which is an increase of 53.9 percent at the end of July.
So, come November 7, will we return the current coalition government led by National, ACT and NZ First back into power? Or will Labour win back the hot seat with potential coalition partners, The Greens and Te Pati Maori?
Much has been made of a minor party, The Opportunity Party, that barely registered at previous elections and is now, according to some polls, closer to gaining that elusive 5 percent threshold to enter into the pearly gates of the beehive that has eluded so many other minor parties. Exciting, right?
As for Pasifika candidates, it’s great to see so many putting their hands up to take part in wanting to help shape the future of this country. Full respect to you all, dealing with the good and bad that comes with a political campaign.
There is a collective of Pasifika MPs currently in Parliament, and while it would be good to not only see them returned it’s also a chance for new blood, a new wave of Pasifika politicians across the political divide. By the way, there are 17 political parties standing in the general election.
We are spoiled for choice with campaign content: Leaders/candidate debates, podcasts, political commentators giving analysis and breaking down the poll numbers. Parties make promises while pointing out other parties’ failures. There are short snappy reels highlighting the best and worst bits. Is this exciting? Not sure. Is it entertaining? That’s up for debate.
Already a candidate standing for the Labour party, Kerrin Leone, was forced to resign, but her name will still appear on the voting paper for the electorate of Tamaki Makaurau. She could still win and run as an independent. If Labour wins, could we have our very first Pacific Minister of Finance in Barbara Edmonds? That would be an exciting outcome.
NZ First could have a former All Black Captain Taine Randell and former National MP and Minister for Pacific Peoples Alfred Ngaro join their ranks as potential new MPs. How exciting, a former All Black Captain. Can you see the headlines?
I concede it is hard to get excited by this election when people are dealing with the reality of life beyond the headlines, billboards and political slogans.
We have a cost of living crisis. Families, individuals, young people and an aging population are doing it tough trying to get on with life. Unemployment rates are high, especially amongst Pacific peoples, specifically our youth. The state of our education system, housing, homelessness, a poor health system with a shortage of health professionals and resources. Then there is how to keep people crossing the ditch to Australia and beyond for greener pastures. Support for small businesses… the list is long.
There is a lot of work to do for the next 120 MPs we will vote into office. We expect they will do what they promised and campaigned on.
Perhaps that is why I want us to get excited. I came across this quote from a content creator on Tik Tok, KT: “Voting is like catching a bus. A party might not exactly take you where you want to go, so vote for whoever will get you closest to your destination.”
Maybe that’s more aspirational than excited. Whatever you decide, get excited enough to get on the bus, train, car, (flags and all) and get to a polling booth and cast your vote! That’s exciting!
Make sure you watch Tagata Pasifika Post Election One Hour Special on Sunday 8 November.
