About 78 percent of eligible voters in New Zealand cast a vote in the most recent general election held in 2023, according to official results.

Quick Scoop: What percentage of NZ voted?

In the 2023 New Zealand general election, voter turnout was reported at roughly 78 percent of enrolled voters. This figure refers to the proportion of people on the electoral roll who actually cast a valid vote, and it’s broadly in line with New Zealand’s historically strong participation in national elections.

A few helpful clarifications:

  • This percentage is for the general (national) election, not local council elections.
  • Turnout is calculated as: number of votes cast ÷ number of people enrolled to vote.
  • New Zealand uses a mixed‑member proportional (MMP) voting system, but that does not change how turnout percentage itself is calculated.

Context and recent trends

  • Turnout in 2023 (about 78 percent) was lower than the unusually high turnout in the 2020 election, which was boosted by the unique context of the COVID‑19 pandemic and strong public engagement.
  • Over the past several decades, New Zealand’s turnout has tended to sit in the mid‑70s to high‑70s percent range, which is relatively high compared with many other democracies.

Mini FAQ

  1. Does 78% mean 78% of all adults?
    No. It is 78% of enrolled voters, not of the entire population.
  1. Is this the latest data?
    Yes, as of early 2026 the 2023 general election is the latest completed nationwide vote, since the next general election is scheduled for November
  1. Do local elections have the same turnout?
    No. Local body elections often have significantly lower turnout than general elections, commonly in the 40–50 percent range, depending on the council and year.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.