Rotorua voters not waiting for election day

Hine Williams and Irikau Grant casting their votes. Photo/ Stephen Parker

With election day around the corner, some Rotorua voters have decided they can't wait any longer to have their say.

Advance voting opened on Monday for those who want to cast their vote before election day, September 23.

Electoral Commission Rotorua returning officer Tracey Curry said the number of people voting early had sky rocketed since the last general election in 2014.

"We're seeing a huge turnout not only in Rotorua but nationally as well and I think this is because of the attention and increased awareness surrounding this year's election," she said.

In 2014, 30 per cent of voters participated in advance voting with 23,000 voting on the first day across the country.

This year, it's expected that 50 per cent of voters will take part in advanced voting, with 40,000 having already voted on the first day.

Irikau Grant and Hine Williams cast their votes at the voting booth in the Rotorua Central Mall on Wednesday and said it was convenient for them to vote now.

"Work gets quite busy so it was easy to get it done today," Mr Grant said.

He said he thought voters needed to remember that some things took time.

"I like politicians who walk the walk and do what they promise.

"Although a lot of people criticise what some have done in their current term they need to remember that it takes time for things to work," Mr Grant said.

Also casting his vote early was Eddie Creighton who is heading overseas and thought now was the right time to do it.

"I care about my finances, my age group and keeping the waterways clean, so that's what influenced my decision.

"If you're going to moan, don't moan unless you vote," Mr Creighton said.

Advance voting locations
Open now:
1199 Fenton St, Rotorua
Rotorua Central Mall, Shop 3
Open from Monday:
Ngongotaha Community Hall, 5 School Rd
Mokoia Community Hall, 297 Vaughan Rd
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Mokoia Drive