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Voting will open next month in a fresh Papatoetoe local board election after a District Court overturned last year's result due to voting irregularities.
Auckland Council elections manager Dale Ofsoske said voters with any concerns during the re-run election should contact Election Services or police.
Safeguards were in place and voters themselves played a critical role in reporting any potential issues, he said.
The court found that 79 voting papers were cast without the intended electors' knowledge, enough to materially affect the board's local election result in 2025.
Lotu Fuli, Manukau ward councillor, has previously urged voters to remain vigilant following the ruling.
The new election is again being conducted using the postal voting system.
Auckland Council and Election Services say they do not have the authority to change the voting method, which is set in legislation.
"If an elector has any concerns, such as suspected irregularities or concerning behaviour during the new election, they can either call my office on 09 973 5212 or, if they feel it's warranted, contact the police or dial *555 on a mobile phone," Ofsoske said.
Voters who do not receive their voting papers, believe their mail may have been interfered with, or are unsure whether their vote has been safely cast are also being asked to take proactive steps.
Ofsoske said eligible voters who had not received their voting pack by 16 March, one week after posting, should contact Election Services to check their eligibility.
Eligibility for the new election is tied to the October 2025 local elections roll.
Residents who moved into the area after 1 August 2025 are not eligible to vote.
Eligible voters who have not received their postal voting pack can also request a special vote by calling Election Services or visiting the Papatoetoe or Manukau libraries, or the electoral office at 198 Federal Street in Auckland City.
Asked about planning for future elections following the court ruling, Ofsoske said decisions about voting methods were being considered at a national level.
"The future of voting methods, such as online voting for local elections, is part of the Terms of Reference for Parliament's Justice Committee inquiry into the 2025 local elections," he said.
Auckland Council says it is working to rebuild awareness and participation during the re-run election, particularly given local concerns about trust in the process.
Oliver Roberts, Auckland Council's Head of Governance Programmes and Policies, said the council was coordinating with libraries and internal teams to raise awareness of the new election and encourage people to look out for their postal vote.
The plan includes posters and flyers at local events, advertising at libraries and bus stops, and promotion through local social media and community pages.
Roberts said outreach efforts would also include a focus on younger voters, who candidates and community members have said may find postal voting unfamiliar or inaccessible.
The outcome of the Papatoetoe election will determine who represents the community on the local board, with four seats vacant.
Twenty candidates are vying for the position on the board.
Election signs are now appearing across the community, with displays permitted from Thursday 5 February. Voting opens on Monday 9 March.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
