TL;DR: If you’re concerned about your safety or your family’s, you can apply to go on New Zealand’s confidential unpublished roll. Your name and address won’t appear on the public roll or the printed roll at voting places. You’ll need supporting information, such as a protection order, a restraining order, or a letter from police, an employer, lawyer or advocate. Apply via vote.nz/unpublished or call 0800 36 76 56. You can still vote.
Who can apply
According to the Electoral Commission, anyone concerned about their own or their family’s personal safety can apply. You "don’t lose the right to vote" by not wanting your details public.
Evidence that helps
You don’t need all of these, but include something:
- A letter explaining why your work or circumstances put you at risk, from an employer, lawyer, social worker, advocate or someone of standing in your community.
- A copy of a protection order under the Family Violence Act 2018.
- A copy of a restraining order under the Harassment Act 1997.
- Information from a police or corrections officer about the risk.
How to apply
- Get the form at vote.nz/unpublished, or call 0800 36 76 56 to have one posted.
- Fill it in and return it:
- Email: unpublished.roll@elections.govt.nz (a scan or photo is fine)
- Post: Electoral Commission, PO Box 190, Wellington 6140
- Not enrolled or need to update? Also complete an enrolment form.
What’s hidden
Your details are kept secure, aren’t given to anyone, and don’t appear on the public roll or the printed roll used at voting places.
Voting on the unpublished roll
You can vote anywhere in a general election or by-election, but you’ll cast a special vote with an extra form confirming your electorate. For local elections, ask your council’s electoral officer to send voting papers.
Keep it current
Tell the Electoral Commission about name or address changes by submitting a new enrolment form. You can ask to return to the public roll if things change.
Background from the Privacy Commissioner
A Privacy Commissioner blog on the unpublished roll explains the legal basis: under section 115 of the Electoral Act, the Electoral Commission can put you on the unpublished roll if publishing your details would be prejudicial to your safety or your family’s. Points worth knowing:
- Only the Registrar of Electors can see the unpublished roll.
- It’s used mainly by people with protection or restraining orders, and by Police staff and their families.
- Nearly 16,000 people were on it in 2014, according to Ministry of Justice figures cited then.
- You stay on it until your circumstances change; the Registrar periodically confirms your details.
- Because you’re not on the printed roll, you cast a special vote, before or on election day.
The blog dates from 2014, so check vote.nz for current forms and rules, but the principles haven’t changed.
Other ways your address leaks
The roll is just one source. Check breach exposure with our free exposure checker, and if someone has posted your details online, see what to do about doxxing.
If you’re in danger, call 111.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can see the unpublished electoral roll in NZ?
Only the Registrar of Electors, according to the Privacy Commissioner. You cast a special vote because you’re not on the printed roll.
Who can go on the unpublished electoral roll in NZ?
Anyone concerned about their own or their family’s personal safety.
What evidence do I need?
Supporting information such as a protection order, restraining order, or a letter from police, an employer, lawyer, social worker or advocate.
How do I apply for the unpublished roll?
Get the form at vote.nz/unpublished or call 0800 36 76 56, then email it to unpublished.roll@elections.govt.nz or post it.
Can I still vote if I’m on the unpublished roll?
Yes. You’ll cast a special vote and complete an extra form.
Sources
- Privacy Commissioner: Confidentiality and the unpublished electoral roll
- Electoral Commission: Concerned for your personal safety (2026)