Party registration review

We must review a political party’s registration if it gets less than 4% of first preference votes at a general  election. This is calculated by averaging the results from all the electorates the party ran in.

We may also review a party for other reasons. For example, if we think the party is no longer operating or may not have 500 members.

Registration review process

  • Step 1: Tell the party

    We will tell a registered political party when it is under review.

    We will ask the party to give us information and documents to support the review.

    This may include a list with details of at least 500 current members.

    The party must give us these documents within 30 days. If they do not, we must deregister the party.

  • Step 2: Check a sample of party members

    Over 4 weeks, we will contact a random sample of party members to check if they are eligible.

    If we can confirm enough members, the party meets the rules and can stay registered.

    If we cannot confirm enough members, we then check all 500 members.

  • Step 3 (optional): Check party has 500 eligible members

    If the party does not pass Step 2, we contact all members. We do this to check that at least 500 members meet the rules for the party to stay registered.

    • Outcome of a review

    We decide whether a party remains registered or is deregistered. A party that is deregistered cannot register again until after the next general election.

    Information for party members

    If you are a member of a party under review, the party may give us your name and contact details. We use this information to check your membership.

    We handle all personal information we receive in line with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014.

    Party re-registration

    Registered political parties (RPPs) must re-register every 4 years. The next re-registration will be in 2028. We will contact RPP's before the process begins and explain what they need to do.

    More information

    Read the determination on member verification for political party registration.

    There is more information about political party reviews in Section 52 of the Electoral Act 2002.