School Board Elections

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Date change for triennial school board elections

Triennial Elections for school boards are being moved from May 2022 to later next year.

The elections will now be held between 5 September and 23 September 2022, with the common (or preferred date) being 7 September.

It is hoped that holding elections later in the year will reduce pressure in the early part of 2022 and help to increase participation in the elections.

The change in date will affect the term of service for some board members, who may be asked to extend their current term.

For more information, please go to the Ministry’s website.

If you have a question or concern about an election process at your school, please email us: electionsadvice@nzsta.org.nz

Important message:

The timeframe for any election is now 63 days. This includes all by-elections for parent, staff and student representatives. Use the online election planner tool and download the updated Returning Officers’ Handbook.

View the board elections regulations - changes here.

Elections

NZSTA works in partnership with the Ministry of Education to support the school board election process and promote community engagement and participation.

School board elections involve the largest number of candidates and voters of any democratic process in New Zealand.

Triennial Elections: Every three years, state and state-integrated school communities elect their parent and staff representatives to help govern their schools.

2022 Triennial Elections: The Minister has determined that these school board member elections must be held on and during the period from: 5 September 2022 until 23 September 2022.

The “Common,” or recommended Election Day date is Wednesday 7 September 2022. Using this date is optional for your board, but it ensures that key dates in the election timetable fall on weekdays and during term time.

Use the online election planner tool to work out the key dates in your 2022 Triennial Elections timetable.

Staggered (mid-term) Elections: Some boards opt into the staggered (mid-term) election cycle. This means that these schools hold triennial elections for some of their parent representatives and mid-term elections for the remaining parent representatives. The mid-terms are held 18 months after the triennial elections. The next mid-terms are due to be held towards the end of 2023. You can find out more here.

Student Representative Elections: Boards of state and state-integrated schools with students above Year 9 must hold a student representative election in September each year. Early in Term 1 of 2022 we will post the recommended date for the 2022 Student Representative Elections. You can find out more about the student elections. You can find out more here.

After the elections
View information on welcoming your new board members here.