Official Information Request - 2022 elections

Sent: Tuesday, 20 September 2022 1:18 pm
Subject: LGOIMA request - 2022 elections

I acknowledge your Official Information request of 11 September 2022 regarding the 2022 Elections, and respond below as per your request:

• Does the RDC use an external company to run their 2022 Elections?
  Yes
• If so, please name the company.
  electionz.com
• If so, why does it use an external provider?
  Electionz.com provide election services nationwide with proven experience, accuracy and integrity to be able to provide RLC a cost effective and secure local authority election service. Responsibilities include preparation of the preliminary and final electoral rolls, vote pack preparation and posting, vote count and processing. Rotorua Lakes Council does not have the technical expertise or information technology to undertake this in-house.
• What is the cost of using this company?
  2022 - $182,000
• Prior to using the company, how many Rotorua people were employed for the Rotorua election process?
  Rotorua Lakes Council has used an external company to run the Rotorua elections since 2004. Given the time period that has passed since Council last ran an election in-house, Council cannot provide you with the number of people employed for the election process as per section 17(e) of the Act ‘that the information requested does not exist or cannot be found’.
• How many Rotorua people will this company employ for the 2022 Elections?
  Services engaged for the election by Electionz.com does not directly employ Rotorua locals. Electionz.com provides services across the country for many local authorities and trusts/entities and employ their own staff to deliver the service.
  Written into legislation the Chief Executive has the responsibility to facilitate and foster representative and substantial elector participation in elections and polls held under the Local Electoral Act 2001; (LGA 2002 section 42 (dd)). In accordance with this, Council staff in the Governance and Democracy team, Marketing and Communications team and Chief Executive Office participate in rolls during election time to ensure the legislation is enacted. This includes the role of deputy electoral officer, electoral officials, compliance monitoring and delivery of marketing and communications strategies aimed to engage voters and encourage voters to vote. During the busiest part of the election process there are approximately 15 staff involved who undertake functions alongside their normal duties.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. The Ombudsman’s Office can be contacted by calling 0800 802 602, emailing info@ombudsman.parliament.nz, online at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz, or by post to The Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143

Publication of responses to LGOIMA requests

Please note: Our LGOIMA responses may be published on the Rotorua Lakes Council website after they have been responded to, with requesters’ personal details withheld. If you have any concerns about this please contact the Council on info@rotorualc.nz.

Regards