Electoral Enrolment Centre national manager Murray Wicks said yesterday there were a total of 3,004,313 people enrolled across the country by Monday night, but an estimated further 270,000 people needed to enrol.
The largest number of the people not enrolled are estimated to be in the 18-24 age group, with 114,000 enrolments still not completed, which is about a quarter of the total in this age group.
Electorates held by the leaders of the two main parties reflect this, with National leader John Key's electorate, Helensville, showing 76.87% of the eligible voters enrolled in the 18-24 age group by last Friday, while Mt Roskill, the electorate of Labour leader Phil Goff, has 70.21% coverage.
Mr Wicks said enrolments generally were tracking slightly behind where they were at the same stage of the process in 2008 by about 3.1%.
Asked whether this was a reasonable result given the recent distractions for prospective voters, Mr Wicks agreed it could be worse.
While people had been exposed to electoral advertising during the Rugby World Cup, they were less keen on filling in forms than sitting on the edge of their seats "anxious", he said.
While not enrolling by today did not mean people would miss out on a vote - enrolments can be taken until the day before the November 26 election - people who enrolled after today would have to cast a special declaration vote.
Mr Wicks said this could take five times as long as an ordinary easy vote and meant filling in extra forms.
In Dunedin, registrar of electors for the Dunedin North and Dunedin South electorates Dee Vickers said "quite a lot of forms" had been coming through the office in the last week.
She was expecting a "deluge" today.
Ms Vickers had noted there was an increase in the number of people asking about the referendum on the electoral system - "people are starting to realise there is one".
Field workers in Dunedin North were making every effort to increase the number of young voters enrolled.
One worker who had visited university hostels had received 14 completed forms in an hour.
That was "really good", but many students were now leaving the city for home and needed to ensure they were enrolled in the correct place.
Dunedin North has been running second to last nationally in the percentage of those 18-24 enrolled, with 50.11% of estimated eligible voters enrolled by last Friday. Auckland Central's figures were 45%.
The best electorate in the South for young enrolments is Invercargill, with 91.43% of its eligible voters signed up. Nationally, its percentage is fourth highest.
Wairarapa has the highest enrolments for this age group with 94.21%.
To get on to the printed roll up until 5pm today, people can complete enrolment forms at any post shop or email enrolme@ elections.org.nz. Completed enrolments can also be faxed to (03) 477-3175.
There is a national telephone number (0800 36 76 56 ) for people who need advice. There is also a Facebook page called I vote New Zealand.
