There has been a 35 percent increase in the number of New Zealanders living overseas enrolled to vote in this year's election.
Electoral Enrolment centre national manager Murray Wicks said at the start of its recent enrolment drive that 47,760 were enrolled with overseas addresses, compared with 35,650 at the same time in 2005.
Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) recently said the number of New Zealanders leaving for Australia in the past year had hit the highest levels since 2001.
"New Zealanders overseas might be out of sight, but for a large number of them New Zealand is certainly not out of mind," Mr Wicks said.
The enrolment drive would target these people, and all those overseas or going overseas who are eligible, to enrol and keep their enrolment details up-to-date.
Mr Wicks said the 2008 enrolment figures showed:
* Almost 47,800 (35,650 in 2005) - a 35 percent increase in people enrolled to vote with an overseas postal address;
* Over 28,500 (22,000 in 2005) - a 30 percent increase in people enrolled to vote with an Australian postal address;
* Over 8600 (5900 in 2005) - a 48 percent increase in people enrolled to vote with a postal address in England.
* Close to 8000 are aged 35 to 39 years, with around 6240 aged 18 to 29 years.
* In 2005 28,145 votes were cast from overseas.
