Chief Electoral Office (New Zealand)
The Chief Electoral Office of New Zealand was responsible for conducting general elections, by-elections and referendums. It was part of the Ministry of Justice. In a general election year the Office employed returning officers for the 70 electorates. It received returns of donations and election expenses from parliamentary candidates, and also provided information to voters, candidates and parties relating to electoral events.
As of 2008 the Chief Electoral Officer was Robert Peden.
The Chief Electoral Office was one of three agencies involved in the electoral process, along with the Electoral Enrolment Centre and the previous Electoral Commission. A fourth body, the Representation Commission, is appointed once every five years to redraw electoral boundaries.
The Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill was passed in 2010 and established a new independent Electoral Commission which took over the responsibilities of the Chief Electoral Office and the previous Electoral Commission.