Election 2023: Dogs at polling booths

He couldn’t wait till election day, so Hemingway voted on a soggy Saturday last week.

Louie is a cocker spaniel x poodle who voted early in Westgate, Auckland (Kaipara ki Mahurangi electorate). He was even offered his own special ballot paper. Louie has his own ‘gram @spoodlylou if you’d like to check out what he gets up to when not exercising his democratic right. #influenced

If you’re not sporting a faux fur turtleneck to vote like Mason the Italian greyhound are you really even voting?

Moxey is delighted to be advance voting at the Grey Lynn Community Centre in Auckland.

No name sent with this one, but my forensic analysis of the photo reveals that this gorgeous hound is voting at Christchurch South Library.

Tasman the labradoodle and his family are moving from Nelson to Auckland, so stopped in Napier to vote along the way.

Hugo belongs to Claire from Daylight (The Spinoff’s sister studio), who says he’s delighted to have finally reached voting age (that’s one, in case you were wondering). His upright posture and no-nonsense expression suggest Hugo is treating the situation with the gravitas it deserves. Good work, Hugo.

Quinn looks magnificent and I love her pointy ears. Her owner would like to point out that her outfit is not a reflection of her political views.

The excellently named and excellently dressed Tuk Tuk Peanut and Fig are voting for an end to live animal exports and also free biscuits.

This young black lab x border collie cross hates rabbits but loves democracy. He graced a Northland, Wellington voting booth with his ominous stare. We’re sorry, Kevin!

Mr Dexter (first name Mr, last name Dexter) kept an eye on things at Greytown town hall. 10/10 dog, 10/10 swanni.

Things are picking up here and we’ve got a lot of voting dogs coming through so time to speed this up…

Rooster accompanied his flatmate to an early vote and only barked once outside despite hating missing out on important activities.

Balti is a hearing dog with a full-time job and therefore was rather unimpressed by the whole “cast your vote for democracy” fiasco. Word has it he would have rather been at the butcher.

Because tonight will be the night that I will fall for you. Lottie and Darcy stopped by their local voting place in Picton on the way home from a Fall Out Boy concert.

Rata is only three years old but as you can see, she’s mature for her age.

Look at Hazel! This lovely collie cross helped her whole whānau vote at Little River School. Stunning.

Oscar is a groodle and I don’t know what that means (greyhound x poodle??). He was a good boy in Bethlehem, Tauranga.

When was the last time you met a dog (or a person) named Morag? What a delight to see this young buck carrying the name on in Carterton.

Zebby works at the Spinoff part-time, spending a few days in our office a week. He is extremely polite and courteous and sometimes gives people frights by silently standing right next to them without them realising.

A lovely spoodle, Nero is in the Kaipara ki Mahurangi electorate and accompanied her pal to vote at Matua Ngaru School.

Alba has also spent time at the Spinoff office and exercised her democratic right at War Memorial Park, Mt Roskill.

This is Angus. He has some sweet wheels and lives in Raumati Beach.

Nando went with his parents to Christchurch East School and apparently yelled at everyone. You tell ’em, Nando.

Look at Otis, all regal and shiny and posing delicately with the voting sign.

Maeby from Island Bay went for an early morning bush run (brag) and then went to a voting booth with dirt still on her legs. She is busy and doesn’t care for niceties.

Emma looks a bit sick of this campaign and honestly, I get it.

Alfie has nailed this voting shot but is unfortunately being overshadowed by the stunning, handwritten voting sign in the background.

Ivy, Flora and Cocoa put in a team effort to get their people out and voting at Karori Normal School. The photo may have been taken on a potato but the result is still stunning.

What a shot of Gus at Kōwhai Intermediate. Lovely framing, lovely accessories.

Now this is a voting outfit. Twinkle stopped by Edendale Primary School in Sandringham, already dressed for an election party tonight because she just. loves. democracy.

I get it. Sometimes you’re just not ready for a full-body glamour shot. And what better thing to stand behind than a bright orange voting sign.

Look at these two. You just know they up to mischief constantly and couldn’t wait to get and look at all the bright signs.

Molly has decided to show everyone up by getting a blow out on the way to voting in Avondale.

I love this look. Apparently it was “windy” when the photo was taken but I don’t believe it. This is Max and he looks like Jonathan Taylor Thomas.

Is Dr the dog’s full first name or just a title, and Dog is the name? I have questions and I will make an appointment with Dr Dog to ask them.

The Queen may have died but Corgis are still the most royal of dogs. This is Pixel, accompanying his friend to vote at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto.

You’ve all truly outdone yourselves because there are so many dogs in the inbox. We’ll do our very best to feature them all!

Anyway here’s Monty, looking very chill in Fielding.

I love this photo. Pure chaos and murder in those eyes.

All wrapped up in Christchurch and a bit wary of this whole democracy thing, Goose is ready to home.

This image came with no names and just “dogs” in the subject line. Too busy wrangling all the parties together.

Tongue out, loving life, free from feeling of society and inequality. Zola the cavoodle is just here for a good time.

Pearl isn’t sure what the sign means but is happy to check it out anyway.

Chippy stopped in to a voting station on her way to the beach in Whāngarei. A fitting reward.

We’ve had windy dogs in Christchurch and now Wellington has entered the chat. Holly (left) and Phoebe got caught in a “howling gale” in Hataitai but don’t seem too upset by it.

This photo may look like it’s from 2004 but it is in fact from two hours ago, when Lou and Miff exercised their democratic right (to go for a walk).

Ruby doesn’t like the outdoors but braved the streets of Remuera to help her pals cast a vote.

Subject line: Dog

Body text: Dog

Momo voted early in Grey Lynn and really thought there’d be more action.

This time Max is in Northcote and is preparing for a big night in front of the TV.

Look at this Manukau pair. Stunning hair, stunning poses, stunning smiles.

More passion! More energy!

That’s all the email said and not going to argue with it.

Toby is one of the most common dog names ever and here’s a Toby! This lovely lab from Lower Hutt.

A chill star, Honey got out the vote in Ōtautahi and did a full photoshoot but here’s a taster.

Webster the labradoodle from Birkenhead has a surfer accent and you know it.

We love a dog in uniform and young Dino is taking his first election very seriously. Apparently his attire was matched by a number of human voters in the queue at St Brendan’s School, Upper Hutt.

Ruby the huntaway-smithfield collie isn’t loving the trip out to vote tbh.

This excited dog is named Wags. That’s all.

Clay the greyhound was out in Leigh and is ready to head back in.

Some dogs aren’t interest in voting. Cleo very much is.

Berrie in Owairaka thinks so.

Hello, Boss, the tri-coloured border collie and dog about town. Boss was on the job supervision both voting and some construction this morning.

This is Pipi, looking great and not at all bothered by wind (unlike some).

Mr McBellyrubs was out illegally campaigning this morning (photo redacted) but also posing beautifully (photo included).

Opie is having a grand old time in wine country.

Gracie has gone for a carnival approach to the sign here, which makes me question her ability to read…

If there’s one thing John likes more than exercising his lil bod, it’s exercising his democratic right.

Ps. More than one dog named John in this blog. Wild.

Stanley is probably the only dog to have been published on thespinoff.co.nz, and he’s absolutely fizzing to be voting today at Stanley Bay School in Devonport on Auckland’s North Shore. He’s joined by his cousin Polly Jean, who is truly passionate about democracy but a little miffed there’s no Polly Jean Bay School for her to vote at.

Dog with a collar. I repeat, dog with a collar. Louis the maltese was at the Waterview polling booth, also rooting for the ABs ahead of tomorrow’s quarterfinal.

Loki is both a mercurial villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and a Norse god. This Loki is neither of those things but he’s absolutely over the moon to be exercising his democratic right in Ponsonby today.

By which I mean a footpath in Waltham, Christchurch Central, on a very breezy day.

Rosie could not be more relaxed about voting in Mt Eden today – but rest assured, she’s taking democracy seriously.

Tussock belongs to the parents of Spinoffer Shanti Mathias, and she’s found the sunniest polling booth in all of Christchurch to vote at (St Peter’s Hall, Beckenham). Tussock is voting for “the meaty issues”, she’d like you to know.

I presume Daisy travelled to the polling booth on a bicycle built for two.

Jet would like you to know her bandana does not indicate her voting preferences and therefore does not contravene election day law.

Freya was sad to not join her cousins Stanley and Polly Jean to vote today (see 1.46pm pupdate), but sometimes you just gotta go it alone. She’s voting at Vauxhall School in Devonport, Auckland.

J’adore a dog in a raincoat, and it doesn’t get much better than Pax the cavoodle at the Wānaka Primary School polling booth. Is it just me or does Pax kinda look like a human in a dog suit?

River Dogg came to Aotearoa all the way from the U S of A in 2021. He’s been watching the polls with keen interest and is joining his “feeder” to vote today at Redwood School in Tawa.

This fellow is delighted to be voting at St John’s Roslyn Anglican Church in Dunedin.

We’re firm believers that cats are people too so here is Misty, a first-time voter in Hataitai, Wellington.

Bonnie is a Shetland sheepdog (aka a Sheltie) and would you just look at her glorious coat. Bonnie’s in Miramar on a miserable Wellington morning, but she’s excited because Rongotai is going to be a real nail-biter.

Spinoff dog Pickle is a repeat voter, but this time he’s ditched the cone of shame because there’s no shame in having a healthy love for democracy.

(Pickle in 2020 for reference)

Aka Jess at Mt Roskill Primary in Auckland.

Does Billy believe Raj Manji can take Ilam? Who’s to say.

And Cedric is loving it while his family votes.

Archie has donned formal attire to vote in Ōrākei, Auckland, and we approve.

Frank is only nine months old but won the day by getting heaps of pats while he waited for his pals to vote.

Cookie is no stranger to elections at the ripe old age of 11. Cookie voted this year in St John’s. Thank you for your service.

Apparently Buddy’s been looking forward to voting all week, and you can tell (is that a squeal or a yawn?).

This out of focus creature is Izzy, and excited dog who was made to sit for a portrait instead of mingle with her canine pals.

Here we have the delightful Albus and Coltrane, pups of Bulletin editor Anna Rawhiti-Connell in Beach Haven.

” They would not sit or be still,” she said.

Betty in Miramar sat through some cold and rain while her family voted. Luckily there were no queues so she didn’t have to wait long.

Despite what the sign says, you cannot vote by giving your papers to Flash.

Moments after this photo was taken, Crowley woke up in Oz.

Look at these two, absolutely not having it. Bran, right, and Willie were not pumped about the wind and showers in Featherston but very impressed by the turnout at Anzac Hall.

Good name, good dog. Hamilton West.

Stevie knew it would be miserable in Kelburn and dressed for success.

We love a dog named Max so here’s another one for you.

It’s election day in Whangārei, you’re a dog named Monty, what do you do? Take your family out to vote.

Two stunning hounds here. Edith on the left, Manfred (Manny) on the right.

The humble Rufus chose to vote at the Good Shepherd church and school. Bless you, Rufus.

Annika was so excited to be involved in the process, she slipped her lead outside and left a trail of wet paw prints through the polling location when she pranced in to join them.

It’s the look of the season so get used to it. This is Zephyr babysitting a future voter in Epuni, Lower Hutt.

This lil fluffball never blew away trying to vote but he persevered in his fourth election.

Henny is only four months old so hasn’t grown into his ears yet.

This delightful unnamed dog has been keeping an eye on things at Anzac Hall in Featherston.

Oh and another anonymous dog from an unknown location.

This is Bambi and she was very excited about the election even though she’s only about 7 months old. She nominated herself as the unofficial temporary greeter for the Elim polling station in Botany.

Onyx and Sadie are just yap yap yapping away at Duntroon polling booth.

This is Tūī and they voted today at Lyall Bay Kura in Pōneke – they are dressed as a shark because Tūī loves to swim and is in the Mako Island Bay football team.

What is this, a Calvin Klein ad? Maple from Strathmore Park is absolutely slaying this wet weather look. Look and learn, every other dog and person.

This fine pair is voting at the Greek Orthodox Church in Western Springs, Auckland.

Another Archie, languidly lying by the no parking sign at the Matarangi polling booth at the local fire station following a brisk beach walk.

Coco voted in Browns Bay on Auckland’s North Shore, where she was delighted to bump into Jack the schnauzer and Georgie the shih tzu cross.

I don’t know where she is, I don’t know who she voted for, but I do know she’s a very good dog.

Luna is an Australian shepherd who’s psyched to be voting after an early swim and ball chase. Perfect day imo.

Bee, Nico and Dusty voted at the North Shore Rugby Football Club in Devonport today and deserve to be showered in treats and pats for doing so.

Stevie wonders who will win the election tonight… he or she is at Mt Eden Memorial Hall in Balmoral, Auckland.

If there’s anything cuter than a Swedish vallhund puppy called Moose then I’d like to see it. Moose is only 12 weeks old so not quite of voting age but he wouldn’t miss the opportunity to show his moral support for the democratic cause in Waiwhetū today.

We love a dancing dog and this one is quite clearly in first position. Elegant and poised, and check out that hint of tongue. Stunning, Starbuck.

What finer location for Nala the Pomeranian to be exercising her democratic right than at the Working Men’s Club in Petone.

A sausage dog named Larry wearing a special election-themed hat adorned with Orange Man?? I am officially deceased. He’s voting at Bayfield Primary in Herne Bay, Auckland.

Very envious of Delphi’s artfully tousled ‘do. She’s voting in Mt Roskill, Auckland.

DJ has the best ears I’ve ever seen and is voting at Paparoa School in Northland.

We love a family that votes together but unfortunately Randal’s companions are breaking the NO HUMANS rule so we’ve had to censor them. They’ve voting at Kōwhai Intermediate in Kingsland, great work everybody.

Chico and Sadie are keeping guard at the Auckland polls making sure nothing gets out of control. Good democracy doggos, I say.

As an aside, these are two of my favourite Instagram pooches and you should all go follow Chico. He’s a very good boy and looks fetching in the boot of a car. Also, Chow Chows are maybe… the cutest dogs ever?

Tilly is doing a stellar job at the wahi pōti in Kohimarama, welcoming voting enthusiasts with a smile that would light up an entire electorate.

This is Gaia from Upper Hutt, whose multi-coloured crocs could suggest some conflict at the polls – though I have been assured she is an undecided voter. I have been strictly instructed not to disclose Gaia’s connection to me, but can we all agree she is a very lovely fluffer. Stare too long into those eyes and you may never escape.

Rubix went along to vote in the small township of Halcombe, Manawatū. But he was a little disappointed that the voting process didn’t involve any off-lead for him.

Ted came prepared with a harness and everything.

Poppy dog dropping a poopy log.

It has two members and their names are Sorcha and Maisie. Applications are open but spaces are limited.

Tripp stares down the barrel as Ruby and Mac stare soulfully into the distance, probably pondering hung parliaments and overhang votes.

That slogan was sent it by Dewey’s owner and while I don’t endorse it, I appreciate the initiative.

I’ve seen a lot of gorgeous dogs today and many wearing clothing, but little Larry in an orange hat might take the crown (another form of hat).

The dog is called Apple, get it? Anyway, Apple was out voting in the Northland electorate.

This is Olive, and she’s voting in Sumner, and I feel she’s probably in touch with her emotions.

Daisy didn’t mind the foul weather in Rongotai but did have some things to say about the state of politics in this country.

Bess and Willow, one-year-old rough collie sisters, voted for the first time in Onehunga today.

Cedric the pug is so world famous in Ponsonby that several voters greeted him by name on arrival at the polling booth. He’s taking it all in his stride.

Newtown is a cool suburb so very unsurprising that this cool dog lives there.

Quin and Aida charmed their way inside the Onehunga Primary voting booth and patiently scrutinised the voting process until they realised there was a sausage sizzle outside.

This cat is called Pope Triplebie III, which is a very, very, very good name for a cat. Commonly known as Trippie, she’s voting at Bailey Road School in the Maungakiekie electorate.

We love a well-travelled dog, and Freddie comes all the way from Londontown, and he looks like he’s seen a thing or two in his time. It’s his first time voting in Aotearoa (Mt Albert, to be exact), but Freddie’s an old hand at the British version of democracy, which I believe is called “democracy”.

I don’t know if this dog has a name but I hope it does and I hope that that name is Dog.

Oscar is looking very pleased with himself after completing his civic duty. As he should be!

Dear Rosie passed away earlier this year, but her loving family sent in this photo of her from a polling booth in 2017.

Flora looks absolutely stunning in her raincoat. She’s at the polls in Ōhāriu in Wellington. Stay dry, Flora!!

That’s what the subject line said and I’m not arguing.

This is Bobbi, not Anderson despite the very large sign. He’s staring off into the distance as though the camera isn’t there which is what all good models are meant to do.

Casper helped vote at the town hall in Ngaio. A town hall feels like a very good place to vote imo.

Have you ever seen anyone look as happy as Rafa the Cavoodle? I haven’t. “We love going to the Greek Orthodox Church on Western Springs Road to vote,” says Rafa’s owners. “It’s Rafa’s first election and we are so proud of our baby all grown up.” I’d be proud too!

“Not my dog, but he’s a very good boy,” reads the email, which begs the question: whose dog is it?

Dusty says you’d be barking mad not to vote – and I bloody well agree. Here they are pictured at the North Shore Rugby Football Club.

Here’s Pipi in Sandringham wearing a lovely collar that fits in with the colourful mural.

I reckon more dogs should be given very human names which is why I am desperately in love with Graham, a very long doggo pictured here. No further details were provided.

This is Lulu described by her owner as a “blond sausage”. She voted in New Lynn, Auckland and has to be one of the most photogenic pooches we’ve shared today. Well done, Lulu!

Wow, would you look at this: it may be our election day but Australians are also heading to the polls in the Voice referendum vote. Here’s Harry who voted Yes in Noosa! Strictly we should only be sharing New Zealand voting pups but I’ve made the executive decision to include Harry because he just looks so chuffed.

That’s what the subject line read but there was some more information in the email. This is Dougal who is in Rongotai and looking a bit wind swept – as is the voting sign. Keep your paws firmly on the ground, Dougal.

Jarvis at Island Bay School pointing the way with his tail.

Too cool to even look at the camera, is Goldie Sparkles from Whanganui.

This is Zoey described as “a veteran 12yo sheepdog on the North Shore”. Looking lovely, Zoey.

Circe looks sleepy and honestly Circe, I fully get you! Here he is at Clyde Quay School in Wellington Central.

This is Betsy, a Wire-haired Pointer and Labrador cross, at Grants Braes School in Dunedin. “She’s 11 years old and is turning up for her fourth election,” says her owner. Practically a career politician at this point. Well done Betsy and we’ll see you back here in 2026.

Twig stopped by the polling station in Avondale and was falsely accused of weeing on the sign. According to Twig’s owner, anyway…

Paddy took his whānau (including a first time voter) to St Johns Theosophical College in Meadowbank, Auckland. Paddy also voted wisely and in accordance with all regulations. “Bit of a challenge to hold the marker pen but all worked out eventually,” says his owner.

Watch out for whatever mega hound took a bite out of the sign, Ruby!

Here’s Florence at Beckenham School polling station. Florence has a mighty fine coat, might I say.

Here is Sulley who, unlike what I assume to be his Monster’s Inc namesake, looks like he couldn’t scare anyone. He was out in New Lynn this morning watching the action and “getting his democracy on”.

Lucky and Juno after voting in Rongotai. Despite the strict no humans rule, I’ll accept this pic because the people are only half visible and one can be observed wearing a lovely pair of crocs.

Murphy’s a first time voter and chose to exercise his democratic right at Clyde Quay School in Mt Victoria. Good on ya Murph.

This is Tig the Rottie, happily doing a democracy in Hutt South. I particularly like the sign in the background, stuck to a road cone, proudly proclaiming that these toilets are for “ADULTS” only. Don’t go in there, Tig.

This is Murphy. We’ve been assured that while his ears go both ways, his vote only went one. Two ticks for Murphy!

Lyla was out voting today on the sunny Banks Peninsula.

This strange looking dog* called Misty went to vote in Hataitai, Wellington. “It was her first time so she was a bit nervous but is glad she did it,” says Misty’s owner. Misty would like to make clear that her outfit is not necessarily a reflection of her voting intention.

*Misty appears to be a cat.

Here is Bean the Ridgeback making sure her owner votes in Ngapara, North Otago. Good job, Bean!

The dog attached to this tongue is called Basil and he is a good boy.

Here’s Rusty at Richmond Road School in Grey Lynn looking chuffed to be there.

This is first-time polling pup Frank checking out what all the fuss was about in Beach Haven earlier today and carefully abiding by election day rules and regs.

This is Iggy the Catahoula – a dog breed I had never heard of until today! Love to learn.

This is Stanley, another first time voter, braving the bad weather to exercise his democratic right at Pukerua Bay School in Wellington. Good on ya mate.

Billy has just moved from Gisborne to Wellington and is excited to be exercising her democratic right in the capital. Cheers Billy!

This is Whetu, Piggy and Bruce. What a crew!

This is Jemima enjoying the spoils of voting in the Australia – the democracy sausage! Yum.

This is Pounamu, 3-year-old staff x adopted from HUHA who braved the wet weather to vote at Lyall Bay school today. Good boy!

This is Fizzy, Lulu and cheeky Poppy voting in Royal Oak Maungakiekie today. They look well-informed!

This is Misha the corgi, having a regal rest while voting at Hillpark Primary School in Manurewa earlier today.

Ted was “very excited for democracy” while waiting to vote in Wigram today.

Glam duo Benny and Jett spotted at the polls earlier today.

This one’s subject line simply says, “Dog at Northcote”. If this dog’s name is actually Dog, then… respect.

Woody’s owners also sent a version where he’s looking in the other direction – this dog is hedging his bets tonight.

This is Zeus, a “lab x with we don’t know what” on the beautifully maintained berm outside the Wallacetown Community Hall in Southland. Good on ya Zeus!

Chocolate lab Bruce soulfully observes the democratic process.

Here is the wonderfully named Hester loving life at the polls in Ōtepoti. Great vibes all round.

Richie looks like a creature out of the Labyrinth and I support this. Who would Jareth the goblin king vote for?

Here’s a labradoodle called Ada early voting at Miramar and Maupuia Community Centre – “either having a laugh or a yawn, and definitely ready for the park”. This dog is cracking up at something I reckon. Good to have a sense of humour on election day.

Maple is voting somewhere with stunning wood floors and brick walls and that hands out voting stickers? In this economy?! I would like to know where this magical mystical place is. Maple is not that fussed about her sticker and would much prefer a democracy sausage.

I don’t know their names, I don’t know where they are, but I do know they are very good jobs despite their rule-breaking (censored) human.

Pip and Mabel (great names) at Central Takaka School, too excited to sit for a photo.

Millie is voting in Hataitai and doesn’t mind the rain because she’s sporting a spiffing raincoat. Inspirational stuff.

Tess is voting in Hataitai (lotta dogs in Hataitai coming into the inbox today, big Rongotai electorate energy).

Biiiig yawn from Digby in Wānaka. Just between you and me mate… same.

It’s Luna and Bowie and yes that headline is a clever reference to BOTH their names.

“SPCA special” Tristram was unimpressed by the wet weather in Johnsonville today. Fair enough!

Marlo is very long and also, we’re told, very helpful at the polling booth. What did you do, Marlo!? Good dog.

The dog on the left is called Ramona and her Instagram handle is “korndog.666”. The dog on the right is called Würm!!! They rocked the vote at Michaels Ave School in Ellerslie today.

This is Rufus (or to address him by his full title, Rufusdupomsky) voting Cockle Bay Primary. A very cool dude.

Behold: Rusty the Golden Retriever, Dougal the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and sweet Jess, all exercising their civic duty in Carterton, Wairarapa. Wonderful.

Te Kura o Tawatawa / Ridgway School receives a royal visit from Prinz Otto von Schnauzer of Rongotai.

It’s been a great turnout for dogs called Poppy today. We’re told the policies this one supports include free tennis balls at beaches, double dinners and everyone being allowed to bring their dog to work. Good luck, Poppy.

Edith went to vote in Hutt South today and had the time of her life.

Thank you for joining us for another election day full of dogs at polling booths. We must now turn our attention to the other business of the day – the election results etc. We have been blessed with literally hundreds of good dogs (and some other good pets!) in the inbox, which has unfortunately proved just too many to get through. Please accept our grovelling apologies if your pet hasn’t appeared!

We’d love for you to join us for the Election Night live blog – that can be found right here.

We received a formidable number of photos of dogs at polling booths yesterday (thank you!) and ran out of time to post all of them before 7 o’clock (sorry!). Ready to see some more?

This is Pippin, voting in Karori. Pippin was just a pup when she featured in the 2020 dogs at polling booths. Look at her now!

Here’s Harry and Luka, who I like to imagine are named after Black Caps legends Chris ‘Harry’ Harris and Daniel Luca Vettori, voting in Paekakariki, where there is a sale on next weekend.

This is the lovely Maggie, another second-time voting dog, in the too-close-to-call electorate of Mount Albert.

Here’s Milo, who “desperately wanted to take his ball” to the polling booth yesterday. There’s no rule against that, and this one even matches the sign. A very clever boy.

This dog’s name is George Michael! He’s a Bernese Mountain Dog! And he supports Ireland!

This is Blixa, pensively licking their chops in anticipation of the election results yesterday.

This is Minnie, pictured in front of some kind of found object art installation in St Albans. A thought-provoking work.

This is Pia Matai, a one-year-old lurcher pictured lurking outside the Onehunga Library yesterday.

This is Pax, a cavoodle, who turned up to vote at Wānaka Primary School in a stylish yellow raincoat. The colour combo with the leash? This is an outfit that both pops AND represents Otago.

Here is Theo, pictured spanielling it up in Epsom yesterday. Windswept.

This is Charlie, who braved the rain to vote in  Ōhāriu yesterday. Underbite aficionados will be unable to resist zooming in on that face.

This is Domino, who got out to vote in Wadestown yesterday. Have you ever met a more perfectly-named dog?

This is Florence Goldie, who took a before and after voting at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto yesterday. Hard to argue with this.

Here is Ty, wearing a very nice rainbow scarf while voting in Auckland yesterday. This dog is very good at accessorising!

This is Ruckus and Otto voting in One Tree Hill yesterday. A hard case pair of jokers if ever I saw one.

This is Teddy from Palmerston North, who looks like a very good “shake hands” dog.

This is Bobby, a two-year-old border collie who went to vote on the North Shore yesterday. Good lad!

This is Beau, who actually advance voted in Epsom on Friday. Eager!

Little is known about this dog other than its location: Dunedin!

Whoever this dog is, they stayed dry as a bone while out to vote.

This is Franke, a three-year-old miniature schnauzer, out to vote in Kilbirnie. Excellent composition.

This is Zelda, who sat still for just long enough to take this photo then got straight back to chasing the leaves blowing around in Tai Tapu.

This is Monty, a huntaway from Green Bay in Auckland, who didn’t appreciate his morning walk being interrupted by a stop at the polling station. Sorry Monty!

This is Jack. Look how purposefully he’s striding toward the polling booth! That’s how you do it.

This is Yogi, a beagle who went to vote in the Tukituki electorate. Do people still say “big mood” because… big mood.

This is Ziggy, who went to vote at Avonhead School in Christchurch and had plenty to say about it by the looks of things.

This is Rimu, a two-year-old Viszla who went to vote for the first time in Matakana. Good on ya Rimu!

No known name, no known breed, whoever this dog is they seem distracted by something more interesting than voting. I reckon somebody 100 metres away is probably eating cheese.

This is Lua, an 18-month-old Husky x Australian Shepherd mix who went to vote in Devonport. Lua’s owner describes her as “very sweet”, which is obvious just from looking at that face.

Tama’s owner sent four photo options and in all of them he looks a like a dog who’s trying to keep a secret. What did he do? We’ll never know.

This is Barney, a border collie who went to vote at Reremoana school in Auckland’s Wattle Downs. Barney looks so chilled out I feel like he should be drinking a beer, but dogs can’t have beer.

This is not what I expected a dog called “Mr Meatball” to look like. But actually, it’s the perfect name!

This is Fenrir Baldur von Ritzweber, who left his wolf perch on Onetahua / Farewell Spit to go and vote in Pakawau.

This is Frankie, who took the opportunity to take some shots for his dog modelling portfolio outside Mangaroa School in Remutaka. Somebody give this dog a contract!

This is Pablo, who donned his finest knitwear to go and vote in Rongotai. Very sophisticated!

This is Ziva, who braved a brisk Canterbury nor’wester to go and vote at Ashgrove School in Rangiora.

This is Lux – “named before the other Lux came along” – a first-time voter in the Rongotai electorate. Good Lux! And Godspeed.

This is Monty, who brushed his moustache especially for the occasion of going to vote in Kelburn yesterday. I think I speak on behalf of everyone reading this when I say: it was worth the effort. Thanks Monty!

This is Honey, a first-time voter from the North Shore. Her owner reports that she enjoyed the experience – very glad to hear it.

This is Pearl, who went to vote at Mount Eden – “and even got to go in the booth!” Don’t know about you but I am feeling extremely judged by that side eye.

This is Fergus, waiting patiently at the Ostend Hall polling booth on Waiheke. “He’d vote for anyone who has treats”, his owners reckon. Food for thought indeed.

This is Ruby, who might just be the happiest dog in the whole Mount Albert electorate.

This is Scooby Doo, who went to vote in Henderson yesterday.

This is Barney, who’s concentrating so hard on taking a nice picture that he’s sticking his tongue out a little bit, like Tom Sainsbury’s “boomer dad” character trying to use a smartphone. (Barney is in fact only two, and this was his first time voting.)

This is Nico, a boxer who only has one eye because the other one got scratched by a cat! She went to vote in Rotorua yesterday.

This is Kai, a Japanese Spitz x German Spitz and “very good boy” who went to vote for the first time in South Auckland yesterday. The polling booth was on his usual walking route so it was a piece of cake basically.

This is Coral, a one-year-old Lab X who is in training to become a guide dog! By the looks of things she passed this assignment with flying colours. Nice one Coral!

This is Mac, who went to vote in Dunedin and was bloody stoked about it by all accounts.

This is Monty, which seems to be a very popular name among voting dogs this year! Monty went to vote at Birkenhead Primary and got a liver treat for his troubles. Good deal!

This is Griffin and Archie, spaniel brothers who went to vote in Lower Hutt. Let me please draw your attention to: those ears.

This is Pipi, who went to vote in Mangawhai Heads aka the Winterless North, which lived up to its reputation on election day by the looks. Feel like Pipi would suit a pair of aviator sunglasses… and maybe a bucket hat? Just an idea.

Awhi, Pickles and Kush all went to vote in Māngere Bridge on Saturday afternoon. This is a band photo if ever there was one.

This is Rosie, who went to vote at Rocket Park in Mt Albert wearing a T-shirt! Can’t quite make out what it says but hopefully it wasn’t political in nature otherwise Rosie would have been breaking the law.

This is Alfie, an absolutely classic black lab who went to vote at Westmere School in Auckland. How’d that line of slobber get all the way from his mouth to the bridge of his muzzle? Skilful.

This is Harry, who went to vote in Whangamatā. Apparently he’s on the lookout for a party that’s prepared to ban both fireworks and cats.

Welcome back to day three of the dog blog – we’re on the home stretch now. This is Skipper, who looks like he might be shaping up to pee on the voting sign. A dog’s gotta do what a dog’s gotta do.

This is Rexie, who celebrated his 13th birthday on Saturday by going to vote in his fifth(!) election. He also chased his stick for a bit. Many happy returns to this voting veteran.

This is Hazel, a lovely greyhound who went to vote in Onehunga. Those are the eyes of a greyhound who’s just noticed someone holding a bit of cheese.

This is Tenzing, a Tibetan spaniel who celebrated reaching the voting age this year! Assuming this is in actual years and not dog years, that is a feat worthy of his namesake.

This is Milo, who went to vote in Cambridge wearing a charming neckerchief. A perfect look for spring.

This is Arthur and Louie. Their owner described them as their “wee men” and I couldn’t agree more. Proper gentlemen.