EARLY DAYS
Late 1980s to early 1990s
Our origins
- The late 1980s played a pivotal role in establishing Independent Election Services.
- Inspired by internal Electoral Officer roles: Our roles as internal electoral officers for Auckland City Council, managing local government electoral processes, served as inspiration for the company's creation.
Serving a diverse clientele
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Expanding client base:
- Over the years, our client base has continued to expand and diversify.
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Serving a variety of client types:
- We have attracted discerning clients, including:
- Local authorities, iwi, and energy trusts
- School board of trustees
- Educational facilities
- Healthcare associations
- Business associations
- Unions
- Primary industries
- Licensing trusts
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Partnering with Māori trust boards:
- From an early stage, we enjoyed longstanding partnerships with well-established Māori trust boards.
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Facilitating governance entity elections:
- As more iwi reached settlements with the Crown, we have been privileged to provide our services for ratification polls, and elections for newly established governance entities.
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Customized and impartial election services:
- Our ability to serve a diverse range of customers, each with unique requirements, reflects our flexibility in customising our services to meet specific needs.
INNOVATIVE MILESTONES
1997 - date
Bespoke electronic vote capture software
- 1997: Introduction of electronic vote capture, a significant milestone in our efforts to innovate electoral processes.
- 2001: Launch of custom election management software (EMS-v1), strengthening our commitment to electoral excellence.
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2004: Introduction of high speed scanning of voting documents providing efficiencies in vote capture.
- 2009: Embracing online voting, a development that had a profound impact on the way elections are conducted in Aotearoa New Zealand.
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2013: Electronic checking and recording of nominations providing more efficient reporting of candidates and candidate lists for councils and voting document generation and proofing.
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2016: Youth voting (mock elections run in tandem with local body elections, with real candidates) went online providing more efficient and paperless voting experience for students in schools.
- 2019: Made substantial enhancements to our online voting platform, VoteOnline.
- 2019: Provision of a Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping system, streamlining the process and ensuring accurate voting documents for each voter.
- 2022:Integration of AI and machine learning into EMS, enabling quicker results by assisting in vote recognition.
- 2024: Introduction of a nationwide ratepayer entitlement lookup app and a special vote requests app, highlighting our dedication to enhancing the integrity and accessibility of democratic processes in the digital age.
- 2024: Made substantial enhancements to our electronic management system
(EMS-v3) which is already proving to increase productivity and accuracy, significantly reducing the need for manual processes.
- 2025: Watch this space as we are currently rolling out our "game-changing" app for our client-Councils next election.
PIONEERING ELECTRONIC VOTING
2000 - 2019
VoteOnline: technology to empower
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Introduction of VoteOnline platform (2009): In 2009, we achieved a significant milestone by introducing the VoteOnline platform, a cutting-edge online voting solution. This development resulted from meticulous design, rigorous development, and extensive testing.
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Enthusiastic adoption by loyal clients: Many of our loyal clients enthusiastically embraced this new online voting service, recognising its value in engaging with constituents using the latest methods.
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Significant enhancements in 2019: In 2019, we made substantial improvements to the system, both in terms of user interface and security. These enhancements were made to adapt to changing cybersecurity assessments, ensuring the platform's integrity and resilience.
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Shaping the future of elections: By investing in the ongoing development of VoteOnline, we not only cater to client needs but also play a pivotal role in shaping the future of elections in Aotearoa New Zealand. We leverage innovation and technology to enhance the democratic process, improving accessibility, efficiency, and security.
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Reinforcing our position as trailblazers: Our dedication to advancing online voting technology and enhancing the democratic process solidifies our position as trailblazers in the electoral services field. We lead in adopting and implementing cutting-edge solutions for the benefit of Aotearoa New Zealand's electoral landscape.
EMBRACING MĀORI CULTURE AND HERITAGE
Unity in diversity
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Commitment to Māori culture: We are dedicated to embracing Māori culture within our company, moving beyond mere recognition to actively engage with and respect the cultural heritage and values of the indigenous Māori people.
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Inclusivity and engagement: We seek to create an inclusive environment that values and incorporates Māori traditions, language, and customs into our daily operations and interactions.
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Cultural awareness: Our corporate ethos is informed by our awareness of Māori culture, influences the way we conduct business and the kawa (protocols) and practices we implement. This ensures that Māori perspectives are integrated into our decision-making processes.
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Importance of mana: We understand the significance of "mana," representing respect, respecting values, and recognising prestige. Mana serves as a foundational principle in all our interactions, both within our company and with Māori communities.
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Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Recognising the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) as a guiding principle, we adhere to its tikanga (customs and values) in our corporate practices, aiming to promote an inclusive and harmonious partnership between our company and the Māori community. This partnership strengthens our collective identity in the diverse and dynamic landscape of Aotearoa New Zealand.
