Voters of Māori descent are being sent email and text message reminders about the August 6 deadline to change electoral rolls before this year’s general election.

Hone Matthews, chief advisor Māori, said letters were sent in April to all enrolled Māori voters about the choice between the general roll and the Māori roll.

“If you’ve given us your email address or phone number, you’ll get a follow up email or text this month reminding you of the deadline to change rolls,” he said.

Māori voters wanting to switch from the Māori roll to general roll, or the general roll to Māori roll, need to make the change before midnight on August 6.

Those happy with the roll they are on do not need to do anything.

You cannot change rolls in the three months before the election, which is on November 7.

Between March 31 and June 30, 4731 people changed from the general roll to the Māori roll; 5113 people changed from the Māori roll to the general roll; there were 3381 new enrolments on the Māori roll and 2087 new enrolments on the general roll.