It's in the Ballot - UHCC -Monday 11th August Production Day Pass-In-studio

It's in the Ballot - UHCC -Monday 11th August Production Day Pass-In-studio

'It's in the Ballot' takes the format of the Kiwi TV classic 'It's in the Bag' game show and puts a political twist to it.

By It's in the Ballot Productions

Date and time

Monday, August 11 · 10:30am - 9:30pm NZST

Location

Lane Park Church

22 Lane Street Upper Hutt, Wellington Region 5018 New Zealand

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before event

Agenda

10:30 AM - 10:50 AM

Audience and candidates arrive so they are seated by 11am

10:50 AM - 11:00 AM

Candidate briefing and pre-broadcast checks

We check that the technology is working, including those candidates who are attending online.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

GWRC – Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta/Upper Hutt Constituency - First Half

The ‘It's in the Ballot’ host will introduce Candidates. Each candidate starts with an Opening Statement (1 minute) on why you should give them your electoral and party vote. The candidates will work...

12:00 PM - 12:10 PM

Midshow break

12:10 PM - 1:00 PM

GWRC – Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta/Upper Hutt Constituency - Second Half

Three Hard Hitting questions (1 minute) are answered by all candidates followed by a Closing Statement (1 minute).

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Production Break

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Upper Hutt City Council – Upper Hutt City Councilor at Large -P1 - First half

The ‘It's in the Ballot’ host will introduce the local host who joins us to present the questions in the boxes. Each candidate starts with an Opening Statement (1 minute) on why you should give them ...

2:30 PM - 2:40 PM

Midshow break

2:40 PM - 3:30 PM

Upper Hutt City Council – Upper Hutt City Councilor at Large -P1-Second half

Three Hard Hitting questions (1 minute) are answered by all candidates followed by a Closing Statement (1 minute).

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Production Break

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Upper Hutt City Council – Upper Hutt City Councilor at Large -P2 - First half

The ‘It's in the Ballot’ host will introduce the local host who joins us to present the questions in the boxes. Each candidate starts with an Opening Statement (1 minute) on why you should give them ...

5:00 PM - 5:10 PM

Midshow break

5:10 PM - 6:00 PM

Upper Hutt City Council – Upper Hutt City Councilor at Large -P2-Second half

Three Hard Hitting questions (1 minute) are answered by all candidates followed by a Closing Statement (1 minute).

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Production Break

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Upper Hutt City Council – Upper Hutt Mayoral Debate - First half of the show

The ‘It's in the Ballot’ host will introduce the local host who joins us to present the questions in the boxes. Each candidate starts with an Opening Statement (1 minute) on why you should give them ...

8:00 PM - 8:10 PM

Midshow break

8:10 PM - 9:00 PM

Upper Hutt City Council – Upper Hutt Mayoral Debate - Second half of the show

Three Hard Hitting questions (1 minute) are answered by all candidates followed by a Closing Statement (1 minute).

9:00 PM - 9:30 PM

After show 'meet and greet 'with candidates, hosts and production team

We encourage all attendees to stay after the show to talk to the candidates in person. You may also like to take a photo with the candidates to use on social media to encourage your followers to watc...

About this event

  • Event lasts 11 hours

Contestants of 'It's in the Bag' become political candidates in 'It's in the Ballot' Meet the Candidates.

Candidates choose a numbered box which has a question that has been submitted online by voters before the show.

It’s in the Ballot” is a community-led awareness and participation initiative. We aim to increase voter interest in the general and council elections nationally.

By using broadcasting and web-based technologies to deliver in-studio; online on Facebook, YouTube and Twitch; and edited as YouTube videos we aim to enable voters to make informed voting decisions.

This means you can send the weblink of the YouTube Video of your electorate show to your friends and whanau to encourage them to watch the show before they cast their votes.

Voting papers are sent to voters on Tuesday 9th September 2025 and must be delivered into a voting dropbox by 12pm Saturday 11th October 2025


Frequently asked questions

How do we submit a question for the boxes?

You can submit a question through our online form at https://forms.gle/zAJL9cENF27Hj2FB7 - Alternatively, you can ring toll-free 0508 BALLOT and leave a message – please quote your Council election.

What happens if I want to ask a candidate a specific question on the night?

If we have spare time at the end of the show, we will open questions to the floor. You can also ask candidates questions during the break, or before and after the show.

What is the deadline to get a question in for your ward/mayoral show?

Please submit your questions to us at least 5 days before your electorate show. This is so we can send them to candidates at least 24 hours before the show so they can prepare their responses.

Does it cost anything to attend 'It's in the Ballot'?

Attendance at the show is free of charge. We appreciate attendees purchasing ‘Admission Free + Koha’ tickets to help recover our running costs. We are an independent non-profit and run on small dollar koha to bring 'It's in the Ballot' to your electorate.

What are funds from the donation tickets spent on?

These are venue hire, equipment hire and purchase, travelling and accommodation expenses, marketing costs, and other costs associated with broadcasting and promoting onto digital platforms, and our Toll Free Hotline – 0508 BALLOT.

How are the funds from your donations audited?

All donations are credited to the 'It's in the Ballot' bank account. Our accounts are subject to an external financial review carried out under the guidance of the Newtown Residents Association.

Organized by

It's in the Ballot Productions
NZ$0 – NZ$100