In 2011 after the counting of special votes the Greens gained a seat from National. These votes are counted as special votes, which take ten times longer to count than other votes. The law currently provides that 10 days is allowed for special votes to be returned from overseas and 13 days for special votes cast in New Zealand to be returned to their home electorate. Use of couriers should mean that special votes cast within the country are returned to their home electorates. And the checking and counting of special votes need not wait for receipt of all votes.

Source: New Zealand Herald November 11, 2023 19:39 UTC