During the flag referendums of 2015-16, a lot of attention was put on the cost of holding the referendums. Both ballots were postal ones and therefore cost a lot to undertake. The total budget for the referendums and their information campaign was $28m, an oft-repeated figure during the debate.

Later this year, we’ll have two referendums at this year’s general election to be held in September. Elections NZ has more information on the referendums on their website. Budget 2020’s Vote Justice spending (which covers the cost of elections and referendums etc) reveals that the cost of holding two referendums at this year’s general election - on legalising cannabis and the End of Life Choice Act - will be $42m.

This is surprising since the flag referendums were postal votes. Nonetheless, it does again show that the claims of costs are overblown and that the cost of democratically deciding who our head of state should be won’t be that great.