Today’s the day when New Zealanders get the chance to cast their democratic vote.  Hopefully there may have been some inspiration from America’s record this week and lots of people will get out and use their vote.

Or I should say votes.  You get the chance to vote for a constituency candidate and also tick a box for a party vote.  The party vote is important for the allocation of proportional seats.  It’s going to be a long night I fear with the results to watch with the likelihood that there will be no clear winner today.  In past elections it has taken 4-6 weeks for the coalition Government’s to be formed so don’t get your hopes up that they’ll be something definite to report. Having said that I’m sure MT will be up on his soapbox later!

After casting our votes down in Te Marua we headed off to treat the bassets on this special day.  They love to walk down in Tunnel Gully and it was just around the corner from the polling station.  As you might imagine Fortnum and Mason are more interested in sniffing than voting so who can blame them if they don’t take much interest in the kiwi election.

Since it wouldn’t be polite to take pictures of people voting I made up for it on our basset adventures today!

My boys looking very serious!

Time for some refreshment

Mason is off – enough of wet feet!

Fortnum has no fear of water!

Hey look at me, I can make the water turn brown

Wonder what’s over here

Hmm, clear water.  Yum!

Ooo, lots of clear water

What d’ya mean it’s time to go?

Don’t mind him, I’m still nice and dry!

I told you I didn’t want to come home so I’m going to sit here till you take me back!