Zimbabweans living in New Zealand are doing their bit to try to get rid of President Robert Mugabe by holding their own elections - even though their votes won't count.
Save Zimbabwe Campaign kicked off with its own mock elections in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. But the 7000 Zimbabweans living in New Zealand are well aware their votes will not count towards political change and will not bring about an end to Mugabe's rule.
However they hope they are making more people aware of how their country and its people continue to suffer from the loss of democracy.
"We decided as part of the four million that have not been given the right to vote to show our discontent and make a point that we do matter in the discharge of justice and democracy in Zimbabwe," Mandla-Akhe Dube from the Save Zimbabwe Campaign says.
Four million Zimbabweans living outside the country are not allowed to vote and the 7000 in NZ want to have their say any way.
"It's creating awareness..we've got similar processes taking place in countries like Australia, Canada, the UK and the US," says Adams Makope.
The protesters say Mugabe has plundered the country's economy and resources and it is time he was out.
"The lack of governance has resulted in social strife and if the economy is not functioning how else can people move on with their lives," questions Dube.
Zimbabweans in New Zealand are angry they have had to give up their rights to have a say on what is happening back home.
"If we are not allowed to have a dual citizenship and exercise our right to vote being Zimbabwean citizens then it does concern us," says Makope.
And the protesters say their adopted country is a shining example of what democracy should be.
