Sydney, Austrailia - Members of the Exclusive Brethren have been told voting in this year's general election was "a matter of conscience" and would not be discouraged.
Exclusive Brethren spokesman Tony McCorkell told the Weekend Herald there was no "directive" from the sect's leader, Sydney businessman Bruce Hales, to vote or who to vote for.
The Brethren has 7000 members in New Zealand.
Exclusive Brethren members were behind a secret smear campaign on Labour and the Greens before the last election. Those members publicly stated they did not vote.
Mr McCorkell said there was no change in policy, but that the Exclusive Brethren's position on voting had been misunderstood.
A former Exclusive Brethren member, who did not want to be named, said voting had previously been a "complete no-no".
Mr McCorkell also confirmed computers were once banned but were now being used in the Exclusive Brethren network of schools throughout New Zealand.
He said computers had been used in Exclusive Brethren businesses and leaders were now satisfied appropriate "filters" could be placed on them. Internet access was allowed.
He said cellphones could be used for business and church work but were not for "the youth" or "personal pleasure".
Peter Lineham, associate professor of history at Massey University who has studied the Exclusive Brethren, said its beliefs were clearly changing.
Mr Lineham said such changes would not be made without the sanction of Mr Hales, who the sect call the "Elect Vessel".