Luxon sets election date

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the 2026 General Election will be held on Saturday, November 7.

The National Party leader says continuing the recent tradition of revealing the vote date early in the year ensures New Zealanders have certainty.

“Kiwis can also have certainty that our government will continue governing throughout the year to deliver on our plan to fix the basics and build the future,” says Luxon, pictured.

“When we took office, the country was going in the wrong direction, and it’s taken a lot of hard work in the last two years to start turning things around.”

He adds the coalition, which National formed with New Zealand First and the Act Party, has delivered careful economic management that has led to the economy picking up, increasing business and consumer confidence, building and manufacturing taking off, and exports doing well. 

Luxon has advised the Governor-General of the election date and the government’s intention is the House will rise on September 24, with parliament dissolved on October 1. 

Writ day will be on October 4 and nominations will close at noon on October 8. Advance voting will begin on October 26 and the last day for the return of the writ will be December 3.