Luxon passed over easier election dates, advice shows

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon set the general election for 7 November after being advised that two other dates would be easier to administer, official advice shows. RNZ

The Electoral Commission assessed 17 October and 21 November as "administratively more feasible" alternatives to 7 November. It described 7 November as "challenging, but manageable" partly because advance voting, when people can vote before election day, would begin on a public holiday.

In a letter to the prime minister on 7 August 2025, the chief electoral officer warned that school and public holidays could leave large numbers of voters away from home and potentially reduce turnout. The chief electoral officer said the commission's practice had been to advise against holding an election during school and public holidays.

Luxon announced the date in January and described 7 November as the "logical time" after weighing sporting fixtures and other events. He noted that eight of the last 12 New Zealand elections were held in October or November.

Labour has accused Luxon of "knowingly limiting turnout" by adding another barrier to voting. Labour MP Camilla Belich said the government's earlier electoral law changes scrapped same-day voter enrolment. Belich said only 2 of 22 voting places in Epsom would be open on 26 October, the first day of advance voting.

The National Party dismissed Labour's criticism as desperation and said the election date had been public knowledge for nine months.

Writ Day, the formal start of the election process, will be on 4 October, according to the Beehive release announcing the date. Beehive Candidate nominations close at noon on 8 October. Overseas voting starts on 21 October, and the last day to enrol is 25 October. Advance voting begins on 26 October, with voting open through until 7pm on election day, 7 November.