Advance voting for 2026 election starts Monday, with party leaders expected to vote
Advance voting for the 2026 General Election starts on Monday 26 October, and party leaders are expected at polling places on the first day. Labour leader Chris Hipkins was set to be the first to cast his vote, at 10:15am in Remutaka, RNZ's live coverage reported. National leader Christopher Luxon was expected to vote at a polling place that day.
Advance voting runs until Friday 6 November. Election day is Saturday 7 November, when voting closes at 7pm, according to the Electoral Commission. Voters who want to vote early can do so at advance voting places before then.
Enrolment for the election closed on 25 October. Overseas voting for the election began on 21 October.
Campaigning is not allowed within 10 metres of an advance voting place. Anyone who wants voting information can call the Electoral Commission's free phone number, 0800 36 76 56.
New Zealand elects its Parliament under the mixed member proportional (MMP) system. The Electoral Commission's website describes MMP as the system the country uses for its general elections.
RNZ is providing daily live coverage of the campaign through to election day. Political Editor Jo Moir and Deputy Editor Craig McCulloch are contributing updates, breaking news and analysis to that coverage.
