Election day rules: what campaigning is off limits on 7 November

New Zealanders vote on Saturday 7 November, and the rules on campaigning tighten on the day itself. Under the Electoral Commission's rules, all campaigning and any attempt to influence voters is prohibited on election day. That covers signs, demonstrations and social media posts, according to RNZ.

Breaking the rules can carry a heavy penalty. Interfering with or influencing voters can lead to a fine of up to $20,000 under the Electoral Act 1993, the main law governing elections.

Social media is where the rules are most likely to catch people out. From midnight until polls close at 7pm, posting or sharing content about your vote is prohibited. The Electoral Commission says there is no exemption for expressing personal political views online on election day. The commission's guidance also advises people to check that their social media profile pictures do not contain content that could influence voters.

Older material does not have to be taken down, however. Existing website or social media election material can stay up if it is not updated, advertised or reposted on election day and is only available to people who choose to view it. In 2023, the Electoral Commission reported 20 people to police over social media posts made on election day.

Physical campaigning has its own deadlines. All election signs and hoardings had to be removed by midnight on Friday, the day before the election. On election day, vehicles carrying election signs, bumper stickers or other political advertising must be out of public view. Parties and MPs can keep fixed signage at their offices and headquarters if it was up before election day and is not explicitly part of the campaign.

The rules also apply to early voting. Campaigning or advertising is prohibited at voting places, and within 10 metres of their entrances, during that period.

Under the 2026 rules, providing free food, drink or entertainment is banned, except for water. That ban applies anywhere until voting ends on 7 November.

The regulated period, the phase in which election advertising and spending rules apply, runs until Friday 6 November. Enrolment closed at midnight on Sunday 25 October, so people who were not enrolled by then cannot vote in this election.

Voting places are open from 9am to 7pm on Saturday.