Post-election transition begins as 35 new MPs arrive at Parliament

Thirty-five new MPs elected on Saturday began arriving at Parliament on Monday for their inductions, according to RNZ. The arrivals mark the start of the transition after New Zealand's 2026 general election, which was held on 7 November.

For MPs who are leaving, Parliament has set up packing stations. They are stocked with cardboard boxes, packing tape and bubble wrap, and are available on request.

Parties are also starting to meet as caucuses, the gatherings of each party's MPs. ACT held its first post-election caucus meeting on Sunday. Labour, National, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori have scheduled their first post-election caucus meetings for Tuesday, 10 November.

Some of those leaving Parliament have been farewelled publicly. Labour leader Chris Hipkins paid tribute to departing MPs Rachel Boyack, Deborah Russell and Dan Rosewarne. National frontbenchers, including Nicola Willis, Chris Bishop and Paul Goldsmith, left Parliament because, under the mixed-member proportional (MMP) system, the party's overhang meant it had no list seats.

The election period was regulated. It ended on 6 November, when all election advertising had to stop and election signs had to be taken down by midnight, according to Parliament's election timeline.

Parliament's final sitting before the election was on a Wednesday. Party leaders used the closing debate for final remarks, Reuters reported.