The countdown is on for election 2026 after the Prime Minister set November 7 as polling day, with voters facing significant rule changes that were only just made into law.
In terms of the political year ahead, there's still plenty of water to flow under the proverbial bridge, but politicians almost certainly have their eyes on the prize.
Here's what's on the agenda ahead for the election.
Key dates for this year's election
August 6 marks several critical deadlines, with midnight being the last chance for enrolled Māori voters to change roll. It is also the final day for political parties to register their logos and party names with the Electoral Commission.
The next day, the regulated period for election advertising expenses begins, running through to November 6, before billboards and advertising must be taken down.
Parliament will rise on September 24, before the official dissolution on October 1.
The Governor-General will then issue writs on October 4, formally directing the Electoral Commission to hold the election. Anyone who enrols after this date casts a special vote.
Parties must submit their candidate lists and nominations by 12pm on October 8.
The Treasury's Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update, or PREFU, will be published between September 25 and October 9. By law, the "open the books" briefing must be published between 20 and 30 working days before an election.
Overseas voting begins on October 21.
All voters must be enrolled by midnight on October 25 to cast a ballot, whether they are going to be voting in advance or on election day. Advance voting begins the next day, on October 26.
November 7 is election day. Preliminary election results will be released from 7pm.
November 27 will be when the official results are declared.
The final list of successful candidates, known as the writ, needs to be returned by December 3, marking the end of the election process.
New voting rules
Thousands of people risk potentially being caught out by the Government's controversial changes to voting rules, enacted last year on the basis of speeding up vote counting.
Around 450,000 people either enrolled to vote or updated their details during the early voting period or on election day in 2023.
This time around, people not enrolled to vote by October 25 won't be able to do so, and people who are enrolled in the wrong electorate will only be able to cast a party vote.
As part of its changes, the Government also introduced automatic enrolment updates so the Electoral Commission can update people’s enrolment details using data from other government agencies.
“Our focus in 2026 will be on ensuring people enrol earlier so their vote counts,” said Chief Electoral Officer Karl Le Quesne last year.
"Ahead of the 2026 general election we will undertake a nationwide information and education programme to let you and your community know when you need to enrol by, and how to do it."
Enrolled voters will receive a voting information pack and EasyVote card in the mail about a month before election day.
Those whose names do not appear on the printed roll at voting places will need to fill out a special declaration vote form.
Polling places will be open from 9am to 7pm on November 7, with advance voting locations operating different hours during the early voting period.
Preliminary election results will be released progressively on election night from 7pm onwards on electionresults.govt.nz
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