Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will go head to head with Labour leader Chris Hipkins in a live debate as part of TVNZ's extensive election campaign coverage.
The two leaders will square off in a primetime Leaders Debate at 7pm on October 6, to be screened live on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+.
The debate will be moderated by Q+A and 1News at Six presenter Jack Tame, TVNZ confirmed today.
However, Luxon has declined an invitation to appear in a second Leaders Debate on November 5 – two days before election day.
The broadcaster will instead use this space in the schedule for alternative election programming.
TVNZ will also screen a Multi-Party Debate on October 13 at 7pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+, to be moderated by Breakfast presenter Tova O'Brien.
The final party line-up will remain open until the week of the debate, reflecting the timing of TVNZ's political polls to determine which parties qualify.
However, the parties that have already qualified – based on recent poll results – are National, Labour, ACT, New Zealand First, the Green Party, Te Pāti Māori and The Opportunity Party.
The broadcaster said the Multi-Party Debate would help voters understand potential coalition deals; which party could hold the balance of power; and what possible governing arrangements could mean for the country.
Further details of TVNZ's full election coverage line-up will be announced in due course.
New voting rules
Thousands of people risk being caught out by the Government's changes to voting rules, enacted last year to speed 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.
Chief Electoral Officer Karl Le Quesne said last year: "Our focus in 2026 will be on ensuring people enrol earlier so their vote counts.
"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.
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