With Prime Minister Christopher Luxon confirming the 2026 election date will be November 7, the Electoral Commission has confirmed the timetable to unfold as New Zealanders pick a leader for the next three years.

Luxon, who made the announcement at the National Party caucus retreat in Christchurch on Wednesday, said the decision continued a tradition of setting the election date early in the year to ensure New Zealanders have certainty.

“Most of our elections have been late October, early November. So when you look at the international events beforehand, when you look at the national events, sporting events, that was the logical time.”

According to the Electoral Commission, the key dates for 2026’s election follow.

August 6 is the last day for registration of parties and logos. This is also the deadline for Māori who are already enrolled, to change roll types.

From August 7 the regulated period for election advertising expenses begins. Candidate nominations open September 7.

On October 1 will be the dissolution of Parliament.

October 4 will be writ day – this is when the Governor-General issues the formal direction to the Electoral Commission to hold the election. Anyone who enrols after this date has to cast a special vote.

The period for candidate nominations will close midday October 8. Overseas voting begins October 21.

The last day to enrol to vote in the 2026 election will be October 25. Advanced voting begins October 26.

The regulated period ends November 6, which means all election advertising must end and signs must be taken down by midnight.

November 7 will be election day – with voting from 9am-7pm. That night, election night, preliminary election results will be released progressively from 7pm on www.electionresults.govt.nz

The official results for the 2026 General Election are declared on November 27. The last day for the return of the writ is December 3.

The timetable for the election is determined in accordance with the Electoral Act 1993.

To find out more about the 2026 election and how to enrol to vote, visit: https://elections.nz