It is now less than 100 days to the 2026 General Election. Given the changes that the Government has made to enrolling to vote and the legality of what can and cannot be done in /around polling booths, I have made this article more of an information article than an opinion piece. I only reiterate how important it is that people double check their electoral status (links below).
The following is the official Electoral Commission timeline that all political parties in New Zealand must follow for the 2026 General Election.
People who need to check/update their details. People who need to enrol.
6 August – Electoral Commission deadline for Party Logos and registration
7 August – Last day for voters to switch from or to the Māori Electoral roll , Regulated period for election advertising expenses begins = all party expenses tracked.
5 September – Electoral hoardings up to 3 square metres can go up, subject to local authority rules about location. You can have larger signs or put up signs earlier subject to local council rules.
7 September – Candidate nominations open for all parties
24 September – Last day Parliament sits, and the beginning of the Dissolution of Parliament process begins.
October– The Minister of Finance is required under the Public Finance Act 1989 to publish the Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU) before each general election
1 October – Parliament is Dissolved
4 October – Writ day – the Governor General issues formal direction to the Electoral Commission to hold the election.
Parties and Independents can start advertising/promoting their candidacy on TV and radio from writ day.
5 October – Parliament dissolves; the 2026 Election Campaign period has begun.
8 October – Nominations for individual electorate candidates must be made by midday on nomination day. Party lists must be submitted to the Electoral Commission by midday the day before
21 October – Overseas voting starts – Eligibility, citizens have been back to NZ in the last 3 years. Permanent residents must have been back to NZ within the past 12 months.
25 October – Last day for NZ residents and Citizens to enrol to vote. NO enrol and voting allowed this election.
26 October – Advance voting starts
No campaigning within 10 metres of advance voting places
You can’t give away free food, drink or entertainment within 100 metres of the entrance to a voting place
6 November – Advance voting ends
Regulated period ends – last day campaigning is allowed and signs must be taken down by midnight
7 November 2026 ELECTION DAY – no campaigning permitted on this day; election results live on TV1; TV3; Radio New Zealand; Election Results.
I have written in a few extra dates below based on processes that need to be followed to complete the 2026 General Election.
27 November – official results announced; official coalition negotiations can start
3 December – last day for return of the writ
5 December-14 January 2027 – Governor General will deliver the Speech from the Throne; Parliament needs to assemble before this period ends
9 March 2027 – the last day for returns of expenditures/donations etc; the official procedures for the 2026 General Election end here
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