New Zealand prepares for 2026 general election amid cost-of-living concerns

New Zealanders will head to the polls on 7 November to elect a new parliament. The election, held every three years under a Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) system, allows each voter to select a constituency candidate and a party vote, with parties needing at least 5% of the party vote to enter parliament. The 120-seat House typically sees 71 constituency seats and 49 list seats allocated proportionally, often resulting in coalition governments.

Incumbent Prime Minister Christopher Luxon leads the centre-right National Party, which governs in coalition with ACT and New Zealand First. National’s platform stresses economic management, restoring a budget surplus and expanding the KiwiSaver retirement scheme. The main opposition, the centre-left Labour Party, is headed by former prime minister Chris Hipkins and focuses on lowering living costs, improving health care and transport, and investing in housing and public services. Smaller parties include ACT, which advocates stricter immigration rules; New Zealand First, which proposes restricting voting to citizens; the Green Party, co-led by Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson, emphasizing wealth taxes and renewable energy; and Te Pāti Māori, campaigning on housing, health, education and constitutional reform.

A September 2026 Ipsos poll found 63% of respondents rank inflation and the cost of living as the top issue, followed by health care (44%) and the economy (34%). Unemployment was cited by 21% of those surveyed, overtaking housing as a priority. Polling stations open at 09:00 local time on election day and close at 19:00, with advance voting having begun on 26 October and overseas voting on 21 October. Preliminary results will be posted from 19:00 on election night, while the Electoral Commission will declare official results on 27 November after verification.