New Zealand’s Parliament was dissolved on Thursday, formally launching the campaign period ahead of the country’s general election on November 7.
The 54th Parliament held its final sitting on September 23 before its dissolution.
The election is shaping up as a closely contested race between the ruling centre-right coalition and parties on the left.
According to the latest 1News-Verian poll, Labour and the governing National Party are tied at 28% support, while the Greens stand at 16%.
Based on the poll’s seat projections, a potential left-leaning grouping could hold 65 seats, while the National Party, ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First could collectively secure 59 seats.
New Zealand normally has a 120-seat parliament, although additional seats can be created under its electoral system when a party wins more electorate seats than its share of the nationwide party vote would otherwise entitle it to.
Overseas voting is scheduled to begin on October 21, followed by advance voting on October 26.
The campaign is expected to focus heavily on the cost of living, economic management and public services.
New Zealand’s previous general election was held in October 2023. The country’s Parliament has a maximum term of three years.