In brief
According to the Electoral Commission and Radio New Zealand, 913,762 people voted in the first week of advance voting for New Zealand’s 2026 general election, a rise from 712,192 in the same period in 2023. The 24 % turnout represents an increase from 19 % in the previous election, though it falls short of the 1.16 million votes recorded at the same stage in 2020. The early‑voting window will continue until the election day on Nov. 7.
More than 913,000 people have cast advance votes for New Zealand’s 2026 general election, exceeding the 712,192 ballots recorded in the same period of the 2023 contest, the Electoral Commission said on Monday. The advance voting period ran from October 26 to November 1, with a total of 913,762 votes counted.
This tally amounts to roughly 24 % of New Zealand’s enrolled electorate, an upswing from the 19 % share noted at the same point in the last election. The figures come from the official Electoral Commission, which also cited data reported by Radio New Zealand.
Daily advance‑voting numbers have already surpassed those recorded on corresponding days in 2023, with the busiest day so far, October 31, seeing more than 190,000 votes issued. While the early‑voting total remains below the 1.16 million votes logged at the same stage in the 2020 general election, the upward trend is clear.
The commission said about 600 voting places will remain open each day of the current week ahead of election day, when more than 2,300 voting locations will operate nationwide.
Political context remains tense. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of the center‑right National Party seeks a second term following his 2023 inauguration, while former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins leads the Labour Party in a campaign to return to power amid public concern over the cost of living, economic growth, jobs and public services.
Eligibility rules, set out by the Electoral Commission, allow New Zealand citizens or permanent residents aged 18 or older who have lived continuously in the country for at least 12 months at some point in their life to vote.
Official election results are scheduled to be declared on November 27, after the final counts from the nationwide ballot are tallied.
Radio New Zealand also reported that Electoral Commission figures showed just over 62 % of 18‑ to 24‑year‑olds had voted during the early‑voting window, highlighting a robust turnout among younger voters.
