STORY: New Zealand votes in a general election on Saturday (November 7), with polls closing at 7 p.m. (0600 GMT).

New Zealand’s Electoral Commission will begin releasing numbers shortly after, and expects to report preliminary results from 50% of voting places by 10 p.m.

Candidates standing for election include Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, leader of the center-right National Party, and Chris Hipkins, leader of the center-left Labour.

There is no time frame for when a government must be formed.

The Electoral Commission sets strict rules on what can be reported on Saturday until polls close, including anything that may influence voting or turnout.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND (NOVEMBER 7, 2026) (TVNZ – Broadcast: No use New Zealand Digital: No use New Zealand internet sites / any internet site of any New Zealand or Australia based media organisations or mobile platforms)

1. VARIOUS OF SIGNS READING (English): "VOTING"

2. SIGN READING (English): "VOTE HERE"

3. PERSON CASTING THEIR VOTE INTO BALLOT BOX

4. VOTING OFFICIALS WITH ELECTORAL ROLLS

BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND (NOVEMBER 7, 2026) (TVNZ – Broadcast: No use New Zealand Digital: No use New Zealand internet sites / any internet site of any New Zealand or Australia based media organisations or mobile platforms)

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED PERSON, SAYING:

"It's very important, I mean we've got to have our say. No point whining at work or to your friends if you don't have a say."

6. PERSON STANDING AT EXTERIOR OF POLLING STATION

7. VARIOUS OF POLLING OFFICIALS WITH VOTERS

8. PERSON CASTING VOTE INTO BALLOT BOX

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED PERSON, SAYING:

"Yeah, look I think it's very important for everybody to have a say and get the party that they want to see move the country forward."

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND (NOVEMBER 7, 2026) (TVNZ – Broadcast: No use New Zealand Digital: No use New Zealand internet sites / any internet site of any New Zealand or Australia based media organisations or mobile platforms)

10. VARIOUS OF VOTERS LINING UP AT POLLING STATION

11. VARIOUS OF SIGNS READING (English): "VOTING"

12. VOTER WITH OFFICIAL

13. ELECTORAL ROLL

14. PERSON CASTING VOTE INTO BALLOT BOX

WHANGAREI, NEW ZEALAND (NOVEMBER 7, 2026) (TVNZ – Broadcast: No use New Zealand Digital: No use New Zealand internet sites / any internet site of any New Zealand or Australia based media organisations or mobile platforms)

15. VOTERS IN POLLING STATION (MUTE)

16. PERSON CASTING VOTE INTO BALLOT BOX (MUTE)

17. (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED PERSON, SAYING:

"I'm anticipating change. I think what's been happening is just hugely unfair, it actually hurts my feelings what's happened to people and the inequality for everyone. And it's just got to go, it makes me feel gross that all these people are being so poorly effected."

18. (MUTE) POLLING OFFICIAL WITH VOTER

19. (MUTE) VOTER WALKING TO VOTING BOOTH

20. (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED PERSON, SAYING:

"Because we need to make change for our country really and we need to vote because if we don't vote, we don't have a say."

21. (MUTE) PERSON AT VOTING BOOTH

22. (MUTE) PERSON CASTING VOTE