In brief
More than 913,000 voters have cast ballots in the first week of advance voting for New Zealand’s 2026 general election, surpassing the 2023 level. The turnout represents about 24% of enrolled voters, up from 19% in 2023, and the busiest day saw over 190,000 votes. The advance‑voting period still lags behind the 1.16 million votes recorded at the same stage in 2020.
More than 913,000 people have voted in the first seven days of advance voting for New Zealand’s 2026 general election, surpassing the 712,192 votes recorded in the equivalent period in 2023, according to the Electoral Commission.
The commission said 913,762 votes were cast between 26 October and 1 November, accounting for about 24 percent of enrolled voters, an increase from the 19 percent that marked the 2023 launch.
Radio New Zealand reported that the busiest day was 31 October, when more than 190,000 votes were issued.
Daily advance‑voting totals have exceeded those of 2023 on each day the poll has been open, but the current count remains below the 1.16 million votes tally reached at the same stage of the 2020 election.
The National Party, led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon who took office in 2023, seeks a second term, while the Labour Party, led by former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, campaigns to return to power amid concerns over cost of living and economic growth.
