Key facts
- Overseas voting begins Wednesday, October 21.
- Advance voting in New Zealand starts next week.
- General election date is November 7, 2026.
- 126,000 enrolled voters live overseas, with most in Australia.
New Zealanders living or travelling overseas can begin casting their votes for the 2026 general election from Wednesday, October 21. This precedes the start of advance voting within New Zealand next week. The official election day is November 7, 2026. Chief Electoral Officer Karl Le Quesne stated that overseas voters can download their ballot papers from the official election website or utilize in-person and postal voting options at 64 international locations. The Electoral Commission reported approximately 126,000 enrolled voters living abroad, a notable increase from 92,600 in 2023, with the majority residing in Australia.