A sign directing the way to a voting place is pictured in Lower Hutt, a city in the Wellington region, New Zealand, Nov. 7, 2026. New Zealanders head to polling stations on Saturday as the country holds its 2026 general election, with a closely contested race between the governing National-led coalition and the opposition Labor-led bloc. (Photo by Meng Tao/Xinhua)
WELLINGTON, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- New Zealanders head to polling stations on Saturday as the country holds its 2026 general election, with a closely contested race between the governing National-led coalition and the opposition Labor-led bloc.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's center-right National Party is seeking a second term after taking office in 2023, while Labor, led by former prime minister Chris Hipkins, is campaigning to return to power amid public concerns over the cost of living, economic growth, jobs and public services.
More than 2,300 voting places are open nationwide from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, offering voters their final opportunity to cast ballots after nearly two weeks of advance voting. Voters are seen lining up outside a voting place in Johnsonville in northern Wellington.
The country had provisionally enrolled nearly 3.8 million voters, representing 93.6 percent of the estimated eligible population. By Thursday, 1,666,908 votes had been issued, compared with 1,379,985 at the same point in the 2023 election, according to the Electoral Commission.
Opinion polls have indicated a tight contest, with neither major political bloc expected to secure an outright majority, making smaller parties potentially decisive in forming the next government.
New Zealand uses the mixed-member proportional voting system to elect its parliament. Under this system, the government is usually formed by two or more parliamentary political parties.
Preliminary election results are expected on Saturday night, while official results are scheduled to be declared on Nov. 27. ■
A voter enters a voting place in Karori in suburban Wellington, New Zealand, Nov. 7, 2026.
New Zealanders head to polling stations on Saturday as the country holds its 2026 general election, with a closely contested race between the governing National-led coalition and the opposition Labor-led bloc. (Photo by Meng Tao/Xinhua)
This photo taken on Nov. 7, 2026 shows the Parliament buildings in Wellington, New Zealand.
New Zealanders head to polling stations on Saturday as the country holds its 2026 general election, with a closely contested race between the governing National-led coalition and the opposition Labor-led bloc. (Photo by Meng Tao/Xinhua)
This photo taken on Nov. 7, 2026 shows the Parliament buildings in Wellington, New Zealand.
New Zealanders head to polling stations on Saturday as the country holds its 2026 general election, with a closely contested race between the governing National-led coalition and the opposition Labor-led bloc. (Photo by Meng Tao/Xinhua)