Key dates for the 2026 General Election.
| 2026 General Election timetable | |
| 21 January | Prime Minister announces date for the 2026 General Election |
| 6 August | Last day for registration of parties and logos |
| Midnight, 6 August | Last day for Māori who are already enrolled to change roll types |
| 7 August | Regulated period for election advertising expenses begins |
| 1 October | Dissolution of Parliament |
| 4 October | Writ Day - the Governor-General issues formal direction to the Electoral Commission to hold the election Anyone who enrols after this date casts a special vote. |
| Noon, 8 October | Nominations close for candidates |
| 21 October | Overseas voting starts |
| 25 October | Last day to enrol to vote in the election |
| 26 October | Advance voting starts |
| 6 November | Regulated period ends. All election advertising must end. Signs must be taken down by midnight. |
| 7 November | Election day. Voting places open from 9.00am to 7.00pm Election night. Preliminary election results released progressively from 7.00pm on electionresults.govt.nz |
| 27 November | Official results for the 2026 General Election declared |
| 3 December | Last day for the return of the writ |