Candidate nominations open soon for the election
Candidate nominations for the 2026 General Election open on Monday 7 September and close at noon on Thursday 8 October.
There are two types of candidates:
- Electorate candidates who stand for election in electorates.
- List candidates on party lists of registered parties who may be elected through the party vote.
Who can be a candidate
To be a candidate you must be enrolled to vote and a New Zealand citizen by noon 8 October.
How to become a candidate
There are two ways to nominate electorate candidates:
- Bulk nomination of all the party’s candidates by the secretary of a registered party.
- Individual nomination of a candidate by two enrolled electors of the electorate being contested.
Candidates for registered parties should check with their party secretary which method of nomination their party is using. Candidates can only use the method chosen by the party secretary.
Only registered parties can stand list candidates at a general election. Party list candidates are lodged with the Electoral Commission by the party secretary.
Individual electorate candidate nominations
Individual nomination form must be completed by:
- independent candidates
- candidates for unregistered parties
- candidates for registered parties not making a bulk nomination.
A $300 deposit must be paid with an individual nomination.
From 7 September, candidates using the individual nomination process can lodge their nomination by email to nominations@elections.govt.nz
Nominations may also be lodged in person by appointment with the Returning Officer (Electorate Manager) for the electorate you want to stand in.
Contact your electorate manager.
For further information on becoming a candidate, including the Individual Candidate Nomination Form, and information on how to make the payment, go to the Candidate Hub or freephone 0800 36 76 56.