The key facts

  • More than 3.7 million voters are voting in New Zealand's general election
  • Polling stations are open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time; final results expected by November 27
  • Among the participants is the new Free Palestine Party, which has made the Palestinian question a campaign theme

Voting in New Zealand's elections

Polling stations opened in New Zealand on Saturday for the general election, in which the country's new government will be elected. According to the Anadolu Agency, more than 3.7 million voters have gone to the polls. The stations opened at 9:00 a.m. local time (20:00 GMT on Friday) and will close at 19:00 (06:00 GMT). A preliminary vote count will begin after the closing, with final results expected by November 27.

Election participants

The main contest is unfolding between the established parties: the ruling National Party and the opposition, center-left Labour Party. Other major contenders include the Green Party, ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First, as well as smaller forces such as Te Pati Maori and the Opportunity Party. A newcomer to the campaign is the Free Palestine Party: its leader Paul Hopkinson said earlier this year in an interview with Anadolu that the party seeks to bring the Palestinian issue to the forefront of the election agenda.