PM makes early revelation of September election date

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that the general election will be held on September 19.

Yesterday’s announcement was made at the Beehive during at the first post-Cabinet press conference of 2020, after she advised the governor-general.

The decision to nominate the election date early follows a precedent set by John Key in 2011 and 2014 and continued in 2017 under Bill English.

Traditionally, knowing when an election will be held is a significant advantage for a sitting government, as it can plan the year and raise campaign funds accordingly, while keeping the Opposition guessing.

Ardern said she thought announcing early was best practice and gave everyone time to prepare – including the Opposition and the Electoral Commission.

‘‘I’ve always believed that announcing elections dates early is fair. It improves the opportunities for New Zealanders to take part in the democratic process and gives a greater degree of certainty to the political landscape.’’

Elections in New Zealand always take place on a Saturday. Every election since 2011 has been held in September.

The Government expects that the House will rise on August 6, nominations will close on August

20, and early voting will start on September 7. The last day for return of the ‘‘writ’’ – the official election results – will be October

15.

The Electoral Commission said the results of the two referendums held at the general election – on euthanasia and personal cannabis use – would not be announced until October 2.

Henry Cooke and Luke Malpass