Polls close in New Zealand's federal election

New Zealand commenced its final day of voting on Saturday, with over 1.6 million out of nearly 3.8 million eligible voters having already submitted their ballots by Thursday, according to the Electoral Commission. Polling places opened at 9 am and will conclude at 7 pm, making the day a unique one in the country's political landscape.

An unusual law now dominates the election day proceedings, imposing a 19-hour blackout that strictly forbids any discussion of politics. This includes political parties, news outlets, and social media users, who are barred from commenting on potential outcomes, campaign issues, or anything else that might sway voters one way or the other. Breaching this law can result in a fine of 20,000 New Zealand dollars (USD 11,000).

The blackout extends to opinion polls and exit interviews, with political parties and candidates' billboards and advertisements also required to be removed by midnight. Despite these restrictions, political leaders maintain a low profile, often appearing in public as private citizens to ensure visibility without making any political statements.

The election day also saw a shift in social media trends, with users opting to share photos of dogs at polling places instead of engaging in partisan debates. The country, led by a single house of parliament, elects political parties rather than leaders, and a party must win a majority of seats in Parliament to form a government.

Voting isn't compulsory in New Zealand, but new laws introduced in December 2025 require those who are eligible to enroll no later than 13 days before election day. Eligible voters can still vote, but those who haven't enrolled by October 25 this year might be denied at polling places. The Electoral Commission aims to release results from 95% of votes cast by the end of election night, with a final outcome expected by November 27.