New Zealand is being run by a caretaker government while the post-election government formation process continues. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his ministers stay in office until a new government is formed, under a set of rules known as the caretaker convention.
The Electoral Commission expects to declare the official election result on 27 November, after special votes are counted. Luxon said on Sunday that serious coalition negotiations would not start until then, RNZ reported.
Is there a government at all?
Yes. The Cabinet Manual, the official guide to how central government makes decisions, says a caretaker government "is still the lawful executive authority, with all the powers and responsibilities that go with executive office."
"It's not correct to say 'there's no government'," Grant Duncan, a research associate at the University of Auckland's Public Policy Institute, wrote in an analysis published by RNZ. Day-to-day administration has to continue.
The difference is restraint. By convention, a caretaker government limits what it does until the political picture is clear.
What carries on?
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) says that while it is unclear who will form the next government:
- the normal business of government and the day-to-day running of the public sector can continue
- decisions made and policies settled before the caretaker period started can usually be put into effect
That second point matters for migrants. Several immigration changes were decided months ago. Immigration New Zealand's website still lists them on their original dates:
- the first Parent Resident Visa selection under the new queue-and-ballot model on 10 November
- the new six-month Short-Term Graduate Work Visa, which opens on 16 November
- family visa changes on 16 November, including partner and child visa applications moving to enhanced Immigration Online
Law firm Simpson Grierson notes that statutory deadlines still apply during this period.
What gets put on hold?
DPMC lists the kinds of decisions that should be deferred where possible:
- significant or potentially controversial issues
- decisions with long-term effects that could tie the hands of the next government, such as signing a major contract or making a significant appointment
- new policy initiatives
- changes to existing policy
If something cannot wait, the government is expected to use a temporary arrangement, such as rolling over a contract for a short time. If that is not possible either, it should consult other parties to check the decision has majority support in the House.
Emergencies are different. A caretaker government would still respond to a national emergency or a major international crisis, Duncan writes.
The Cabinet Manual admits the line is not always clear. "There are no hard and fast rules," it says.
Simpson Grierson says discretionary decisions, such as some permits and overseas investment approvals, may be slower in this period. Businesses dealing with government agencies may notice that.
Can it still step in on a dispute?
Some groups are already asking. The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union, which plans 10-hour strikes from 27 November, says the caretaker coalition could still step in to help settle its pay dispute with Fire and Emergency New Zealand, RNZ reported. Whether ministers do anything will depend on how they read the convention.
What if the winner becomes clear?
Once it is clear who will form the next government but before they are sworn in, DPMC says the outgoing government should start no new policy and should follow the incoming government's advice on any significant issue that cannot wait, even if it disagrees.
Key dates
DPMC's post-election circular sets out the timeline:
- 27 November: official results declared
- 3 December: return of the writ, when winning electorate candidates are formally confirmed, followed by the list MPs
- 14 January 2027: the latest date Parliament can meet
A new government can bring the opening of Parliament forward.
For how coalition talks work, read our explainer on how New Zealand forms a government after a close election. Graduates planning to apply on 16 November can check who qualifies for the new six-month graduate work visa.
