New Zealand’s 2026 general election moves into counting tonight, Saturday 7 November, with voting closing at 7pm and preliminary results released progressively afterwards.
RNZ’s election-night special begins at 7pm New Zealand Daylight Time (NZDT, Auckland time). Hosted by Lisa Owen and John Campbell, the programme will feature results, analysis and reporting from around the country.
Watch RNZ’s official YouTube livestream
Tonight’s results are preliminary
The Electoral Commission’s election-night count covers ordinary votes cast during advance voting and on election day. Special votes are checked and counted later, so tonight’s figures are not the final official result.
As more voting places report, totals and percentages will change. Check the counting progress before drawing conclusions from any snapshot.
The Commission aims to release results from 50% of voting places by 10pm and 95% by 11.30pm. These are targets, not guarantees, and refer to voting places—not the percentage of all votes counted.
When is the official result?
The official count includes checking special voters’ eligibility and rechecking and recounting ballots already counted on election night. The Commission expects to publish the official results on Friday 27 November.
Follow RNZ’s broadcast alongside the Electoral Commission’s results website for the latest figures and counting progress.
All times are NZDT (Auckland time). Counting information: Electoral Commission.
