Chris Hipkins has locked in Saturday, November 25 as the date for the Port Waikato by-election.

It's been triggered by the death of ACT candidate Neil Christensen - and is required by the Electoral Act.

However, locals can still help choose the next Government before October 14.

ZB political editor Jason Walls says there will be 121 MPs in Parliament by the end of the by-election, bucking the trend from previous electoral cycles.

LISTEN ABOVE

Chris Hipkins has locked in Saturday, November 25 as the date for the Port Waikato by-election.
It's been triggered by the death of ACT candidate Neil Christensen - and is required by the Electoral Act.
However, locals can still help choose the next Government before October 14.
ZB political editor Jason Walls says there will be 121 MPs in Parliament by the end of the by-election, bucking the trend from previous electoral cycles.
LISTEN ABOVE

Newstalk ZB brings you comprehensive coverage of Election 2023 - the policies, the issues, the debates, the personalities, and the results of New Zealand's general election.

Newstalk ZB brings you comprehensive coverage of Election 2023 - the policies, the issues, the debates, the personalities, and the results of New Zealand's general election.

Newstalk ZB and NZHerald.co.nz bring you comprehensive coverage of Vote 2020 - the policies, the issues, the debates, the personalities, and the results of New Zealand's general election.

Election 2023

Jason Walls: Newstalk ZB political editor explains what voters need to know about the Port Waikato by-election

A constitutional law expert suggests changing rules on enrolling to vote could benefit the current Government.

A report by the Auditor-General's found pressures on systems led to mistakes in the vote count, such as a rushed final check of the official results.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has proposed stopping people enrolling to vote on election day to slim down numbers of special votes.

Otago University's Andrew Geddis says people showing up that way tend to vote left.

"The special votes every election deliver more seats to the left parties than the right. So if you end election day enrolments, you'll help the right - which is why Paul Goldsmith is so keen to do it."

LISTEN ABOVE

A constitutional law expert suggests changing rules on enrolling to vote could benefit the current Government.
A report by the Auditor-General's found pressures on systems led to mistakes in the vote count, such as a rushed final check of the official results.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has proposed stopping people enrolling to vote on election day to slim down numbers of special votes.
Otago University's Andrew Geddis says people showing up that way tend to vote left.
"The special votes every election deliver more seats to the left parties than the right. So if you end election day enrolments, you'll help the right - which is why Paul Goldsmith is so keen to do it."
LISTEN ABOVE

Andrew Geddis: Otago University law professor on the impact of changing rules on enrolling to vote

Big numbers of special votes and enrolments took a toll on vote counters in last year's election.

A report on the count by the Auditor-General has found the final check of the official result was done in a few hours, on the day it was announced.

The rushed assessment failed to identify multiple errors.

It normally takes two days.

Chief Electoral Officer Karl Le Quesne says they're working at ways to better support staff in future.

"We need to look at how we can use technology to identify potential errors - there might be some more staff needed. But we need check more robustly that the checks have been carried out as well."

LISTEN ABOVE

Big numbers of special votes and enrolments took a toll on vote counters in last year's election.
A report on the count by the Auditor-General has found the final check of the official result was done in a few hours, on the day it was announced.
The rushed assessment failed to identify multiple errors.
It normally takes two days.
Chief Electoral Officer Karl Le Quesne says they're working at ways to better support staff in future.
"We need to look at how we can use technology to identify potential errors - there might be some more staff needed. But we need check more robustly that the checks have been carried out as well."
LISTEN ABOVE

Karl Le Quesne: Chief Electoral Officer on the Auditor-General report revealing issues within 2023 election vote count

It’s been a big week in politics, as a host of Labour's policies have been tipped on the scrap heap as the new coalition Government starts passing laws at pace.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins the Weekend Collective to share who her politician of the year is, as well as what we can expect from the mini-budget.

Plus, Jason Walls joins the show to discuss the key moments from the year that's been in politics.

LISTEN ABOVE

It’s been a big week in politics, as a host of Labour's policies have been tipped on the scrap heap as the new coalition Government starts passing laws at pace.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins the Weekend Collective to share who her politician of the year is, as well as what we can expect from the mini-budget.
Plus, Jason Walls joins the show to discuss the key moments from the year that's been in politics.
LISTEN ABOVE

Jason Walls: Newstalk ZB political editor explains what voters need to know about the Port Waikato by-election

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