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

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.