Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro has issued a writ directing the Electoral Commission to hold the Port Waikato by-election. (File image) Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
The governor-general has formally issued the writ for the Port Waikato by-election.
This gives the formal authority for the by-election to take place and sets out the key dates.
The by-election was caused by the death of ACT candidate Neil Christensen and will create an extra seat this Parliamentary term.
Nominations for the by-election close on 20 October, with overseas voting starting on 8 November, advanced voting on 13 November, and the by-election itself on 25 November.
Voters in Port Waikato were still able to cast a party vote for Saturday's election.
More than 33,000 people voted, with 50 percent giving their party vote to National.
The seat was last held by National Party's Andrew Bayly, who has re-entered Parliament anyway as a list MP.