Dame Cindy Kiro signs the writ at Government House in Auckland. Chief electoral officer Karl Le Quesne is alongside. Photo: Supplied / Government House
A milestone has passed on the election calendar with the formal writ being issued for the 2023 General Election to be held.
Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro signed the writ at Government House on Sunday directing the Electoral Commission to conduct the general election on Saturday 14 October.
"The signing of the writ is a constitutional step in the election process. It sets out the dates for candidate nominations to close, election day, and the date the writ must be returned showing the successful electorate candidates," chief electoral officer Karl Le Quesne said.
Key dates
- Noon on 14 September is the deadline for registered parties to nominate their electorate candidates and supply their party lists to the Electoral Commission
- Noon on 15 September - the deadline for individual nominations of electorate candidates
- A full list of parties and candidates is expected to be publicly available online at vote.nz by 2pm on 16 September.
- The writ must be returned showing the successful electorate candidates by 9 November unless a recount is required.
Writ day marked other key events in the election calendar. The electoral rolls closed for printing at midnight and all voters who enrol from now on must cast special declaration votes.
Writ day is also the day when candidate and party advertising can start on television and radio.
The election timetable is available online at vote.nz/key-dates.
The 53rd Parliament was dissolved last Friday.