Advance voting begins as Porirua residents prepare for general election

A hand places a voting paper into an orange and white Elections NZ ballot box during local elections.

Porirua residents can begin voting in the general election on Monday 26 October, with advance voting opening ahead of election day on Saturday 7 November.

The Electoral Commission says 207 voting places will open across New Zealand on Labour Day, with more opening during the following days.

This will be the first general election using the new Kenepuru and Kāpiti electorate boundaries, which replace the former Mana electorate.

Kenepuru covers central Porirua, Tītahi Bay, Cannons Creek, Waitangirua and Tawa, while Kāpiti includes Whitby, Pāuatahanui and Pukerua Bay.

The changes mean some residents will be choosing an electorate MP for a different electorate from the one they voted in at the last election.

Voters must already be enrolled. The deadline for enrolling or updating details was midnight on Sunday 25 October, and enrolment will not be available at voting places.

People who enrolled after 4 October but before the deadline will need to cast a special vote.

Voters do not need identification, although bringing an EasyVote card can make the process quicker.

Advance voting locations and opening hours vary, and not every voting place opens on Monday.

Residents can check their nearest voting place and its opening hours at vote.nz.

Voting closes at 7pm on election day, Saturday 7 November.