This is a list of elections that have been and will be held in New Zealand and associated states and territories in 2026. Included are any local or national elections or by-elections, as well as elections to iwi governing bodies, and any party leadership votes.
Overview of key electoral events General elections +DateJurisdictionGovernment beforeHead of government beforeGovernment afterHead of government after5 FebruaryTokelau rowspan="3" 11th Government Kelihiano Kalolo rowspan="3" 12th Government Kelihiano KaloloEsera Fofō TuisanoEsera Fofō TuisanoAlapati TaviteAlapati Tavite2 MayNiue 2nd Tagelagi Ministry Dalton Tagelagi 3rd Tagelagi Ministry Dalton Tagelagi12 AugustCook IslandsCIP–Ind. (15 / 24) Mark BrownCIP (13 / 24) Mark Brown11 NovemberNew ZealandNational–ACT–NZ First (68 / 123)Christopher Luxonto be determined
Party leadership votes +DatePartyRolePerson beforePerson afterSupportVoters21 AprilNationalLeaderChristopher LuxonChristopher Luxon >25 / 49National MPs28 JuneACTDeputyBrooke van Velden (resigned)Nicole McKee >5 / 11ACT MPs25–26 July rowspan="2" Green Co-leadersMarama DavidsonMarama Davidson >75%Green local branch delegatesChlöe SwarbrickChlöe Swarbrick >75%12 AugustNationalLeaderChristopher LuxonChristopher Luxon >25 / 49National MPs
January to March 5 February: Tokelauan general election
3 March: Central Otago District Council by-election in the Vincent ward Hastings District Rural Community Board by-election in the Maraekākaho subdivision Murupara Community Board by-election in the Galatea-Waiohau subdivision Tāneatua Community Board by-election Rotorua Lakes Community Board by-election Ōraka Aparima Community Board by-election Mataura Community Board by-election Twizel Community Board by-election 9 March–20 March: Several takiwā held elections as part of the 2026 Ngāpuhi takiwā elections
April to June 9 April: Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board by-election in the Papatoetoe subdivision 20 April: Ngati Porou iwi by-election in the 3rd rohenga 21 April: National Party caucus vote of confidence in party leader Christopher Luxon 2 May: Niuean general election 12 May: Dunedin City Council by-election in the at-large ward 17 May–30 June: Waikato Tainui marae elections 22 May: Masterton District Council by-election in the at-large ward 5 June: Featherston Community Board by-election
10 June: Franklin Local Board by-election in the Wairoa subdivision 22 June: Akaroa Community by-election 28 June: ACT caucus members select Nicole McKee as the new deputy leader of the party
July to September 14 July: Ngāpuhi ki Whangārei takiwā election (part of 2026 Ngāpuhi takiwā elections) 25–26 July: Confirmation vote of Green Party co-leaders held at their AGM per party constitution 12 August: National Party caucus vote of confidence in party leader Christopher Luxon Cook Islands general election 21 August: Greater Wellington Regional Council by-election in the Wairarapa constituency. 18 September: Chatham Islands Council by-election 19 September: Waikato Tainui iwi election 25 September: Bay of Plenty Regional Council by-election in the Eastern Bay of Plenty general constituencyEastern Bay of Plenty General Constituency Seat by-election, Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Accessed 4 July 2026.Bay of Plenty byelection to fill councillor Malcolm Campbell’s seat, Rotorua Daily Post, 17 June 2026. Accessed 4 July 2026
October to December 1 October: Wellington City Council by-election in the Takapū/Northern general ward 2 October: South Wairarapa District Council by-election in the Featherston ward 16 October: Porirua City Council by-election in the Onepoto general ward 11 November: New Zealand general election 27 November: Waitaki District Council by-election in the Ōamaru wardBy-election schedule set for Ōamaru Ward vacancy, Waitaki District Council, 19 August 2026. Accessed 10 September 2026.
See also 2026 in New Zealand
References