Просмотр кода страницы Английская Википедия:2020 New Zealand general election

{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{short description|New Zealand general election in October 2020}}
{{use New Zealand English|date=October 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| country = New Zealand
| type = parliamentary
| previous_election = 2017 New Zealand general election
| previous_year = 2017
| outgoing_members = 52nd New Zealand Parliament
| election_date = 17 October 2020
| next_election = 2023 New Zealand general election
| next_year = 2023
| elected_members = 53rd New Zealand Parliament
| seats_for_election = All 120 seats in the [[New Zealand House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]
| majority_seats = 61
| opinion_polls = Opinion polling for the 2020 New Zealand general election
| turnout = 2,919,073 (82.24%; {{increase}} 2.49 [[Percentage point|pp]])
| 1blank = Electorate&nbsp;vote
| 2blank = Party vote

<!-- Labour -->| image1 = {{CSS image crop|Image = Rt_Hon_Jacinda_Ardern.jpg|bSize = 158|cWidth = 120|cHeight = 160|oTop = 0|oLeft = 10}}
| leader1 = [[Jacinda Ardern]]
| leader_since1 = [[2017 New Zealand Labour Party leadership election|1 August 2017]]
| party1 = New Zealand Labour Party
| leaders_seat1 = [[Mount Albert (New Zealand electorate)|Mount Albert]]
| last_election1 = 46 seats<br>36.89%
| seats_before1 = 46
| seats1 = '''65'''
| seat_change1 = {{Increase}} 19
| 1data1 = '''1,357,501<br>48.07%'''<br>{{increase}} 10.19 [[Percentage point|pp]]
| 2data1 = '''1,443,545<br>50.01%'''<br>{{increase}} 13.12 pp

<!-- National -->| image2 = {{CSS image crop|Image = Judith_Collins.png|bSize = 120|cWidth = 120|cHeight = 160|oTop = 5|oLeft = 0}}
| image2_size = 120x160px
| leader2 = [[Judith Collins]]
| party2 = New Zealand National Party
| leader_since2 = [[July 2020 New Zealand National Party leadership election|14 July 2020]]
| leaders_seat2 = [[Papakura (New Zealand electorate)|Papakura]]
| last_election2 = 56 seats<br>44.45%
| seats_before2 = 56
| seats2 = 33
| seat_change2 = {{Decrease}} 23
| 1data2 = 963,845<br>34.13%<br>{{decrease}} 9.92 pp
| 2data2 = 738,275<br>25.58%<br>{{decrease}} 18.87 pp

<!-- Green -->| image3 = {{CSS image crop|Image = Aotearoa New Zealand Green Leadership 2020.jpg|bSize=130|cWidth=120|cHeight=160|oTop=0|oLeft=5}}
| leader3 = [[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|James Shaw]] <br /> [[Marama Davidson]]
| leader_since3 = [[2015 Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand male co-leadership election|30 May 2015]]<br />[[2018 Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand female co-leadership election|8 April 2018]]
| party3 = Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
| leaders_seat3 = [[Party-list proportional representation|List]]
| last_election3 = 8 seats<br>6.27%
| seats_before3 = 8
| seats3 = 10
| seat_change3 = {{Increase}} 2
| 1data3 = 162,245<br>5.74%<br> {{decrease}} 1.17 pp
| 2data3 = 226,757<br>7.86%<br>{{increase}} 1.59 pp

<!-- ACT -->| image4 = {{CSS image crop|Image = David Seymour at ACT Selection Announcement for Leader and Epsom.jpg|bSize = 320|cWidth = 120|cHeight = 160|oTop = 15|oLeft = 105}}
| leader4 = [[David Seymour (New Zealand politician)|David Seymour]]
| leader_since4 = 4 October 2014
| party4 = ACT New Zealand
| leaders_seat4 = [[Epsom (New Zealand electorate)|Epsom]]
| last_election4 = 1 seat<br>0.50%
| seats_before4 = 1
| seats4 = 10
| seat_change4 = {{Increase}} 9
| 1data4 = 97,697<br>3.46%<br>{{increase}} 2.45 pp
| 2data4 = 219,031<br>7.59%<br>{{increase}} 7.08 pp

<!-- Māori -->| image5 = <div aria-hidden="true" style="width:115px;"><span style="line-height:155px; vertical-align:center; text-align:center; font-family:serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight:bold;">m<span style="color: #d9001d;">a</span><span style="margin-left:-1ex;">‾</span><span style="color: #d9001d;margin-right:-2px;margin-left: -5px;">-</span><span>o</span><span style="color: #d9001d;margin-left: -16px;margin-right: 3px;">•</span>ri</span></div><!---See (for example) 2020 Irish general election for use of lettering in lieu of leader's photo--->
| leader5 = [[John Tamihere]] <br /> [[Debbie Ngarewa-Packer]]
| leader_since5 = 15 April 2020
| party5 = Māori Party
| leaders_seat5 = ''Ran in [[Tāmaki Makaurau]] (lost)''{{efn|name=maori-leader|In late October, after preliminary election results suggested that the only Māori Party seat in parliament would be the [[Waiariki (New Zealand electorate)|Waiariki electorate]], held by [[Rawiri Waititi]], the party confirmed Rawiri as its new co-leader, replacing [[John Tamihere]].<ref>{{cite web|date=29 October 2020|title=Māori Party's Rawiri Waititi replaces John Tamihere as co-leader|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/429357/maori-party-s-rawiri-waititi-replaces-john-tamihere-as-co-leader|access-date=7 November 2020|website=RNZ|language=en-nz|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101083903/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/429357/maori-party-s-rawiri-waititi-replaces-john-tamihere-as-co-leader|url-status=live}}</ref>}} <br /> [[Party-list proportional representation|List]]
| last_election5 = 0 seats<br>1.18%
| seats_before5 = 0
| seats5 = 2
| seat_change5 = {{Increase}} 2
| 1data5 = 60,837<br>2.15%<br>{{increase}} 0.04 pp
| 2data5 = 33,630 <br>1.17%<br>{{decrease}} 0.01 pp

<!-- NZ First -->| image6 = {{CSS image crop|Image = Winston Peters, 2019.jpg|bSize = 130|cWidth = 120|cHeight = 160|oTop = 0|oLeft = 4}}
| leader6 = [[Winston Peters]]
| leader_since6 = 18 July 1993
| party6 = New Zealand First
| leaders_seat6 = [[Party-list proportional representation|List]] ''(lost)''
| last_election6 = 9 seats<br>7.20%
| seats_before6 = 9
| seats6 = 0
| seat_change6 = {{Decrease}} 9
| 1data6 = 30,209<br>1.07%<br>{{decrease}} 4.38 pp
| 2data6 = 75,020<br>2.60%<br>{{decrease}} 4.60 pp

<!-- Map -->
| map_image = {{Switcher
| [[File:2020 New Zealand general election - Results.svg|450px]]
| Results by electorate, shaded by electorate winners' vote share
| [[File:2020 New Zealand general election - List Results.svg|450px]]
| Results by electorate, shaded by party vote share
}}

<!-- Result -->| title = [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Prime Minister]]
| posttitle = Subsequent Prime Minister
| before_election = [[Jacinda Ardern]]
| before_party = [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]]
| after_election = [[Jacinda Ardern]]
| after_party = [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]]
}}

The '''2020 New Zealand general election''' was held on Saturday 17 October 2020 to determine the composition of the [[53rd New Zealand Parliament]].<ref name="Stuff: delayed2222">{{cite news|last=Deguara|first=Brittney|date=17 August 2020|title=Live: Jacinda Ardern delays election to October 17 amid coronavirus outbreak|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/122466319/live-jacinda-ardern-delays-election-to-october-17-amid-coronavirus-outbreak|url-status=live|access-date=17 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817010430/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/122466319/live-ashley-bloomfields-coronavirus-update-as-jacinda-ardern-delays-election|archive-date=17 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=6 September 2020|title=Election 2020: Parliament dissolves, setting stage for election campaign|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300100688/election-2020-parliament-dissolves-setting-stage-for-election-campaign|access-date=6 September 2020|website=Stuff|archive-date=7 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907181620/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300100688/election-2020-parliament-dissolves-setting-stage-for-election-campaign|url-status=live}}</ref> Voters elected 120 members to the [[New Zealand House of Representatives|House of Representatives]], 72 from [[New Zealand electorates|single-member electorates]] and 48 from [[Closed list|closed party lists]]. Two [[referendum]]s, [[2020 New Zealand cannabis referendum|one on the personal use of cannabis]] and [[2020 New Zealand euthanasia referendum|one on euthanasia]], were also held on the same day.<ref>{{cite news|date=23 October 2019|title=Euthanasia bill to go to referendum after knife-edge vote in Parliament|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12279106|url-status=live|access-date=26 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026211616/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12279106|archive-date=26 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Cooke|first=Henry|date=13 November 2019|title=MPs vote in favour of End of Life Choice Bill at final reading |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/beehive-live/117384206/mps-vote-on-final-reading-of-end-of-life-choice-bill|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113083519/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/beehive-live/117384206/mps-vote-on-final-reading-of-end-of-life-choice-bill|archive-date=13 November 2019|access-date=13 November 2019}}</ref> Official results of the election and referendums were released on 6 November.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Zealand Election Results|url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/|url-status=live|access-date=18 October 2020 |website=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]|archive-date=13 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813174320/https://electionresults.govt.nz/}}</ref>

The governing [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]], led by incumbent [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Prime Minister]] [[Jacinda Ardern]], won the election in a [[landslide victory]] against the [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]], led by [[Judith Collins]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Roy|first1=Eleanor Ainge|last2=Graham-McLay|first2=Charlotte|date=17 October 2020|title=Jacinda Ardern hails 'very strong mandate' after New Zealand election landslide|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/17/jacinda-arderns-labour-party-set-for-victory-in-new-zealand-election|access-date=17 October 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017112405/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/17/jacinda-arderns-labour-party-set-for-victory-in-new-zealand-election|url-status=live}}</ref> Labour won 65 seats, enough for a [[majority government]]. It is the first time that a party has won enough seats to govern alone since the [[mixed-member proportional representation]] (MMP) system was introduced in 1996.<ref>{{cite news|date=17 October 2020|title=New Zealand election: Jacinda Ardern's Labour Party scores landslide win|language=en-GB|publisher=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-54519628|access-date=17 October 2020|archive-date=16 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016230837/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-54519628|url-status=live}}</ref> Labour also achieved the highest percentage of the party vote (50.0%) since MMP was introduced, winning the plurality of party vote in 71 of the 72 electorates ([[Epsom (New Zealand electorate)|Epsom]] being the sole exception). This is also the best nationwide result in the popular vote for a main party since [[1951 New Zealand general election|1951]], the most seats any party has won since [[1990 New Zealand general election|1990]] and the first time Labour has won an absolute majority of the vote since [[1946 New Zealand general election|1946]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Schwartz |first=Matthew|date=17 October 2020|title=New Zealand PM Ardern Wins Re-Election In Best Showing For Labour Party In Decades|publisher=[[NPR]]|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/17/924934728/new-zealand-pm-ardern-wins-re-election-in-best-showing-for-labour-party-in-decad|url-status=live|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017225439/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/17/924934728/new-zealand-pm-ardern-wins-re-election-in-best-showing-for-labour-party-in-decad}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Shaw|first1=Richard |last2=Hayward |first2=Bronwyn |last3=Vowles|first3=Jack |last4=Curtin |first4=Jennifer |last5=MacDonald |first5=Lindsey |date=17 October 2020|title=Jacinda Ardern and Labour returned in a landslide — 5 experts on a historic New Zealand election|url= https://theconversation.com/jacinda-ardern-and-labour-returned-in-a-landslide-5-experts-on-a-historic-new-zealand-election-148245|url-status=live|access-date=18 October 2020|website=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]]|archive-date=18 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018145222/https://theconversation.com/jacinda-ardern-and-labour-returned-in-a-landslide-5-experts-on-a-historic-new-zealand-election-148245}}</ref> Ardern subsequently became the most successful New Zealand politician of the MMP era, overtaking [[John Key]] by number of seats won under a single premiership. Conversely, this election was the second-worst result for the National Party, which performed poorer only in the [[2002 New Zealand general election|2002 general election]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Walls|first=Jason|date=18 October 2020|title=Election 2020: National's Gerry Brownlee tossing up resignation; backs Collins to stay on as leader|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2020-nationals-gerry-brownlee-tossing-up-resignation-backs-collins-to-stay-on-as-leader/EC3A4J6IFAGS7OWDSFJLGNGSVA/|url-status=live|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=18 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018002719/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2020-nationals-gerry-brownlee-tossing-up-resignation-backs-collins-to-stay-on-as-leader/EC3A4J6IFAGS7OWDSFJLGNGSVA/}}</ref>

With the election being highly centred around the government's praised response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand|COVID-19 pandemic]], it led to the unprecedented flipping of traditionally National-voting seats to Labour, often with very comfortable margins.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ardern set to win in New Zealand's 'COVID election' |url=https://japantoday.com/category/world/ardern-set-to-win-in-new-zealand%27s-%27covid-election%27 |access-date=17 October 2020 |website=Japan Today}}</ref> Examples included the rural seats of [[Wairarapa (New Zealand electorate)|Wairarapa]], [[East Coast (New Zealand electorate)|East Coast]], [[Ōtaki (New Zealand electorate)|Ōtaki]] and [[Rangitata (New Zealand electorate)|Rangitata]], the latter having never previously voted for Labour.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rangitata: Electoral Profile – New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/historical-electorate-profiles/electorate-profiles-data/document/DBHOH_Lib_EP_Rangitata_Electoral_Profile/rangitata-electoral-profile |access-date=17 October 2020 |website=www.parliament.nz |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=1 News |author-link=1 News |user=1NewsNZ |number=1317415543192788992 |date=17 October 2020 |title=Wairarapa electorate win a dream come true for Labour MP Kieran McAnulty. By @Beywake https://t.co/g8vvSfta9N https://t.co/zESg8DeaUS |language=en |access-date=15 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717051301/https://twitter.com/1NewsNZ/status/1317415543192788992 |archive-date=17 July 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> In another blow to National's heartlands, every city except [[Auckland]] and [[Tauranga]] gave their seats entirely to Labour. In a surprise victory, the left-wing environmentalist [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green Party]]'s [[Chlöe Swarbrick]] won the [[Auckland Central (New Zealand electorate)|Auckland Central]] seat vacated by National's retiring [[Nikki Kaye]] with a margin of 1,068 votes over Labour's [[Helen White (politician)|Helen White]].<ref>{{cite web|date=12 October 2017|title=Media release: 2017 General Election writ returned|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/footer/about-us/office-of-the-clerk/office-of-the-clerk-media-releases/media-release-2017-general-election-writ-returned/|access-date=9 September 2020|website=Parliament.nz|publisher=[[New Zealand Parliament]]|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913065616/https://www.parliament.nz/en/footer/about-us/office-of-the-clerk/office-of-the-clerk-media-releases/media-release-2017-general-election-writ-returned/|url-status=live}}</ref> The right-wing libertarian [[ACT New Zealand|ACT Party]] and the Greens both increased their number of seats due to the collapse of National's support base. The [[Māori Party]], representing the cause of [[indigenous rights]], re-entered Parliament with two seats after [[Rawiri Waititi]] won the [[Waiariki (New Zealand electorate)|Waiariki]] electorate. Populist nationalist party [[New Zealand First]], led by Deputy Prime Minister [[Winston Peters]] in [[Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand|coalition with Labour]], suffered its worst-ever result, losing all its seats.<ref>{{cite web|title=NZ First|url=https://policy.nz/parties/NZ-First|url-status=live|access-date=18 October 2020|website=Policy. NZ Election 2020.|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017141503/https://policy.nz/parties/NZ-First}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Charlotte|first=Graham-McClay|date=17 October 2020|title=Kingmaker no more: Winston Peters consigned to NZ political history|website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/17/kingmaker-no-more-winston-peters-consigned-to-nz-political-history|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017104033/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/17/kingmaker-no-more-winston-peters-consigned-to-nz-political-history|archive-date=17 October 2020}}</ref>

Ardern moved the Labour Party further to the [[Centrism|centre]] during its campaign, promising to cut spending during the remainder of [[COVID-19 recession]] and controversially cancelling the government's promise to make the standard three years of [[Tertiary education in New Zealand|tertiary education]] tuition-free.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 September 2020 |title=Students disappointed Labour Party dropped fees-free plan |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018764206/students-disappointed-labour-party-dropped-fees-free-plan |access-date=17 July 2022 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooke |first=Henry |date=8 August 2020 |title=Election 2020: Labour launches an extremely centrist campaign |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300077606/election-2020-labour-launches-an-extremely-centrist-campaign |access-date=17 July 2022 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooke |first=Mandy Te, Matthew Tso, Laura Wiltshire and Henry |date=15 September 2020 |title=University students may reconsider futures after Labour breaks fees-free promise |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/300107808/university-students-may-reconsider-futures-after-labour-breaks-feesfree-promise |access-date=17 July 2022 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref> Doing so alienated some [[Left-wing politics|left-wing]] Labour supporters, giving the Green Party a boost in seat numbers and their victory in [[Auckland Central (New Zealand electorate)|Auckland Central]].<ref>{{cite web |title=What happens in a general election? |url=https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/about-elections/what-happens-in-a-general-election/ |website=Elections.nz |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] |accessdate=9 September 2020}}</ref> While results of opinion polls early in the year were neck-and-neck between the two major parties, Ardern and the Labour Government were praised for their response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand]]. Following the Level 4 lockdown in March 2020, polls began to suggest that Labour could either attain a [[majority government]] or could govern with [[Confidence and supply|confidence-and-supply]] from the Greens.<ref>{{cite web|date=9 March 2019|title=TV3 Poll Results {{!}} Reid Research {{!}} Independent Field Market Research|url=http://www.reidresearch.co.nz/TV3+POLL+RESULTS.html |access-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190309145318/http://www.reidresearch.co.nz/TV3+POLL+RESULTS.html|archive-date=9 March 2019}}</ref> In contrast, the [[Leader of the New Zealand National Party|leadership of the National Party]] changed twice in less than three months, unable to improve its poor polling results after collapsing in April 2020.<ref>{{cite web|date=10 July 2020|title=Weakness in National's third line of defence has spread to the front line – will it be able to regain credibility to critique the Government's Covid-19 response? |url=https://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/106000/weakness-nationals-third-line-defence-has-spread-front-line-will-it-be-able-regain|access-date=18 October 2020|website=interest.co.nz|archive-date=19 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019234745/https://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/106000/weakness-nationals-third-line-defence-has-spread-front-line-will-it-be-able-regain|url-status=live}}</ref> Heading a campaign widely perceived as centrist or centre-leaning,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooke |first=Henry |date=8 August 2020 |title=Election 2020: Labour launches an extremely centrist campaign |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300077606/election-2020-labour-launches-an-extremely-centrist-campaign |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 December 2020 |title=The secret of Jacinda Ardern's success lies in her conservatism {{!}} Bryce Edwards |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/25/the-secret-of-jacinda-arderns-success-lies-in-her-conservatism |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> Labour gained support from a large demographic of moderate [[swing vote]]rs, many of whom had previously voted for National under John Key. Approximately 16% of Labour's voters had voted for National in [[2017 New Zealand general election|the previous election]].<ref>{{cite web|date=8 August 2020|title=Election 2020: Labour launches an extremely centrist campaign|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300077606/election-2020-labour-launches-an-extremely-centrist-campaign|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Stuff|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017202335/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300077606/election-2020-labour-launches-an-extremely-centrist-campaign|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Luxon the most politically inexperienced leader in National history, One News, 30 November 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2022.</ref>

== Background ==

[[File:52nd New Zealand Parliament Seating.png|thumb|Parliamentary makeup prior to the 2020 election.
<br>''Government:''
{{Legend|{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}|Labour (46)}}
{{Legend|{{party color|New Zealand First}}|NZ First (9)}}
{{Legend|{{party color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}|Green (8)}}
''Opposition:''
{{Legend|{{party color|New Zealand National Party}}|National (55)}}
{{Legend|{{party color|ACT New Zealand}}|ACT (1)}}
{{Legend|gray|Independent (1)}}
]]
{{Further|Results of the 2017 New Zealand general election|52nd New Zealand Parliament}}

The final results of the [[2017 New Zealand general election|23 September 2017 election]] gave [[New Zealand National Party|National]] 56 seats, while [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]] and the [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Greens]] combined had 54 seats. [[New Zealand First]] won 9 seats and held the [[balance of power (parliament)|balance of power]]; it was in a position to give either National or Labour the 61 seats needed to form a government. On 19 October 2017, [[Winston Peters]], leader of New Zealand First, announced that he would form a coalition government with Labour.<ref name=Newshub>{{cite news |url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/10/full-video-nz-first-leader-winston-peters-announces-next-government.html |title=Full video: NZ First leader Winston Peters announces next Government |last=Chapman |first=Grant |date=19 October 2017 |work=[[Newshub]] |access-date=19 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019164112/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/10/full-video-nz-first-leader-winston-peters-announces-next-government.html |archive-date=19 October 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> On the same day, [[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|James Shaw]], leader of the Green Party, announced that his party would give [[confidence and supply]] to a Labour–NZ First government.<ref name=Newshub1>{{cite news |url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/10/an-historic-moment-for-the-green-party-james-shaw.html |title=An 'historic moment' for the Green Party – James Shaw |last=Hurley |first=Emma |date=19 October 2017 |work=[[Newshub]] |access-date=19 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019163305/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/10/an-historic-moment-for-the-green-party-james-shaw.html |archive-date=19 October 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Thus, Labour regained power after nine years in opposition, ending the [[Fifth National Government of New Zealand|Fifth National Government]] which had been in power for three terms (2008–2017). The 2017 election also marked the first time under MMP in New Zealand that a party led a government without commanding the plurality of the party vote.<ref name="MMP info">{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/features/what-is-the-mmp-voting-system/|title=What is the MMP voting system?|website=Parliament.nz|publisher=Electoral Commission|date=27 May 2020|access-date=9 September 2020|archive-date=9 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909053415/https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/features/what-is-the-mmp-voting-system/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 22 May 2020, [[May 2020 New Zealand National Party leadership election|a leadership election]] occurred following two poor polling results for the [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]], in which [[Todd Muller]] replaced [[Simon Bridges]] as leader and [[Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand)|Leader of the Opposition]], and [[Nikki Kaye]] replaced [[Paula Bennett]] as deputy leader of the party.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/417253/live-simon-bridges-loses-national-party-leadership-to-todd-muller |title=Simon Bridges loses National Party leadership to Todd Muller |date=22 May 2020 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |access-date=22 May 2020 |archive-date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525054607/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/417253/as-it-happened-simon-bridges-loses-national-party-leadership-to-todd-muller |url-status=live }}</ref> Muller himself then resigned on 14 July 2020 citing health reasons, leading to [[July 2020 New Zealand National Party leadership election|another leadership election]] later that day, in which Collins was voted into the National leadership position.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Todd Muller resigns as leader of National Party, Opposition in shock announcement|work=TVNZ|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/todd-muller-resigns-leader-national-party-opposition-in-shock-announcement|access-date=13 July 2020|archive-date=13 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713232544/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/todd-muller-resigns-leader-national-party-opposition-in-shock-announcement|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Electoral system ==
{{Main|Electoral system of New Zealand}}

New Zealand uses a [[mixed-member proportional]] (MMP) voting system to elect the [[New Zealand House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]. Each voter gets two votes, one for a political party (the party vote) and one for a local candidate (the electorate vote). Political parties that meet the [[Electoral threshold|threshold]] (5% of the party vote or one electorate seat) receive seats in the House in proportion to the percentage of the party vote they receive. 72 of the 120 seats are filled by the MPs elected from the [[New Zealand electorates|electorates]], with the winner in each electorate determined by the [[first-past-the-post]] method (i.e. most votes wins). The remaining 48 seats are filled by candidates from each party's [[closed list|closed]] [[party list]].<ref name="MMP info" /> If a party wins more electorates than seats it is entitled to under the party vote, an [[overhang seat|overhang]] results; in this case, the House will add extra seats to cover the overhang.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/have-your-say/vote-in-elections/|title=Vote in elections|website=Parliament.nz|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]|access-date=9 September 2020|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913071548/https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/have-your-say/vote-in-elections/|url-status=live}}</ref>

A political party or parties with the support of the majority of members in the House form the [[New Zealand Government|Government]]. Prior to this election, from the introduction of MMP in 1996 no single party had won enough votes to win an outright majority of seats; when no party has commanded a majority, parties have had to negotiate with other parties to form a [[coalition government]] or a [[minority government]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/why-an-absolute-majority-is-absolutely-possible-for-labour|title=Why an absolute majority is absolutely possible for Labour|first=Liam|last=Hehir|work=Newsroom|date=11 August 2020|access-date=9 September 2020|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913062011/https://www.newsroom.co.nz/why-an-absolute-majority-is-absolutely-possible-for-labour|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Electorate boundaries ===
[[File:New Zealand electorate population change, 2018 census.svg|thumb|upright=1.33|The 2014 electoral boundaries showing electorates out of tolerance following the 2018 census and Māori electoral option. Orange electorates were more than 5% above quota and therefore had to drop population. Blue electorates were more than 5% below quota and therefore had to add population.]]

Electorate boundaries for the next election are required to be redrawn after each [[New Zealand census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00015/redrawing-of-electorate-boundaries-soon-to-get-underway.htm|title=Redrawing of Electorate Boundaries Soon to Get Underway|work=Representation Commission|publisher=Scoop.co.nz|date=1 October 2013|access-date=9 September 2020|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913080436/https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00015/redrawing-of-electorate-boundaries-soon-to-get-underway.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The most recent census was held [[2018 New Zealand census|in 2018]].

By law, the number of [[South Island]] general electorates is fixed at 16,<ref>[[Electoral Act 1993]], section 35(3)(a).</ref><ref name="From 2018 Census">{{cite web|url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/number-of-electorates-and-electoral-populations-2018-census|title=Number of electorates and electoral populations: 2018 Census|website=Stats.govt.nz|publisher=[[Statistics New Zealand]]|date=23 September 2020|access-date=9 September 2020|archive-date=13 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213201633/https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/number-of-electorates-and-electoral-populations-2018-census|url-status=live}}</ref> with the number of [[North Island]] general electorates and Māori electorates increasing or decreasing in proportion to the population. Each electorate must have the same population, with a tolerance of plus or minus five percent.<ref name="From 2018 Census" /> For the [[2014 New Zealand general election|2014]] and [[2017 New Zealand general election|2017]] elections, there were 48 North Island general electorates and 7 Māori electorates, which, along with the 16 South Island electorates, gives a nationwide total of 71 electorates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/population/census_counts/NumberofElectoratesandElectoralPopulations_HOTP2013Census/Commentary.aspx|title=Number of Electorates and Electoral Populations: 2013 Census|website=Stats.govt.nz|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]|date=7 October 2020|access-date=9 September 2020|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913063258/http://archive.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/population/census_counts/NumberofElectoratesandElectoralPopulations_HOTP2013Census/Commentary.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 23 September 2019, [[Statistics New Zealand]] announced that population growth necessitated one additional North Island general electorate,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/116008966/census-new-zealand-to-gain-one-new-seat-in-2020-election |title=Gain of one new seat in 2020 election |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=23 September 2019 |access-date=21 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221231717/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/116008966/census-new-zealand-to-gain-one-new-seat-in-2020-election?rm=a |archive-date=21 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> bringing the total number of North Island general electorates to 49 and the overall number of electorates to 72 (reducing the number of list seats available by one).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/399394/census-2018-changing-population-sees-creation-of-new-north-island-electorate-seat|title=Census 2018: Changing population sees creation of new North Island electorate seat|date=23 September 2019|website=Radio NZ|access-date=23 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922235004/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/399394/census-2018-changing-population-sees-creation-of-new-north-island-electorate-seat|archive-date=22 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Statistics New Zealand also announced that 11 North Island, three South Island, and two Māori electorates were above 5% tolerance, while five South Island electorates and one Māori electorate were below 5% tolerance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/number-of-electorates-and-electoral-populations-2018-census |title=Number of electorates and electoral populations: 2018 Census {{!}} Stats NZ |website=Stats.govt.nz |access-date=13 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213201633/https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/number-of-electorates-and-electoral-populations-2018-census |archive-date=13 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Representation Commission undertook a review of electoral boundaries. This review was commenced in October 2019 and was completed in April 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Boundary Review 2019/20 |url=https://vote.nz/boundary-review-2019-2020/ |access-date=17 April 2020 |website=vote.nz |publisher=Electoral Commission |archive-date=29 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429065221/https://www.vote.nz/boundary-review-2019-2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The boundaries will apply in the 2020 general election, and the subsequent general election. In total, 36 electorates remained unchanged, 35 electorates were modified, and one new electorate created. The most significant boundary changes occurred in the [[Auckland Region|Auckland]], [[Waikato]], central [[Canterbury Region|Canterbury]], and [[Otago]] regions, with smaller changes in the [[Northland Region|Northland]] and [[Tasman District|Tasman]] regions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Map of current and proposed electorates |url=https://vote.nz/map/index.html?id=6&modified=20191115033549 |access-date=14 April 2020 |website=vote.nz |publisher=Electoral Commission |archive-date=24 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224012654/https://vote.nz/map/index.html?id=6&modified=20191115033549 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The new electorate was created in [[South Auckland]] and named {{NZ electorate link|Takanini}}. Taking area from the Hunua, Manurewa, and Papakura electorates, Takanini is predicted to be a National-tilting to marginal electorate.<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 November 2019|title=National could take new Flat Bush electorate – academics|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/403752/national-could-take-new-flat-bush-electorate-academics|access-date=17 July 2020|website=RNZ|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809141030/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/403752/national-could-take-new-flat-bush-electorate-academics|url-status=live}}</ref> Takanini's creation cascaded existing electorates north through Auckland and south through Waikato. Significant changes to the north include Manukau East taking [[Sylvia Park]] and [[Panmure, New Zealand|Panmure]] from Maungakiekie, with the electorate renamed [[Panmure-Ōtāhuhu]]; New Lynn taking the Waitakere Ranges from Helensville; Helensville taking [[Wellsford]], [[Warkworth, New Zealand|Warkworth]] and the Kowhai Coast from Rodney and Northland, with the electorate renamed [[Kaipara ki Mahurangi]]; and Rodney taking Dairy Flat from Helensville and being renamed {{NZ electorate link|Whangaparāoa}}. To the south, Papakura took the entire Hunua electorate east of State Highway 1, in exchange for Hunua taking the northern part of the Waikato electorate as far south as, and including, [[Te Kauwhata]]. Hunua subsequently returned to its pre-2008 name, [[Port Waikato (New Zealand electorate)|Port Waikato]]. Waikato took [[Te Aroha]] and the remainder of the Matamata-Piako District area from Coromandel, allowing Coromandel to take [[Ōmokoroa]] from Bay of Plenty.<ref name="Representation Commission report">{{Cite web|title=Read the Report of the Representation Commission 2020|url=https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/historical-events/boundary-review-2019-2020/read-the-report-of-the-representation-commission-2020/|access-date=17 July 2020|website=Elections.nz|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]|archive-date=9 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709014557/https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/historical-events/boundary-review-2019-2020/read-the-report-of-the-representation-commission-2020/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the South Island, Selwyn lost the [[Rakaia]] area to Rangitata, Mcleans Island and [[Christchurch Airport]] to Ilam, and [[Hornby, New Zealand|Hornby South]] to Wigram. Ilam gained [[Avonhead]] from Wigram, allowing Wigram to take [[Aidanfield]] from Port Hills, which in turn allowed Port Hills to take the entire [[Banks Peninsula]] from Selwyn. Port Hills subsequently returned to its pre-2008 name of [[Banks Peninsula (New Zealand electorate)|Banks Peninsula]]. Clutha-Southland lost the [[Tuatapere]]-[[Te Waewae Bay|Te Waewae]] area to Invercargill and [[Balclutha, New Zealand|Balclutha]], [[Milton, New Zealand|Milton]] and the lower Clutha Valley to Dunedin South, while gaining [[Alexandra, New Zealand|Alexandra]], [[Clyde, New Zealand|Clyde]] and the Clutha Valley upstream of [[Beaumont, New Zealand|Beaumont]] from Waitaki. Waitaki in turn took the [[Palmerston, New Zealand|Palmerston]] area from Dunedin North, allowing Dunedin North to take the [[Otago Peninsula]] from Dunedin South. The Otago-Southland boundary changes saw three electorates change names: Clutha-Southland to [[Southland (New Zealand electorate)|Southland]], Dunedin North to [[Dunedin (New Zealand electorate)|Dunedin]], and Dunedin South to [[Taieri (New Zealand electorate)|Taieri]]. In the Tasman region, the town of [[Brightwater]] moved from Nelson to West Coast-Tasman to bring the latter electorate within quota.<ref name="Representation Commission report" />

Two electorates had name changes to correct their spelling. Rimutaka was renamed {{NZ electorate link|Remutaka}} in line with its namesake, the [[Remutaka Range]], which was renamed in 2017 as part of a Treaty of Waitangi settlement. The {{NZ electorate link|Whangārei}} electorate was renamed by adding a [[Macron (diacritic)|macron]] to the second "a".<ref name="Representation Commission report" />

== Schedule ==
[[File:GGNZ issuing writ for 2020 general election.jpg|thumb|Governor-General Dame [[Patsy Reddy]] (right) issues the writ for the election before the chief electoral officer, Alicia Wright (left), on 13 September 2020.]]
Unless an early election is called or the election date is set to circumvent holding a by-election, a general election is held every three years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/about-elections/what-happens-in-a-general-election/|title=What happens in a general election?|website=Elections.nz|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]|access-date=9 September 2020|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913082348/https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/about-elections/what-happens-in-a-general-election/|url-status=live}}</ref> The previous election was held on 23 September 2017.

The [[Governor-General of New Zealand|governor-general]] ([[Patsy Reddy]]) must issue [[Writ of election|writs]] for an election within seven days of the expiration or dissolution of the current parliament. Under section 17 of the [[Constitution Act 1986]], parliament expires three years "from the day fixed for the return of the writs issued for the last preceding general election of members of the House of Representatives, and no longer." The writs for the 2017 election were returned on 12 October 2017;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/footer/about-us/office-of-the-clerk/office-of-the-clerk-media-releases/media-release-2017-general-election-writ-returned/|title=Media release: 2017 General Election writ returned|website=Parliament.nz|publisher=[[New Zealand Parliament]]|date=12 October 2017|access-date=9 September 2020|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913065616/https://www.parliament.nz/en/footer/about-us/office-of-the-clerk/office-of-the-clerk-media-releases/media-release-2017-general-election-writ-returned/|url-status=live}}</ref> as a result, the 52nd Parliament would have to dissolve no later than 12 October 2020. Consequently, the last day for issuance of the writs of election is 19 October 2020. Since the passage of the Electoral Amendment Act 2020,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Electoral Amendment Act 2020 No 2, Public Act 21 Regulation 27 amended (Voting by special voter) – New Zealand Legislation|url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2020/0002/latest/LMS234398.html|access-date=1 December 2020|website=www.legislation.govt.nz}}</ref> which came into force on 11 March 2020, the writs must be returned within 60 days of their issuance (save for any judicial recount, death of a candidate, or emergency adjournment),<ref name=legislation1>{{cite web |url=http://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0087/latest/DLM309482.html |title=Electoral Act 1993, Sec. 139 |date=2 July 2020 |website=Legislation.co.nz |access-date=17 August 2020 |archive-date=13 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913075629/http://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0087/latest/DLM309482.html |url-status=live }}</ref> which would be 18 December 2020. Because polling day must be on a Saturday,<ref name=legislation1 /> and ten days is required for counting of special votes,<ref name="counting votes">{{cite web|url=https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/about-elections/how-are-general-election-votes-counted/|title=How are general election votes counted?|website=Elections.nz|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]|access-date=10 September 2020|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913073112/https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/about-elections/how-are-general-election-votes-counted/|url-status=live}}</ref> the last possible date for this general election is 21 November 2020.<ref name="date prediction">{{cite news |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/08-01-2020/on-what-day-will-the-new-zealand-2020-election-be-held/ |title=When will the New Zealand 2020 election be held? |first1=Toby |last1=Manhire |work=[[The Spinoff]] |date=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610164240/https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/08-01-2020/on-what-day-will-the-new-zealand-2020-election-be-held/|archive-date=10 June 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Manhire |first1=Toby |title=Will the 2020 election be delayed, and if so till when? |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/16-08-2020/will-the-2020-election-be-delayed-and-if-so-till-when/ |access-date=11 September 2020 |work=The Spinoff |date=16 August 2020 |archive-date=18 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918081753/https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/16-08-2020/will-the-2020-election-be-delayed-and-if-so-till-when/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 28 January 2020, Ardern announced that the election would be held on 19 September,<ref name="date prediction"/> with the 52nd Parliament holding its last sitting day on 6 August and dissolving on 12 August.<ref name="election date">{{Cite news|last=Young|first=Audrey|date=28 January 2020|title=Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reveals September 19 election date|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12303984|url-status=live|access-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128021253/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12303984|archive-date=28 January 2020|issn=1170-0777|quote=Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced the general election will be held on September 19.}}</ref> On 17 August 2020, Ardern delayed the election to 17 October,<ref name="Stuff: delayed2222"/> with the dissolution of Parliament delayed until 6 September.<ref name="Interest: delayed">{{cite news|url=https://www.interest.co.nz/news/106573/general-election-be-moved-october-17-september-19-dissolution-parliament-deferred|title=Election deferred by four weeks to October 17; Treasury's pre-election economic update pushed out|first=Jenée|last=Tibshraeny|website=Interest.co.nz|date=17 August 2020|access-date=17 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817011425/https://www.interest.co.nz/news/106573/general-election-be-moved-october-17-september-19-dissolution-parliament-deferred|archive-date=17 August 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The writ date for the election, which was originally set for 16 August,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Party Secretary Handbook: General Election and Referendums 2020|url=https://elections.nz/assets/Handbooks/Party-Secretary-Handbook-2020.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613044241/https://elections.nz/assets/Handbooks/Party-Secretary-Handbook-2020.pdf|archive-date=13 June 2020|access-date=21 April 2020}}</ref> was subsequently delayed until 13 September.<ref name="about the election" /> Political parties would have had to be registered by this day to contest the party vote.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Registering a party {{!}} Elections|url=https://www.elections.nz/guidance-and-rules/for-starting-a-political-party/registering-a-party/|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]|access-date=21 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121044057/https://www.elections.nz/guidance-and-rules/for-starting-a-political-party/registering-a-party/|archive-date=21 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

The timetable for the general election was as follows:<ref name="about the election" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Election day will be 17 October|url=https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2020/election-day-will-be-17-october/|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Elections.nz|publisher=Electoral Commission|archive-date=17 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817023758/https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2020/election-day-will-be-17-october/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" 
|28 January 2020 (Tuesday)
|Prime Minister Ardern announces the general election will be held on 19 September.
|-
|6 July 2020 (Monday)
|[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] begins enrolment update campaign.
|-
|18 July 2020 (Saturday)
|Election hoardings may be erected (subject to local council rules).
|-
|17 August 2020 (Monday)
|Prime Minister Ardern changes the election date to 17 October due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand|COVID-19]] pandemic.
|-
|18 August 2020 (Tuesday)
|The regulated election advertising period begins.
|-
|6 September 2020 (Sunday)
|The 52nd Parliament is dissolved.
|-
|13 September 2020 (Sunday)
|'''Writ day''' – Governor-General issues formal direction to the Electoral Commission to hold the election.<br />Last day to ordinarily enrol to vote (late enrolments must cast special votes)<br />Official campaigning begins; radio and television advertising begins
|-
|17 September 2020 (Thursday)
|Deadline (12:00) for registered parties to lodge bulk nominations of candidates and party lists.
|-
|18 September 2020 (Friday)
|Deadline (12:00) for individual candidates to lodge nominations.
|-
|30 September 2020 (Wednesday)
|Overseas voting begins
|-
|3 October 2020 (Saturday)
|Advance voting begins
|-
|16 October 2020 (Friday)
|Advance and overseas voting ends.<br />Last day to enrol to vote (except in-person at polling places).<br />The regulated election advertising period ends; all election advertising must be taken down by 23:59.
|-
|17 October 2020 (Saturday)
|'''Election day''' – polling places open 09:00 to 19:00.<br />People may enrol in-person at polling places.<br />Preliminary election results released progressively after 19:00
|-
|30 October 2020 (Friday)
|Preliminary referendum results released
|-
|6 November 2020 (Friday)
|'''Official election and referendum results declared'''
|-
|20 November 2020 (Friday)
|Writ for election returned; official declaration of elected members (subject to judicial recounts)
|-
|25 November 2020 (Wednesday)
|The 53rd Parliament meets for the first time
|}

=== Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic ===
{{see also|COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand}}
The original date of 19 September was announced before the [[COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand|COVID-19 pandemic had reached New Zealand]]. In April 2020, the National Party doubted that the public would be ready for an election in September, and [[New Zealand First]] leader [[Winston Peters]] called for the election to be delayed to 21 November.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/413822/covid-19-opposition-doubts-public-will-be-ready-for-september-election|title=Covid-19: Opposition doubts public will be ready for September election|date=9 April 2020|work=[[Radio New Zealand]]|language=en-nz|access-date=9 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417130401/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/413822/covid-19-opposition-doubts-public-will-be-ready-for-september-election|archive-date=17 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120923205/coronvirus-winston-peters-says-the-election-should-be-delayed-due-to-covid19|title=Coronvirus: Winston Peters says the election should be delayed due to Covid-19|last=Manch|first=Thomas|date=9 April 2020|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605052811/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120923205/coronvirus-winston-peters-says-the-election-should-be-delayed-due-to-covid19|archive-date=5 June 2020|access-date=9 April 2020}}</ref> In May 2020, Ardern said she did not intend to change the date of the election and Chief Electoral Officer Alicia Wright said that the Electoral Commission was working to the dates originally set by the Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite news|date=16 March 2020|title=Ardern holding to Sept 19 election despite Covid-19|url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/page/ardern-holding-to-sept-19-election-despite-covid-19|access-date=26 July 2020|work=[[Newsroom (website)|Newsroom]]|language=en-NZ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816232346/https://www.newsroom.co.nz/page/ardern-holding-to-sept-19-election-despite-covid-19|archive-date=16 August 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

After new cases of community transmission in Auckland were reported on 11 August 2020, with the [[COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand#Alert level system|COVID-19 alert level]] being raised to level 3 in the Auckland region and level 2 elsewhere, there were growing calls to delay the dissolution of Parliament and the election.<ref name="August campaign suspension" /> The following day, Collins called for the election to be delayed until at least after November with the aim of allowing parties more time to campaign,<ref>{{cite news|last=Walls|first=Jason|date=12 August 2020|title=National leader Judith Collins calls for election to be delayed; attacks 'lack of transparency'|language=en-NZ|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12356015|access-date=12 August 2020|issn=1170-0777|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812110018/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12356015|archive-date=12 August 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and all major political parties suspended their campaigns.<ref>{{cite web|date=12 August 2020|title=Election campaigning suspended due to new Covid-19 alert|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/423321/election-campaigning-suspended-due-to-new-covid-19-alert|access-date=12 August 2020|work=[[Radio New Zealand]]|language=en-nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812105431/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/423321/election-campaigning-suspended-due-to-new-covid-19-alert|archive-date=12 August 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Delaying the dissolution of parliament beyond 12 October 2020, and therefore the election date beyond 28 November 2020, would require a legislative amendment. As the length of the parliamentary term is [[Entrenched clause|entrenched]], such an amendment would require a 75% [[supermajority]] to pass.<ref>{{cite news|date=12 August 2020|title=Dissolving Parliament – what is that?|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/the-house/audio/2018759138/dissolving-parliament-what-is-that|access-date=12 August 2020|work=[[Radio New Zealand]]|language=en-nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816232907/https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/the-house/audio/2018759138/dissolving-parliament-what-is-that|archive-date=16 August 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 12 August 2020, Prime Minister Ardern delayed the dissolution of Parliament until 17 August and was seeking advice from the Electoral Commission regarding the election timeline. On 17 August, Ardern announced that the general election would be pushed back to 17 October while the dissolution of Parliament would be delayed until 6 September.<ref name="Stuff: delayed2222"/><ref name="Interest: delayed" />

The Chief Electoral Officer has powers under the Electoral Act to delay polling at some or all polling places for up to three days due to unforeseen circumstances. This can be extended for up to seven days at a time following consultation with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.<ref>{{cite news|date=11 August 2020|title=Coronavirus: Parliament dissolution delayed, but election still set for September 19|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300079899/coronavirus-parliament-dissolution-delayed-but-election-still-set-for-september-19|url-status=live|access-date=11 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816233013/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300079899/coronavirus-parliament-dissolution-delayed-but-election-still-set-for-september-19|archive-date=16 August 2020}}</ref>

== Parties and candidates ==
{{further|Candidates in the 2020 New Zealand general election by electorate|Party lists in the 2020 New Zealand general election}}
Political parties registered with the Electoral Commission can contest the general election as a party. To register, parties must have at least 500 financial members, an auditor, and an appropriate party name.<ref>[[Electoral Act 1993]], section 63.</ref> A registered party may submit a party list to contest the party vote, and can have a party campaign expenses limit in addition to limits on individual candidates' campaigns. Unregistered parties and independents can contest the electorate vote only.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/political-parties-in-new-zealand/|title=Political parties in New Zealand|website=Elections.nz|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]|access-date=9 September 2020|archive-date=24 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824065531/https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/political-parties-in-new-zealand/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Seventeen of the eighteen registered parties submitted a list and contested the general election. The [[Mana Party]] did not submit a party list or apply for a broadcasting allocation, and has endorsed and offered its resources to the [[Māori Party]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Braae|first=Alex|title=Rivalry over: Mana Movement throws its full support behind Māori Party for 2020|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/20-06-2020/rivalry-over-mana-movement-throws-its-full-support-behind-maori-party-for-2020/|access-date=20 June 2020|website=The Spinoff|date=20 June 2020|archive-date=21 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621075542/https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/20-06-2020/rivalry-over-mana-movement-throws-its-full-support-behind-maori-party-for-2020/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! colspan="2" | Party
! Leader(s)
! Founded
!class=unsortable| Ideology
! 2017 result
! 2017 seats
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
|{{Sortname|Judith|Collins}}|| 1936 ||[[Liberal conservatism]]|| 44.45% || 56
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand Labour Party}}
|{{Sortname|Jacinda|Ardern}}|| 1916 ||[[Social democracy]]|| 36.89% || 46
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand First}}
|{{Sortname|Winston|Peters}}|| 1993 ||[[Nationalism]], [[populism]]|| 7.20% || 9
|-
|{{party name with color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}
|{{Sortname|James|Shaw|dab=New Zealand politician}} / [[Marama Davidson]]|| 1990 ||[[Green politics]], [[social democracy]]|| 6.27% || 8
|-
|{{party name with color|ACT New Zealand}}
|{{Sortname|David|Seymour|dab=New Zealand politician}}|| 1994 ||[[Classical liberalism]], [[right-libertarianism]]|| 0.50% || 1
|-
|{{party name with color|The Opportunities Party}} (TOP)
|{{Sortname|Geoff|Simmons}}|| 2016 ||[[Radical centrism]], [[environmentalism]]|| 2.44% || 0
|-
|{{party name with color|Māori Party}}
|{{Sortname|John|Tamihere}}{{Efn||name=maori-leader}} / [[Debbie Ngarewa-Packer]]|| 2004 ||[[Māori rights]]|| 1.18% || 0
|-
|{{party name with color|Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party}}
| {{Sortname|Maki|Herbert|nolink=1}} / [[Michael Appleby (politician)|Michael Appleby]]|| 1996 ||[[Cannabis legalisation]]|| 0.31% || 0
|-
|{{party name with color|New Conservative Party (New Zealand)}}
|{{Sortname|Leighton|Baker}}|| 2011 ||[[Conservatism]], [[right-wing populism]]|| 0.24% || 0
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand Outdoors Party}}
| {{Sortname|Sue|Grey|Sue Grey (lawyer)}} / Alan Simmons || 2015 ||[[Environmentalism]], [[conspiracism]]|| 0.06% || 0
|-
|{{party name with color|Social Credit Party (New Zealand)}}
|{{Sortname|Chris|Leitch|dab=politician}} || 1953 ||[[Social credit]], [[economic democracy]]|| 0.03% || 0
|-
|{{party name with color|Advance New Zealand}}
|{{Sortname|Jami-Lee|Ross}} / [[Billy Te Kahika]]|| 2020 ||[[Conspiracism]]|| — || 0{{efn-lr|name=AdvanceExplain|Jami-Lee Ross, the leader of Advance, was an incumbent member of parliament, having been elected as a National MP in 2017 before leaving the party. However, officially he was an independent MP and not affiliated with a party.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Members of Parliament – New Zealand Parliament|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/|access-date=31 August 2020|website=www.parliament.nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922164019/https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/|archive-date=22 September 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|-
|{{party name with color|Heartland New Zealand Party}}
|{{Sortname|Mark|Ball}} || 2020 ||[[Agrarianism]]|| — || 0
|-
|{{party name with color|ONE Party}}
|{{Sortname|Edward|Shanly|nolink=1}} / Stephanie Harawira || 2020 ||[[Christian fundamentalism]]|| — || 0
|-
|{{party name with color|Sustainable New Zealand Party}}
|{{Sortname|Vernon|Tava}}|| 2019 ||[[Environmentalism]], [[centrism]]|| — || 0
|-
|{{party name with color|Tea Party New Zealand}}
|{{Sortname|John|Hong|nolink=1}} / Susanna Kruger || 2020 ||[[Anti-racism]], [[fiscal conservatism]]|| — || 0
|-
|{{party name with color|Vision NZ}}
|{{Sortname|Hannah|Tamaki}} || 2019 ||[[Christian nationalism]]|| — || 0
|-
|}
{{notelist-lr}}

=== MPs not standing for re-election ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
! Name
! colspan=2|Party
! Electorate/[[List MP|List]]
! Term in office
! Date announced
! width=60% | Notes
|-
| [[David Carter (politician)|David Carter]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| List
| 1994–2020
| 17 October 2018<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/107924432/chris-finlayson-and-david-carter-to-leave-parliament-by-next-election |title=Chris Finlayson and David Carter to leave Parliament by next election |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=17 October 2018 |access-date=3 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044234/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/107924432/chris-finlayson-and-david-carter-to-leave-parliament-by-next-election |archive-date=6 March 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|
|-
| [[Ruth Dyson]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand Labour Party}}
| [[Port Hills (New Zealand electorate)|Port Hills]]
| 1993–2020
| 3 March 2019<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/110996324/port-hills-mp-ruth-dyson-to-stand-down-at-next-election |title=Port Hills MP Ruth Dyson to stand down at next election |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=3 March 2019 |access-date=3 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303100312/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/110996324/port-hills-mp-ruth-dyson-to-stand-down-at-next-election |archive-date=3 March 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|
|-
| [[Alastair Scott (politician)|Alastair Scott]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| [[Wairarapa (New Zealand electorate)|Wairarapa]]
| 2014–2020
| 25 June 2019<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/06/national-mp-alastair-scott-to-stand-down-in-2020.html |title=National MP Alastair Scott to stand down in 2020 |work=Newshub |first=Vita |last=Molyneux |date=25 June 2019 |access-date=25 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190625010630/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/06/national-mp-alastair-scott-to-stand-down-in-2020.html |archive-date=25 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|
|-
| [[Nathan Guy]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| [[Ōtaki (New Zealand electorate)|Ōtaki]]
| 2005–2020
| 30 July 2019<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/395542/national-s-otaki-mp-nathan-guy-to-retire-at-next-election |title=National's Ōtaki MP Nathan Guy to retire at next election |work=Radio New Zealand |date=30 July 2019 |access-date=31 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730181311/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/395542/national-s-otaki-mp-nathan-guy-to-retire-at-next-election |archive-date=30 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|
|-
| [[Clare Curran]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand Labour Party}}
| [[Dunedin South]]
| 2008–2020
| 27 August 2019<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/08/clare-curran-to-leave-parliament-at-2020-election.html |title=Clare Curran to leave Parliament at 2020 election |work=Newshub |first=Katie |last=Fitzgerald |date=27 August 2019 |access-date=27 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827010400/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/08/clare-curran-to-leave-parliament-at-2020-election.html |archive-date=27 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|
|-
| [[Maggie Barry]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| [[North Shore (New Zealand electorate)|North Shore]]
| 2011–2020
| 5 November 2019<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/117171219/national-mp-maggie-barry-announces-retirement-at-2020-election |title=National MP Maggie Barry announces retirement at 2020 election |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |first=Henry |last=Cooke |date=5 November 2019 |access-date=4 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104234350/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/117171219/national-mp-maggie-barry-announces-retirement-at-2020-election |archive-date=4 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|
|-
| [[Gareth Hughes (politician)|Gareth Hughes]]
| {{party name with color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}
| List
| 2010–2020
| 17 November 2019<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12285840 |title=Green Party MP Gareth Hughes retiring, won't seek re-election |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]  |date=17 November 2019 |access-date=16 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117093202/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12285840 |archive-date=17 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|
|-
| [[Sarah Dowie]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| [[Invercargill (New Zealand electorate)|Invercargill]]
| 2014–2020
| rowspan=2| 11 February 2020<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12307627 |title=Sarah Dowie, David Carter, Nicky Wagner – National MPs not contesting 2020 election |date=11 February 2020 |access-date=10 February 2020 |archive-date=11 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211131729/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12307627 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Initially re-selected as Invercargill candidate
|-
| [[Nicky Wagner]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| List
| 2005–2020
|
|-
| [[Clayton Mitchell (New Zealand politician)|Clayton Mitchell]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand First}}
| List
| 2014–2020
| 5 June 2020<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/06/new-zealand-first-mp-clayton-mitchell-stepping-down-after-2020-election.html |title=New Zealand First MP Clayton Mitchell stepping down after 2020 election |work=Newshub |date=5 June 2020 |access-date=5 June 2020 |archive-date=5 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605041741/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/06/new-zealand-first-mp-clayton-mitchell-stepping-down-after-2020-election.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|
|-
| [[Anne Tolley]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| [[East Coast (New Zealand electorate)|East Coast]]
| 1999–2002<br />2005–2020
| 27 June 2020<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300043727/anne-tolley-to-retire-from-parliament-this-year |title=Anne Tolley to retire from Parliament this year |date=27 June 2020 |access-date=27 June 2020 |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628113458/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300043727/anne-tolley-to-retire-from-parliament-this-year |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Initially announced on 20 December 2019 as list-only with intention of becoming [[Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Anne Tolley to go list only in 2020, citing ambitions to be Speaker |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/118360382/anne-tolley-to-go-list-only-in-2020-citing-ambitions-to-be-speaker |website=Stuff |first=Thomas |last=Coughlan |date=20 December 2019 |access-date=19 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220022629/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/118360382/anne-tolley-to-go-list-only-in-2020-citing-ambitions-to-be-speaker |archive-date=20 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Paula Bennett]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| [[Upper Harbour (New Zealand electorate)|Upper Harbour]]
| 2005–2020
| 29 June 2020<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/06/former-national-party-deputy-leader-paula-bennett-to-retire-from-politics-at-2020-election.html |title=Former National Party deputy leader Paula Bennett to retire from politics at 2020 election |work=Newshub |date=29 June 2020 |access-date=28 June 2020 |archive-date=29 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629215211/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/06/former-national-party-deputy-leader-paula-bennett-to-retire-from-politics-at-2020-election.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Initially announced on 14 August 2019 as list-only<ref>{{cite news |last1=Whyte |first1=Anna |title=Paula Bennett will run National's 2020 election campaign, not stand for Upper Harbour seat |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/paula-bennett-run-nationals-2020-election-campaign-not-stand-upper-harbour-seat |access-date=15 August 2019 |publisher=[[1 News]] Now |date=14 August 2019 |archive-date=14 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814205945/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/paula-bennett-run-nationals-2020-election-campaign-not-stand-upper-harbour-seat |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Hamish Walker]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| [[Clutha-Southland (New Zealand electorate)|Clutha-Southland]]
| 2017–2020
| 8 July 2020
| Was re-selected as candidate for the Southland electorate but resigned after leaking private information of COVID-19 patients.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/mp-hamish-walker-steps-down-as-national-party-s-southland-candidate-over-covid-19-patient-data-breach.html |title=MP Hamish Walker steps down as National Party's Southland candidate over COVID-19 patient data breach |work=Newshub |date=8 July 2020 |access-date=8 July 2020 |archive-date=8 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708120124/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/mp-hamish-walker-steps-down-as-national-party-s-southland-candidate-over-covid-19-patient-data-breach.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Jian Yang (politician)|Jian Yang]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| List
| 2011–2020
| 10 July 2020<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/national-mp-jian-yang-who-admitted-to-training-chinese-spies-to-retire-from-politics.html |title=National MP Jian Yang who admitted to training Chinese spies to retire from politics |work=Newshub |date=10 July 2020 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=9 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709225316/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/national-mp-jian-yang-who-admitted-to-training-chinese-spies-to-retire-from-politics.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|
|-
| [[Nikki Kaye]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| [[Auckland Central (New Zealand electorate)|Auckland Central]]
| 2008–2020
| rowspan="2" | 16 July 2020<ref name="nikki-and-amy">{{cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/421312/national-mps-nikki-kaye-and-amy-adams-quitting-politics|title=National MPs Nikki Kaye and Amy Adams quitting politics|website=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=16 July 2020|access-date=15 July 2020|archive-date=15 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715231447/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/421312/national-mps-nikki-kaye-and-amy-adams-quitting-politics|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Was re-selected as candidate for the Auckland Central electorate but resigned following the resignation of Todd Muller, to whom she was deputy.
|-
| [[Amy Adams (politician)|Amy Adams]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| [[Selwyn (New Zealand electorate)|Selwyn]]
| 2008–2020
| Announced intention to retire from politics at upcoming election on 25 June 2019,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12243700 |title=National's Amy Adams retiring from politics at 2020 election |date=25 June 2019 |work= [[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=25 June 2019 |archive-date=25 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190625030528/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12243700 |url-status=live }}</ref> and a new National candidate was subsequently selected for Selwyn.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cooke |first=Henry |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/117306482/national-puts-former-journalist-nicola-grigg-forward-for-safest-seat-in-nz |title=National puts former journalist Nicola Grigg forward for safest seat in NZ |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=10 November 2019 |access-date=19 December 2019 |archive-date=18 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218121633/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/117306482/national-puts-former-journalist-nicola-grigg-forward-for-safest-seat-in-nz |url-status=live }}</ref> After a [[May 2020 New Zealand National Party leadership election|leadership change in the National Party]], she reversed her decision and announced she would stand again as a list-only candidate.<ref>{{cite book|title=National leader Todd Muller reshuffles caucus: Adams rises, Tolley falls in new lineup|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/417462/national-leader-todd-muller-reshuffles-caucus-adams-rises-tolley-falls-in-new-lineup|date=25 May 2020|website=[[Radio New Zealand]]|language=en-nz|access-date=25 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525051921/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/417462/national-leader-todd-muller-reshuffles-caucus-adams-rises-tolley-falls-in-new-lineup|archive-date=25 May 2020}}</ref> Adams announced her retirement again shortly after [[Todd Muller]] resigned as the party leader.
|-
|[[Raymond Huo]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand Labour Party}}
|List
|2008–2014<br />2017–2020
|21 July 2020
|Initially re-selected as a list-only candidate (rank 26) but later announced he would not contest the election.<ref>{{cite news|last=Walls|first=Jason|date=21 July 2020|title=Labour list MP Raymond Huo announces retirement from politics|language=en-NZ|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12349713|access-date=21 July 2020|issn=1170-0777|archive-date=21 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721093005/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12349713|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[Iain Lees-Galloway]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand Labour Party}}
|[[Palmerston North (New Zealand electorate)|Palmerston North]]
|2008–2020
|22 July 2020
|Initially re-selected as candidate for Palmerston North and ranked 13 on the Labour Party list, but later announced he would not contest the election after being removed as a Minister for having a consensual, but inappropriate relationship with a former staff member.<ref>{{cite web|date=22 July 2020|title=Workplace Relations Minister Iain Lees-Galloway dismissed following relationship with staffer|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122208470/workplace-relations-minister-iain-leesgalloway-dismissed-following-relationship-with-staffer|access-date=24 July 2020|website=Stuff|archive-date=21 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721232449/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122208470/workplace-relations-minister-iain-leesgalloway-dismissed-following-relationship-with-staffer|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

=== MPs standing for re-election as list-only MPs ===
Some incumbents who had previously stood in an electorate (but may have been returned as list representatives) stood as list-only candidates in the 2020 election.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
! Name
! colspan=2|Party
! Electorate/[[List MP|List]]
! {{nowrap|Term in office}}
! {{nowrap|Date announced}}
! Notes
|-
| [[Kris Faafoi]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand Labour Party}}
| [[Mana (New Zealand electorate)|Mana]]
| 2010–present
| 8 February 2020<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/409092/labour-mp-for-mana-kris-faafoi-says-he-will-run-as-a-list-candidate-at-this-year-s-election | title=Labour MP for Mana Kris Faafoi says he will run as a list candidate at this year's election| website=[[Radio New Zealand]]| date=8 February 2020}}</ref>
|
|-
| [[Paulo Garcia (New Zealand politician)|Paulo Garcia]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| List
| 2019–2020
| 11 February 2020<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/119419661/invercargill-mp-sarah-dowie-unexpectedly-retires-from-parliament |title=Invercargill MP Sarah Dowie unexpectedly retires from Parliament |publisher=Stuff/Fairfax |date=11 February 2020 |access-date=31 May 2020 |first=Thomas |last=Manch |archive-date=17 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717063412/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/119419661/invercargill-mp-sarah-dowie-unexpectedly-retires-from-parliament |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Stood in the {{NZ electorate link|New Lynn}} electorate at the {{NZ election link|2017}}
|-
| {{nowrap|[[Julie Anne Genter]]}}
| {{party name with color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}
| List
| 2011–present
| 25 May 2020<ref>{{cite news |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |last1=Wade |first1=Amelia |title=Chloe Swarbrick gets a major promotion in the Green Party |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12334339 |date=25 May 2020 |access-date=24 May 2020 |archive-date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525151048/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12334339 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Stood in the {{NZ electorate link|Mount Albert}} electorate at the {{NZ election link|2017}}
|-
| [[Louisa Wall]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand Labour Party}}
| [[Manurewa (New Zealand electorate)|Manurewa]]
| 2008<br />2011–present
| 29 May 2020
| Faced two challengers at the 30 May reselection as the Labour candidate in Manurewa, but withdrew to stand as a list-only candidate<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12335909 |title=Labour's Louisa Wall pulls out of Manurewa selection |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=29 May 2020 |access-date=29 May 2020 |archive-date=29 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529170219/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12335909 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[Jami-Lee Ross]]
|{{party name with color|Independent politician}}<br />([[Advance New Zealand|Advance&nbsp;NZ]])
|[[Botany (New Zealand electorate)|Botany]]
|2011–2020
|15 September 2020
|Previously a National MP, Ross left that party in 2018 and began sitting as an independent. He announced he would contest Botany for the Advance New Zealand party, but later decided to only seek a list position.<ref>{{cite web|date=14 September 2020|title=Election 2020: Jami-Lee Ross will not contest Botany seat in Auckland|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122766214/election-2020-jamilee-ross-will-not-contest-botany-seat-in-auckland|access-date=15 September 2020|website=Stuff|archive-date=15 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915231938/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122766214/election-2020-jamilee-ross-will-not-contest-botany-seat-in-auckland|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

== Campaigning ==

=== Expense limits and broadcasting allocations ===
[[File:Dunedin Northern Motorway at Pinehill, 28 August 2020.jpg|thumb|Election hoardings lining the Dunedin Northern Motorway, August 2020]]
During the regulated period prior to election day, parties and candidates have limits on how much they may spend on election campaigning. The limits are updated every year to reflect inflation. It is illegal in New Zealand to campaign on election day itself, or within 10 metres of an advance polling booth.<ref>[[Electoral Act 1993]], section 197.</ref>

For the 2020 general election, the regulated period ran from 18 August to 16 October 2020. Every registered party contending the party vote was permitted to spend [[NZD|$]]1,199,000 plus $28,200 per electorate candidate on campaigning during the regulated period, excluding radio and television campaigning (broadcasting funding is allocated separately). For example, a registered party with candidates in all 72 electorates was permitted to spend $3,229,400 on campaigning for the party vote. Electorate candidates were permitted to spend $28,200 each on campaigning for the electorate vote.<ref name="regulated period">{{Cite web|title=Change in regulated period|url=https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2020/change-in-regulated-period/|access-date=22 August 2020|website=Elections.nz|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913081625/https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2020/change-in-regulated-period/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Registered parties are allocated a separate broadcasting budget for radio and television campaigning. Only money from the broadcasting allocation can be used to purchase airtime; production costs can come from the general election expenses budget. The Electoral Commission determines how much broadcasting funding each party gets, set out by part 6 of the [[Broadcasting Act 1989]]. The allocation is based a number of factors including the number of seats in the current Parliament, results of the previous general election and any by-elections since, and support in opinion polls.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2020/2020-broadcasting-allocation-decision-released/|title=2020 Broadcasting Allocation Decision Released|website=Elections.nz|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]|date=29 May 2020|access-date=9 September 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806213409/https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2020/2020-broadcasting-allocation-decision-released/|url-status=live}}</ref>

A joint statement was released on 9 June 2020 by the [[Social Credit Party (New Zealand)|Social Credit Party]], [[Māori Party]], [[New Conservative Party (New Zealand)|New Conservative Party]], [[New Zealand Outdoors Party]], and [[Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party]] in which they condemn the broadcasting allocations and call for reform.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2006/S00083/publicly-funded-broadcasting-allocation-condemned.htm |title=Publicly Funded Broadcasting Allocation Condemned |date=9 June 2020 |website=Scoop.co.nz |access-date=9 June 2020 |archive-date=9 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609054819/https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2006/S00083/publicly-funded-broadcasting-allocation-condemned.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

An initial broadcasting statement was released from the Electoral Commission on 29 May 2020, including parties that have not yet registered but intend to.<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 Broadcasting Allocation Decision Released |url=https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2020/2020-broadcasting-allocation-decision-released/ |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] |access-date=26 July 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806213409/https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2020/2020-broadcasting-allocation-decision-released/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The broadcasting allocation was revised on 11 September 2020, redistributing funds from parties that failed to register in time for the election.<ref>{{cite web|title=2020 Variation to Broadcasting Allocation Decision Released {{!}} Elections|url=https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2020/2020-variation-to-broadcasting-allocation-decision-released/|access-date=15 September 2020|website=elections.nz|language=en-NZ}}</ref> For comparison, the cost of a 30-second slot on [[TVNZ]] in October 2020 ranged from $250 in overnight slots up to $22,000 for slots during the ''[[1 News|1 News at 6pm]]'' bulletin.<ref>{{cite web|date=1 September 2020|title=Ratecard for TVNZ 1 and TVNZ 2 – 30/08/2020 – 30/01/2021|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/content/dam/images/tvnz-sales/Ratecard/Planit%20010920%20TVNZ%201%20%26%20TVNZ%202.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913063413/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/content/dam/images/tvnz-sales/Ratecard/Planit%20010920%20TVNZ%201%20%26%20TVNZ%202.pdf|archive-date=13 September 2020|access-date=13 September 2020|website=TVNZ Sales}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=10 June 2020|title=Advertising terms and conditions|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/content/dam/images/tvnz-sales/resources/TVNZ%20Advertising%20Terms%20And%20Conditions%20July%202020.pdf|access-date=13 September 2020|website=TVNZ|archive-date=7 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207005215/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/content/dam/images/tvnz-sales/resources/TVNZ%20Advertising%20Terms%20And%20Conditions%20July%202020.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan=2 style="width:150px"| Party !! Broadcasting<br />allocation ([[NZD]])
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}} || style="text-align:right;"| $1,335,255
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand Labour Party}} || style="text-align:right;"| $1,249,111
|-
|{{party name with color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}} || style="text-align:right;"| $323,046
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand First}} || style="text-align:right;"| $323,046
|-
|{{party name with color|ACT New Zealand}} || style="text-align:right;"| $150,755
|-
|{{party name with color|Māori Party}} || style="text-align:right;"| $150,755
|-
|{{party name with color|The Opportunities Party}} || style="text-align:right;"| $150,755
|-
|{{party name with color|Advance New Zealand}} || style="text-align:right;"| $64,609
|-
|{{party name with color|Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party}} || style="text-align:right;"| $64,609
|-
|{{party name with color|New Conservative Party (New Zealand)}} || style="text-align:right;"| $64,609
|-
|{{party name with color|ONE Party}} || style="text-align:right;" | $53,840
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand Outdoors Party}} || style="text-align:right;"| $53,840
|-
|{{party name with color|Social Credit Party (New Zealand)}} || style="text-align:right;" | $53,840
|-
|{{party name with color|Sustainable New Zealand Party}} || style="text-align:right;" | $53,840
|-
|{{party name with color|Vision NZ}} || style="text-align:right;" | $53,840
|-
|}

Third-party promoters, such as trade unions and [[Advocacy group|lobby groups]], can campaign during the regulated period. The maximum expense limit for the election is $338,000 for those promoters registered with the Electoral Commission, and $13,600 for unregistered promoters.<ref name="regulated period" /> {{As of|2020|September|29}}, the following third-party promoters were registered for the general election (i.e. excluding those solely registered for one or both of the referendums).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Register of promoters for the 2020 General Election and Referendums {{!}} Elections|url=https://www.elections.nz/guidance-and-rules/for-third-party-promoters/register-of-promoters-for-the-2020-general-election-and-referendums/|access-date=2 September 2020|website=www.elections.nz|archive-date=25 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625031509/https://www.elections.nz/guidance-and-rules/for-third-party-promoters/register-of-promoters-for-the-2020-general-election-and-referendums/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* ActionStation
* Brook Valley Community Group
* Cannabis Answers
* [[New Zealand Council of Trade Unions]]
* Council of Licensed Firearms Owners
* [[New Zealand Educational Institute]]
* Every Kiwi Vote Counts
* [[Family First New Zealand]]
* [[First Union New Zealand|First Union]]
* [[Forest and Bird]]
* [[Hobson's Pledge]]
* JustSpeak
* [[Post Primary Teachers' Association]]
* [[New Zealand Public Service Association]]
* [[Right to Life New Zealand]]
* [[SAFE (New Zealand organisation)|SAFE]]
* [[New Zealand Taxpayers' Union]]
* [[Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association]]
* [[Voice for Life]]
{{div col end}}

=== Party campaigns ===

After the announcement of 19 September as election date, parties started their campaigns.<ref name="NZH campaigning">{{cite news |last1=Trevett |first1=Claire |title=The 2020 election campaign: Labour and National's strategies |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12304906 |access-date=2 February 2020 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]  |date=1 February 2020 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201200534/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12304906 |archive-date=1 February 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Party campaigns throughout 2020 were heavily impacted by COVID-19, with parties unable to host events during [[New Zealand coronavirus alert levels|alert levels]] 3 and 4.

==== National ====
The National Party initially chose [[Paula Bennett]] as its [[campaign manager]]. (All previous elections since [[2005 New Zealand general election|2005]] had seen National with [[Steven Joyce]] as campaign manager.<ref name="NZH campaigning" />) On 2 February 2020, Simon Bridges announced that National would not want to form a coalition with New Zealand First after the election should NZ First become [[kingmaker]] once again. Bridges stated: "I can't trust New Zealand First", adding that "A vote for NZ First is a vote for Labour and the Greens".<ref name="Newsroom-no kingmaker">{{cite news |last1= Hickey |first1= Bernard |title= Bridges creates stark choice by ruling out Peters |url= https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2020/02/02/1015713/bridges-creates-stark-choice-by-ruling-out-peters |access-date= 2 February 2020 |work= Newsroom |date= 2 February 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200202062128/https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2020/02/02/1015713/bridges-creates-stark-choice-by-ruling-out-peters |archive-date= 2 February 2020 |url-status= live }}</ref> Bridges said that he would, however, be open to working with ACT.<ref>{{cite news |last1= Trevett |first1= Claire |title= National leader Simon Bridges rules out post-election deal with New Zealand First |url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12305301 |access-date= 2 February 2020 |work= [[The New Zealand Herald]] |date= 2 February 2020 |language= en-NZ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200202071620/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12305301 |archive-date= 2 February 2020 |url-status= live }}</ref> NZ First leader Winston Peters criticised Bridges' decision, saying that "narrowing your options can be the worst strategic move you will ever make".<ref name="Newsroom-no kingmaker" />

Owing to the four-week [[lockdown]] in New Zealand from 23 March during [[COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand|the COVID-19 pandemic]], National temporarily suspended their campaign on the same day.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120494499/coronavirus-national-party-leader-simon-bridges-suspends-campaign-calls-for-alert-level-4|title= Coronavirus: National Party leader Simon Bridges suspends campaign, reacts to going to level 4|first= Ellen|last= O'Dwyer|work= Stuff.co.nz|date= 23 March 2020|access-date= 23 March 2020|archive-date= 23 March 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200323052344/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120494499/coronavirus-national-party-leader-simon-bridges-suspends-campaign-calls-for-alert-level-4|url-status= live}}</ref>

On 22 May 2020, following low poll results for National in the week prior, a [[May 2020 New Zealand National Party leadership election|National parliamentary caucus meeting]] replaced Simon Bridges and Paula Bennett with Todd Muller and Nikki Kaye as leader and deputy leader respectively. In his first speech as leader, Muller expressed his openness to working with Winston Peters and New Zealand First after the election.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/05/election-2020-todd-muller-won-t-rule-out-working-with-winston-peters.html|title= Election 2020: Todd Muller won't rule out working with Winston Peters|first= Mark|last= Quinlivan|work= Stuff.co.nz|date= 22 May 2020|access-date= 22 May 2020|archive-date= 31 May 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200531124252/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/05/election-2020-todd-muller-won-t-rule-out-working-with-winston-peters.html|url-status= live}}</ref> In conjunction with a reshuffle of caucus responsibilities on 25 May, Muller announced that the party had replaced Bennett as campaign manager with [[Gerry Brownlee]].<ref>{{cite news |last1= Moir |first1= Jo |title= National leader Todd Muller reshuffles caucus: Adams rises, Tolley falls in new lineup |url= https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/417462/national-leader-todd-muller-reshuffles-caucus-adams-rises-tolley-falls-in-new-lineup |access-date= 25 May 2020 |agency= RNZ |archive-date= 25 May 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200525051921/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/417462/national-leader-todd-muller-reshuffles-caucus-adams-rises-tolley-falls-in-new-lineup |url-status= live }}</ref> On 14 July 2020 Muller himself resigned as National Party leader, citing mental health issues.<ref>{{cite news |title= Live updates: Todd Muller resigns as National Party leader |url= https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/todd-muller-resigns-as-national-party-leader.html |access-date= 14 July 2020 |first1= Jamie |last1= Ensor |first2= Zane |last2= Small |first3= Scott |last3= Palmer |work= Newshub |date= 14 July 2020 |archive-date= 13 July 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200713203148/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/todd-muller-resigns-as-national-party-leader.html |url-status= live }}</ref> An emergency party caucus meeting replaced him later that night with Collins, with Gerry Brownlee becoming the new deputy leader.<ref name="Collins">{{cite news|author=Sadler, Rachel|date=14 July 2020|title=Judith Collins announced as new National Party leader|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/judith-collins-announced-as-new-national-party-leader-source.html|access-date=14 July 2020|work=Newshub|archive-date=15 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715021821/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/judith-collins-announced-as-new-national-party-leader-source.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

After new cases of community transmission in Auckland were reported on 11 August, with the alert level being raised to level 3 in Auckland and level 2 elsewhere, National halted their campaigning for the duration of the lockdown.<ref name="August campaign suspension">{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300079899/coronavirus-growing-calls-to-delay-dissolution-of-parliament-and-possibly-the-election|title=Coronavirus: Growing calls to delay dissolution of Parliament, and possibly the election|first1=Thomas|last1=Coughlan|first2=Thomas|last2=Manch|work=Stuff|date=12 August 2020|access-date=12 August 2020|quote=Labour, National, the Greens, NZ First have all suspended campaigning for the time being. ACT has cancelled its events for the next three days.|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113231009/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300079899/coronavirus-parliament-dissolution-delayed-but-election-still-set-for-september-19|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 17 July, National announced they would spend $31&nbsp;billion on transport projects over the coming decade and would abolish the Auckland regional fuel tax.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122153158/national-announces-biggest-infrastructure-package-in-history|title=National announces 'biggest infrastructure package' in history|first=Brittany|last=Keogh|work=Stuff|date=17 July 2020|access-date=29 September 2020|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007113905/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122153158/national-announces-biggest-infrastructure-package-in-history|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 11 September, National announced that they would allow [[electric vehicle]]s in bus lanes, make one third of the Government's light vehicle fleet electric by 2023, and aim to have 80,000 electric vehicles in use by 2023 (four times more than there currently were).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300104885/national-wants-electric-cars-in-bus-lanes-as-part-of-push-to-electrify-fleets|title=National wants electric cars in bus lanes as part of push to electrify fleets|first=Thomas|last=Coughlan|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|date=11 September 2020|access-date=11 September 2020|archive-date=11 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911154932/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300104885/national-wants-electric-cars-in-bus-lanes-as-part-of-push-to-electrify-fleets|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 15 September, they announced a $30&nbsp;million policy to improve children's dental care.<ref>{{cite news|title=National announces $30m childhood dental services policy|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/426084/national-announces-30m-childhood-dental-services-policy|work=Radio NZ|date=15 September 2020|access-date=29 September 2020|archive-date=25 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925071422/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/426084/national-announces-30m-childhood-dental-services-policy|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 29 September, National announced they would double funding for the [[Serious Fraud Office (New Zealand)|Serious Fraud Office]] to $25&nbsp;million annually and rename it to the Serious Fraud and Anti-corruption Agency.<ref>{{cite news|title=National would rename Serious Fraud Office, double funding|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/427150/national-would-rename-serious-fraud-office-double-funding|work=Radio NZ|date=29 September 2020|access-date=29 September 2020|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001015122/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/427150/national-would-rename-serious-fraud-office-double-funding|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Labour ====

[[Megan Woods]] was chosen as campaign manager.<ref name="NZH campaigning" /> On 29 January 2020, Ardern announced the [[New Zealand Upgrade Programme]], a [[NZ$]]12&nbsp;billion infrastructure improvement package.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Coughlan |first1=Thomas |title=Government announces billions of infrastructure spending, with roads the big winner |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/119105125/government-announces-billions-of-spending-with-roads-the-big-winner |access-date=2 February 2020 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=29 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201204225/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/119105125/government-announces-billions-of-spending-with-roads-the-big-winner |archive-date=1 February 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> After new cases of community transmission in Auckland were reported on 11 August, with the alert level being raised to level 3 in Auckland and level 2 elsewhere, Labour halted their campaigning for the duration of the lockdown.<ref name="August campaign suspension" />

On 7 September, Ardern committed to making [[Matariki]] a [[Public holidays in New Zealand|public holiday]] from 2022 if Labour was re-elected.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/425437/labour-promises-to-make-matariki-a-public-holiday-from-2022|title=Labour promises to make Matariki a public holiday from 2022|work=Radio NZ|date=7 September 2020|access-date=9 September 2020|archive-date=7 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907143201/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/425437/labour-promises-to-make-matariki-a-public-holiday-from-2022|url-status=live}}</ref> On 9 September, Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson announced that Labour would reintroduce the top 39% [[tax bracket]] for income above $180,000, applying to 2% of people. He said the new rate would generate around $550&nbsp;million a year in revenue, needed to pay off the debt incurred by the COVID-19 response plan.<ref>{{cite news|title=Election 2020: Labour to bring back top 39 per cent income tax rate.|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300102796/election-2020-labour-to-bring-back-top-39-per-cent-income-tax-rate|first=Thomas|last=Coughlan|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|date=9 September 2020|access-date=9 September 2020|archive-date=11 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911190639/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300102796/election-2020-labour-to-bring-back-top-39-per-cent-income-tax-rate|url-status=live}}</ref> On 10 September, Ardern announced Labour would aim to make [[electricity in New Zealand]] 100% renewable by 2030, five years before the previous target of 2035. This would be done by banning the building of new coal or gas power plants, boosting [[Solar power in New Zealand|the solar sector]], and speeding up the consent process for renewable energy projects.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cooke |first1=Henry |title=Election 2020: Labour pledges 100 per cent renewable power by 2030 |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300103969/election-2020-labour-pledges-100-per-cent-renewable-power-by-2030 |access-date=10 September 2020 |work=Stuff |date=10 September 2020 |archive-date=10 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910051659/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300103969/election-2020-labour-pledges-100-per-cent-renewable-power-by-2030 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== NZ First ====
New Zealand First leader [[Winston Peters]] named the provincial growth fund in its current form as his first bottom line for any post-election coalition talks. Peters also outlined the party's immigration policy ahead of the election, saying: "The current immigration track must stop and only New Zealand First, with a stronger hand in 2020, can make this happen", and "a vote for New Zealand First will see the permanent residency qualification raised from two to five years". Peters also said the party wanted to lead a public discussion with voters about a "population policy", including defining acceptable population growth and the time for a migrant to obtain permanent residency.<ref>{{cite web|title=NZ First election policy: Winston Peters highlights immigration, provincial growth fund, tax|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/411107/nz-first-election-policy-winston-peters-highlights-immigration-provincial-growth-fund-tax|date=6 March 2020|website=RNZ|language=en-nz|access-date=19 May 2020|archive-date=8 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608060030/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/411107/nz-first-election-policy-winston-peters-highlights-immigration-provincial-growth-fund-tax|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Winston Peters' speech to the regions on immigration, Rogernomics, and Russia|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/120086217/winston-peters-speech-to-the-regions-on-immigration-rogernomics-and-russia|website=Stuff|date=6 March 2020|access-date=19 May 2020|archive-date=13 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513055340/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/120086217/winston-peters-speech-to-the-regions-on-immigration-rogernomics-and-russia|url-status=live}}</ref> At the campaign launch on 19 July 2020, Peters promised a cap of 15,000  highly skilled immigrants and recruiting 1,000 new police officers.<ref>{{cite news |last=Moir |first=Jo |title=NZ First leader Winston Peters highlights police, immigration in campaign launch |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/421536/nz-first-leader-winston-peters-highlights-police-immigration-in-campaign-launch |access-date=27 July 2020 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=19 July 2020 |archive-date=24 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724220405/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/421536/nz-first-leader-winston-peters-highlights-police-immigration-in-campaign-launch |url-status=live}}</ref> After new cases of community transmission in Auckland were reported on 11 August, with the alert level being raised to level 3 in Auckland and level 2 elsewhere, New Zealand First halted their campaigning.<ref name="August campaign suspension" />

==== Green ====
On 28 June 2020, the Green Party released a Poverty Action Plan, which included a [[guaranteed minimum income]] of $325 a week. Green co-leader [[Marama Davidson]] stated that "Our Guaranteed Minimum Income is about fairness. It's about ensuring those who have done well under our current system pay it forward and share that success with people who are struggling."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Davidson |first1=Marama |title=Green Party proposes transformational Poverty Action Plan |url=https://www.greens.org.nz/green_party_proposes_transformational_poverty_action_plan |publisher=[[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand]] |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=17 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717125947/https://www.greens.org.nz/green_party_proposes_transformational_poverty_action_plan |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Triponel |first1=Te Rina |title=Poverty action plan tops Green Party policies for election |url=https://www.teaomaori.news/poverty-action-plan-tops-green-party-policies-election |access-date=27 July 2020 |work=Te Ao Māori News |date=6 July 2020 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727040628/https://www.teaomaori.news/poverty-action-plan-tops-green-party-policies-election |url-status=live }}</ref> This was followed up by the launch of a Clean Energy Plan, to ensure a "[[just transition]] away from fossil fuels". The plan included a pledge to establish a Clean Energy Industry Training Plan and to end coal use in New Zealand by 2030.<ref>{{cite news |title=Green Party proposes clean energy plan, focusing on 'fossil fuel free Aotearoa' |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/green-party-proposes-clean-energy-plan-focusing-fossil-fuel-free-aotearoa |access-date=27 July 2020 |work=1 News |date=12 July 2020 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727004649/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/green-party-proposes-clean-energy-plan-focusing-fossil-fuel-free-aotearoa |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Shaw |first1=James |title=Green Party unveils Clean Energy Plan |url=https://www.greens.org.nz/green_party_unveils_clean_energy_plan |publisher=[[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand]] |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=18 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718180421/https://www.greens.org.nz/green_party_unveils_clean_energy_plan |url-status=live }}</ref> The Green Party launched a 52-page "Think Ahead, Act Now" election platform on 25 July 2020. Green co-leader [[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|James Shaw]] described it as "a reference document that will guide our caucus and our ministers as we navigate the everyday choices that our Government will have to make."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wade |first1=Amelia |title=Election 2020: Greens launch campaign, urge Kiwis to 'think ahead, act now' |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12350921 |access-date=27 July 2020 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]  |date=25 July 2020 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727004803/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12350921 |url-status=live }}</ref> After new cases of community transmission in Auckland were reported on 11 August, with the alert level being raised to level 3 in Auckland and level 2 elsewhere, the Green Party halted their campaigning for the duration of the lockdown.<ref name="August campaign suspension" /> On 15 September, Shaw announced that the Green Party would propose a bill that makes it mandatory for large companies to make annual disclosures about the [[effects of climate change|impact of climate change]] on their businesses and declare strategies for mitigating these impacts.<ref>{{cite news |last=Graham-McLay |first=Charlotte |title=New Zealand minister calls for finance sector to disclose climate crisis risks in world first |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/15/new-zealand-minister-calls-for-finance-sector-to-disclose-climate-crisis-risks-in-world-first |access-date=15 September 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=15 September 2020 |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915034323/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/15/new-zealand-minister-calls-for-finance-sector-to-disclose-climate-crisis-risks-in-world-first |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Green Party campaigned for the electorate vote in the electorates of [[Auckland Central (New Zealand electorate)|Auckland Central]] and [[Tāmaki Makaurau]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/05/marama-davidon-s-journey-from-activist-to-politician.html |title=Marama Davidson's journey from activist to politician |date=3 May 2020 |first=Ruwani |last=Perera |work=Newshub |access-date=28 August 2020 |archive-date=13 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913075929/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/05/marama-davidon-s-journey-from-activist-to-politician.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/423134/auckand-central-labour-making-no-deal-with-the-greens |title=Auckland Central: Labour making no deal with the Greens |date=10 August 2020 |first=Sarah |last=Robson |website=[[Radio New Zealand]] |access-date=28 August 2020 |archive-date=8 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908042722/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/423134/auckand-central-labour-making-no-deal-with-the-greens |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== ACT ====
ACT launched their party campaign on 12 July 2020. ACT party leader [[David Seymour (New Zealand politician)|David Seymour]] criticised the government's COVID-19 response as "clearly, demonstrably unsustainable", and called for the open pursuing of "having the world's smartest border, not as a rhetorical device, but a practical reality." The party also unveiled a new employment insurance scheme, with 0.55% of income tax being paid to a ring-fenced insurance fund. If someone became unemployed, they would be able to claim 55% of their average weekly earnings over the year up to $60,000.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Robson |first1=Sarah |title=ACT leader uses campaign launch to slate government's Covid-19 response |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/421055/act-leader-uses-campaign-launch-to-slate-government-s-covid-19-response |access-date=27 July 2020 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=12 July 2020 |archive-date=12 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712221737/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/421055/act-leader-uses-campaign-launch-to-slate-government-s-covid-19-response |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Speech: ACT Leader's Address to Election Campaign Launch |url=https://www.act.org.nz/speech_act_leader_s_address_to_election_campaign_launch |publisher=ACT New Zealand |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727005727/https://www.act.org.nz/speech_act_leader_s_address_to_election_campaign_launch |url-status=live }}</ref> After new cases of community transmission in Auckland were reported on 11 August, with the alert level being raised to level 3 in Auckland and level 2 elsewhere, ACT cancelled its upcoming campaign events.<ref name="August campaign suspension" />

==== Māori ====

The [[Māori Party]] launched their campaign on 20 June 2020 at the [[Hoani Waititi Marae]], with a flagship "Whānau First" policy, ensuring that a quarter of government spending over the next two years is spent on projects led by Māori and involving Māori-led businesses. Māori Party co-leader [[Debbie Ngarewa-Packer]] was quoted as saying that "Māori must be guaranteed resources for Māori recovery, we cannot go backwards to how we were living pre-COVID – that is not an option for our whānau, too many of whom are struggling just to survive".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Neilson |first1=Michael |title=Election 2020: Māori Party launch election campaign targeting 'racism and inequity' |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12341511 |access-date=27 July 2020 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=20 June 2020 |archive-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730120221/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12341511 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Māori Party Announce Whānau First Policy On COVID-19 Economic Recovery |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2006/S00219/maori-party-announce-whanau-first-policy-on-covid-19-economic-recovery.htm |website=Scoop |publisher=[[Māori Party]] |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711091753/https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2006/S00219/maori-party-announce-whanau-first-policy-on-covid-19-economic-recovery.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> Crushed in the last election due to voters in [[Māori electorates|Māori electorate]]s greatly choosing Labour over the [[Māori Party]], co-leader [[John Tamihere]] made it clear they would not re-enter a coalition government with National like they did in previous terms of Parliament.<ref>{{cite web|date=15 October 2020|title='Maybe if we had another week I'd be emphatically positive and confident' – Māori Party co-leader John Tamihere|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/428390/maybe-if-we-had-another-week-i-d-be-emphatically-positive-and-confident-maori-party-co-leader-john-tamihere|access-date=17 October 2020|website=RNZ|language=en-nz|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017103205/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/428390/maybe-if-we-had-another-week-i-d-be-emphatically-positive-and-confident-maori-party-co-leader-john-tamihere|url-status=live}}</ref> On 19 July 2020, the party released a climate change policy, involving an end to new offshore oil and gas permits, as well as withdrawing existing onshore and offshore permits with the goal of ending the oil and gas industry by 2030. The party would also ban new [[deep sea mining|seabed mining]] permits and withdraw existing permits, as well as establish a $1&nbsp;billion Pūngao Auaha for "Māori-owned community energy projects and solar panel and insulation instillations".<ref>{{cite news |title=Māori Party unveils climate change plan |url=https://www.teaomaori.news/maori-party-unveils-climate-change-plan |access-date=27 July 2020 |work=Te Ao Māori News |date=19 July 2020 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727041235/https://www.teaomaori.news/maori-party-unveils-climate-change-plan |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Māori Party Co-leader Announces Policy Plan For Bold Action On Climate Change |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2007/S00241/maori-party-co-leader-announces-policy-plan-for-bold-action-on-climate-change.htm |website=Scoop |publisher=Māori Party |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728083819/https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2007/S00241/maori-party-co-leader-announces-policy-plan-for-bold-action-on-climate-change.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> On 14 September, the party announced their major policies, including changing the official name of the country to [[Aotearoa]] by 2026, restoring the original Māori names of all towns and cities, requiring primary schools to incorporate Māori language into 25% and later 50% of the curriculum, and requiring all state-funded broadcasters to have a basic fluency level of Māori.<ref>{{cite news |title=Māori Party pledges to change New Zealand's name to Aotearoa, Greens, Labour spell out te reo Māori policy |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/426012/maori-party-pledges-to-change-new-zealand-s-name-to-aotearoa-greens-labour-spell-out-te-reo-maori-policy |access-date=15 September 2020 |work=Radio NZ |date=14 September 2020 |language=en-nz |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915032855/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/426012/maori-party-pledges-to-change-new-zealand-s-name-to-aotearoa-greens-labour-spell-out-te-reo-maori-policy |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== New Conservative ====
The New Conservatives ruled out an alliance with both the [[Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand|Labour-led coalition]] and Billy Te Kahika Jr's [[New Zealand Public Party]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=New Conservative Party |title=New Conservative Will Not Work With The Coalition |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2005/S00119/new-conservative-will-not-work-with-the-coalition.htm |publisher=[[Scoop (website)|Scoop]] |access-date=18 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624011016/https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2005/S00119/new-conservative-will-not-work-with-the-coalition.htm |archive-date=24 June 2020 |date=11 May 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Braae |first1=Alex |title=Jami-Lee Ross, Billy Te Kahika and the rebel alliance of Election 2020 |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/26-07-2020/jami-lee-ross-billy-te-kahika-and-the-rebel-alliance-of-election-2020/ |access-date=18 August 2020 |work=[[The Spinoff]] |date=26 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806034620/https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/26-07-2020/jami-lee-ross-billy-te-kahika-and-the-rebel-alliance-of-election-2020/ |archive-date=6 August 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The party received a broadcasting allocation of $62,186 for the 2020 election.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2020/2020-broadcasting-allocation-decision-released/ |title=2020 Broadcasting Allocation Decision Released |publisher=Electoral Commission |date=29 May 2020 |access-date=29 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806213409/https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2020/2020-broadcasting-allocation-decision-released/|archive-date=6 August 2020}}</ref> The party made headlines during the campaign following repeated vandalism of their advertising in multiple cities,<ref>{{cite web|last=Tokalau|first=Torika|date=13 July 2020|title=Swastikas painted on New Conservative political campaign signs in West Auckland|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122112819/swastikas-painted-on-new-conservative-political-campaign-signs-in-west-auckland|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912203932/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122112819/swastikas-painted-on-new-conservative-political-campaign-signs-in-west-auckland|archive-date=12 September 2020|access-date=11 September 2020|website=Stuff}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Libby|date=3 September 2020|title=Dozens of New Conservative Hamilton hoardings graffitied overnight|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/122655562/dozens-of-new-conservative-hamilton-hoardings-graffitied-overnight|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912203926/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/122655562/dozens-of-new-conservative-hamilton-hoardings-graffitied-overnight|archive-date=12 September 2020|access-date=11 September 2020|website=Stuff}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Keith|first=Leighton|date=8 September 2020|title=Controversial political candidate claims vandalism has got personal|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/122697199/controversial-political-candidate-claims-vandalism-has-got-personal|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019075758/https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/122697199/controversial-political-candidate-claims-vandalism-has-got-personal|archive-date=19 October 2020|access-date=11 September 2020|website=Stuff}}</ref> for posting a meme comparing a New Conservative candidate to [[Nelson Mandela]] and [[Abraham Lincoln]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Persico|first=Christina|date=28 July 2020|title=New Conservative candidate labelled 'delusional' over meme's comparison between him and civil rights leaders|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300067574/new-conservative-candidate-labelled-delusional-over-memes-comparison-between-him-and-civil-rights-leaders|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928040624/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300067574/new-conservative-candidate-labelled-delusional-over-memes-comparison-between-him-and-civil-rights-leaders|archive-date=28 September 2020|access-date=11 September 2020|website=Stuff}}</ref> and when a candidate repeatedly and falsely claimed to be an ambassador for the [[Cancer Society (New Zealand)|Cancer Society]] charity.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sharpe|first=Marty|date=11 September 2020|title=Candidate told by Cancer Society to stop claiming she is a 'Cancer Ambassador'|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122735257/candidate-told-by-cancer-society-to-stop-claiming-she-is-a-cancer-ambassador|access-date=11 September 2020|website=Stuff}}{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

On 6 October 2020, party leader Leighton Baker mounted a legal challenge at the [[Auckland High Court]] to protest the party's exclusion from public broadcaster [[TVNZ]]'s Minor Party debate scheduled for 8 October. To qualify for inclusion in the debate, parties not represented in Parliament must score at least 3 percent in the [[1 News]] Colmar-Brunton Poll held during the last six months. The hearing was held on 7 October.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Conservative Party to appear in court over exclusion from multi-party debate |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/427717/new-conservative-party-to-appear-in-court-over-exclusion-from-multi-party-debate |access-date=7 October 2020 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=6 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007024714/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/427717/new-conservative-party-to-appear-in-court-over-exclusion-from-multi-party-debate |archive-date=7 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wade |first1=Amelia |title=Election 2020: New Conservatives take TVNZ to High Court over debate snub |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12370932 |access-date=7 October 2020 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=6 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007025040/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12370932 |archive-date=7 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The High Court dismissed the New Conservatives' bid, ruling in favor of TVNZ.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Anneke |title=New Conservatives fail in bid to feature in TVNZ debate |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/427794/new-conservatives-fail-in-bid-to-feature-in-tvnz-debate |access-date=7 October 2020 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=7 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007232542/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/427794/new-conservatives-fail-in-bid-to-feature-in-tvnz-debate |archive-date=7 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Hurley|first=Sam|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12371091 |title=Election 2020: New Conservative fails in High Court to argue for TVNZ debate inclusion |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=7 October 2020 |access-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007232806/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12371091|archive-date=7 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 10 October 2020, it was reported that the New Conservatives' [[Instagram]] page had been hacked the previous day with pro-[[LGBT]] messages posted on their message feed. In addition, screenshots of the party's logo were shown in rainbow colours. The hack was condemned by party leader Baker and deputy party leader Ikilei, who accused their opponents of intolerance.<ref name="Newshub 10 Oct 2020">{{cite news |last1=Satherley |first1=Dan |last2=Kronast |first2=Hannah |title=New Conservatives' Instagram page hacked, posts in support of rainbow community |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/10/new-conservatives-instagram-page-hacked-posts-in-support-of-rainbow-community.html |access-date=10 October 2020 |work=[[Newshub]] |date=10 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010073832/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/10/new-conservatives-instagram-page-hacked-posts-in-support-of-rainbow-community.html |archive-date=10 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New Conservatives' Social media page posts message of support for Rainbow community after being hacked |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-conservatives-social-media-page-posts-message-of-support-for-rainbow-community-after-being-hacked/HHGTIAURJHMLS5LLP4VNFGIQ2I/ |access-date=10 October 2020 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=9 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009091329/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-conservatives-social-media-page-posts-message-of-support-for-rainbow-community-after-being-hacked/HHGTIAURJHMLS5LLP4VNFGIQ2I/ |archive-date=9 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> According to [[New Zealand Media and Entertainment|NZME]] journalist Ethan Griffiths, the hacker had temporarily gained access to the New Conservative Instagram account by posing as Deputy Leader Ikilei on Instagram.<ref name="Newshub 10 Oct 2020" />

==== Advance NZ ====

Advance NZ launched their campaign on 26 July 2020, merging with the [[New Zealand Public Party]], a party described as "conspiracy theory-driven".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Daalder |first1=Marc |title=Jami-Lee Ross hitches wagon to conspiracy theorists |url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/jami-lee-ross-hitches-wagon-to-conspiracy-theorists |website=Newsroom |access-date=29 July 2020 |date=26 July 2020 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727201455/https://www.newsroom.co.nz/jami-lee-ross-hitches-wagon-to-conspiracy-theorists |url-status=live }}</ref> The Public Party is to keep their identity and structure, but with the exception of [[Billy Te Kahika]] in {{NZ electorate link|Te Tai Tokerau}}, who is running on the Public Party name, all candidates will run as Advance NZ candidates. [[Jami-Lee Ross]], MP for {{NZ electorate link|Botany}} and Te Kahika are to become co-leaders of Advance NZ. Ross stated in regards to the merger that "By forming an alliance of parties, together with other small parties that believe in greater freedom and democracy, we stand a stronger chance of uniting together and crossing the 5 percent threshold in to Parliament," and branded Advance NZ "the new [[Alliance (New Zealand political party)|Alliance Party]] of the 2020s, but a centrist version of that model".<ref>{{cite web |title=Advance NZ Launches Alliance Of Parties For Election 2020 With New Zealand Public Party |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2007/S00255/advance-nz-launches-alliance-of-parties-for-election-2020-with-new-zealand-public-party.htm |website=Scoop |publisher=[[Advance New Zealand]] |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727001503/https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2007/S00255/advance-nz-launches-alliance-of-parties-for-election-2020-with-new-zealand-public-party.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> At the launch, Te Kahika promised an immediate repeal of the [[COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Jami-Lee Ross' newly formed alliance with NZ Public Party aims to repeal Govt's Covid-19 Response Bill |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/jami-lee-ross-newly-formed-alliance-nz-public-party-aims-repeal-govts-covid-19-response-bill |access-date=27 July 2020 |work=1 News |date=26 July 2020 |archive-date=31 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731111329/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/jami-lee-ross-newly-formed-alliance-nz-public-party-aims-repeal-govts-covid-19-response-bill |url-status=live }}</ref> Ross also reportedly told the NZ Herald that the party was in talks with six smaller parties about joining Advance NZ.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Walls |first1=Jason |title=Election 2020: Advance NZ – Jami-Lee Ross joins forces with controversial NZ Public Party |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12351040 |access-date=27 July 2020 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]  |date=26 July 2020 |archive-date=28 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828052853/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12351040 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 6 August 2020, the party was registered with the Electoral Commission.<ref>{{cite web |title=Registration of three parties and logos |url=https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2020/registration-of-three-parties-and-logos/ |publisher=New Zealand Electoral Commission |access-date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=29 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829053403/https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2020/registration-of-three-parties-and-logos/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Debates ===
Television New Zealand ([[TVNZ]]) hosted three television leaders' debates: two between the National and Labour leaders, and one multi-party debate. The first National–Labour debate was moderated by [[John Campbell (broadcaster)|John Campbell]], with the multi party debate and second National–Labour debate hosted by Jessica Mutch McKay. A young voters debate was hosted by [[Jack Tame]].<ref name="tvnzdebates">{{cite web |title=TVNZ announces its Your Vote 2020 coverage: Debates, polls and election specials |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/tvnz-announces-its-your-vote-2020-coverage-debates-polls-and-election-specials |publisher=1 News |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=4 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804112318/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/tvnz-announces-its-your-vote-2020-coverage-debates-polls-and-election-specials |url-status=live }}</ref> Newshub Nation hosted a "power brokers" debate, which included the Māori Party, with the inclusion threshold being having held a seat in Parliament over the past 2 parliamentary terms.<ref name="spinoffminorpartiestvnz">{{cite news |last1=Braae |first1=Alex |title=Minor parties hit out at exclusion from TVNZ multi-party debate |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/04-08-2020/minor-parties-hit-out-at-exclusion-from-tvnz-multi-party-debate/ |access-date=5 August 2020 |work=The Spinoff |date=4 August 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806144228/https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/04-08-2020/minor-parties-hit-out-at-exclusion-from-tvnz-multi-party-debate/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This was confirmed on 27 August 2020, when Newshub announced a leaders' debate on 30 September between National and Labour, and a "powerbrokers" debate which included the Greens, ACT and the Māori Party.<ref name="Newshub debates">{{cite news |last1=Molyneux |first1=Vita |title=Tova O'Brien, Duncan Garner, Patrick Gower, to host Newshub's Decision 2020 live election coverage |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/08/tova-o-brien-duncan-garner-patrick-gower-to-host-newshub-s-decision-2020-live-election-coverage.html |access-date=26 August 2020 |work=Newshub |date=27 August 2020 |archive-date=13 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913063255/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/08/tova-o-brien-duncan-garner-patrick-gower-to-host-newshub-s-decision-2020-live-election-coverage.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== TVNZ qualification criteria ====
The inclusion criteria set by TVNZ for its multi-party debate was either having current representation in Parliament or winning 3% in a poll, which sparked controversy as those criteria excluded minor parties such as the [[Māori Party]], [[The Opportunities Party]] and the [[New Conservative Party (New Zealand)|New Conservative Party]] from the debate. Māori Party co-leader [[John Tamihere]] said TVNZ had a responsibility to "reflect Māori perspectives, as laid out in ministerial direction". Race Relations Commissioner [[Meng Foon]] endorsed the Māori Party position.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Black |first1=Taroi |title=Race Relation Commissioner backs Māori Party over TVNZ exclusion |url=https://www.teaomaori.news/race-relation-commissioner-backs-maori-party-over-tvnz-exclusion |access-date=5 August 2020 |work=Māori Television |date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=13 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913063004/https://www.teaomaori.news/race-relation-commissioner-backs-maori-party-over-tvnz-exclusion |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="spinoffminorpartiestvnz" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Braae |first1=Alex |title=Minor parties hit out at exclusion from TVNZ multi-party debate |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/04-08-2020/minor-parties-hit-out-at-exclusion-from-tvnz-multi-party-debate/ |access-date=6 August 2020 |work=The Spinoff |date=4 August 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806144228/https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/04-08-2020/minor-parties-hit-out-at-exclusion-from-tvnz-multi-party-debate/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The requirements were modified on 8 September 2020, when TVNZ broadened their criteria to use previous parliamentary representation as a marker, including the Māori Party.<ref>{{cite web |title=Māori Party to be included in TVNZ's multi-party election debate |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/m-ori-party-included-in-tvnzs-multi-election-debate |publisher=TVNZ |access-date=7 September 2020 |archive-date=7 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907225755/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/m-ori-party-included-in-tvnzs-multi-election-debate |url-status=live }}</ref> The parliamentary criterion was expanded to include "leaders of registered parties where the leader has been an MP, or party has been represented, in either/both of the past two parliaments."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Braae |first1=Alex |title=Election Live, September 8: TVNZ's minor party debate widens field |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/08-09-2020/election-live-september-8-labour-takes-aim-at-paywave-costs-in-new-policy/ |access-date=7 September 2020 |work=The Spinoff |date=8 September 2020 |archive-date=7 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907203126/https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/08-09-2020/election-live-september-8-labour-takes-aim-at-paywave-costs-in-new-policy/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center;font-size:95%;line-height:16px;"
| colspan="5" style="color:black; vertical-align:top; text-align:center; background-color:#dbf2ff;" class="table-no"| '''Qualifying parties for the TVNZ multi-party debate'''
|-
! colspan=2 | Party
! Met polling criterion<br /><small>(≥3% in any Colmar Brunton poll)</small>
! Met parliamentary criterion<br /><small>(Having seats in either of<br />the last two Parliaments)</small>
! Attending<br />debate
|-
| {{Party name with colour|New Zealand Labour Party}}
| {{yes}}<br />{{small|(48% in September 2020 poll)}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| {{Party name with colour|New Zealand National Party}}
| {{yes}}<br />{{small|(35% in September 2020 poll)}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| {{Party name with colour|ACT New Zealand}}
| {{yes}}<br />{{small|(8% in September 2020 poll)}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}
| {{yes}}<br />{{small|(6% in September 2020 poll)}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| {{Party name with colour|New Zealand First}}
| {{yes}}<br />{{small|(3.3% in February 2020 poll)}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Māori Party}}
| {{no}}<br />{{small|(0.9% in September 2020 poll)}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Advance New Zealand}}
| {{no}}<br />{{small|(0.8% in September 2020 poll)}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|New Conservative Party (New Zealand)}}
| {{no}}<br />{{small|(1.6% in September 2020 poll)}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| {{Party name with colour|The Opportunities Party}}
| {{no}}<br />{{small|(1.1% in September 2020 poll)}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party}}
| {{no}}<br />{{small|(0.2% in September 2020 poll)}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| {{Party name with colour|New Zealand Outdoors Party}}
| {{no}}<br />{{small|(0.2% in September 2020 poll)}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Sustainable New Zealand Party}}
| {{no}}<br />{{small|(0.1% in September 2020 poll)}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| {{Party name with colour|ONE Party}}
| {{no}}<br />{{small|(0.2% in July 2020 poll)}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Social Credit Party (New Zealand)}}
| {{no}}<br />{{small|(0.1% in June 2020 poll)}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Vision NZ}}
| {{no}}<br />{{small|(0.1% in May 2020 poll)}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Heartland New Zealand Party}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Tea Party New Zealand}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
|}

==== Table of major debates ====
{| class="wikitable collapsed"
|-
! rowspan=3| Date
! rowspan=3| Time ([[NZT]])
! rowspan=3| Organiser(s)
! rowspan=3| Subject
! colspan="9" | Participants
|-
! [[New Zealand National Party|National]] !! [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]] !! [[New Zealand First|NZ First]] !! [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green]] !! [[ACT New Zealand|ACT]] !! [[Advance New Zealand|Advance NZ]] !! [[Māori Party|Māori]] !! [[The Opportunities Party|TOP]] !! [[Vision NZ]]
|-
! style="background:{{party color|New Zealand National Party}}"|
! style="background:{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}"|
! style="background:{{party color|New Zealand First}}"|
! style="background:{{party color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}"|
! style="background:{{party color|ACT New Zealand}}"|
! style="background:{{party color|Advance New Zealand}}"|
! style="background:{{party color|Māori Party}}"|
! style="background:{{party color|The Opportunities Party}}"|
! style="background:{{party color|Vision NZ}}"|
|-
<!-- Use debate-cell templates: {{D-P}}, {{D-A}}, {{D-I}}, {{D-N}}, {{D-D}}, {{D-W}}-->

| 6 August
| 17:30–19:30
| [[Council for International Development|CID]]<ref>{{cite web |title=CID/NZIIA Event: Election Debate sponsored by Asia New Zealand Foundation and Pacific Cooperation Foundation |url=https://www.cid.org.nz/events/cidnziia-event-election-debate-sponsored-by-asia-new-zealand-foundation-and-pacific-cooperation-foundation/ |publisher=Council for International Development |access-date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=13 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813203529/https://www.cid.org.nz/events/cidnziia-event-election-debate-sponsored-by-asia-new-zealand-foundation-and-pacific-cooperation-foundation/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Foreign affairs
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Simon Bridges|Bridges]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[David Parker (New Zealand politician)|Parker]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Fletcher Tabuteau|Tabuteau]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|Shaw]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[David Seymour (New Zealand politician)|Seymour]]</small>}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
|-
| 18 September
| 11:45–13:15
| WasteMINZ<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 General Election Debate |url=https://www.wasteminz.org.nz/event/2020-general-election-debate/ |website=WasteMINZ |access-date=24 August 2020 |archive-date=23 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823234513/https://www.wasteminz.org.nz/event/2020-general-election-debate/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Waste and environment
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Scott Simpson (politician)|Simpson]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[David Parker (New Zealand politician)|Parker]]</small>}}
| {{D-A|Absent}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Eugenie Sage|Sage]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Simon Court|Court]]</small>}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-A|Absent}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>Christie</small>}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
|-
| 22 September<ref name="Election calendar">{{cite web |last1=Spinoff |first1=The |title=Election 2020 calendar: all the key dates and debates – updated for October 17 polling day! |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/17-08-2020/election-2020-calendar-all-the-key-dates-and-debates/ |website=The Spinoff |access-date=23 August 2020 |date=17 August 2020 |archive-date=23 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823234910/https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/17-08-2020/election-2020-calendar-all-the-key-dates-and-debates/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 19:00–20:30
| [[TVNZ]]<ref name=tvnzdebates />
| Leaders' debate
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Judith Collins|Collins]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Jacinda Ardern|Ardern]]</small>}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
|-
|22 September
|19:00–20:30
|[[ASB Bank|ASB]]/''[[Newshub]]''<ref>{{cite news|title=NZ Election 2020: ASB Great Debate live updates – Grant Robertson, Paul Goldsmith, David Seymour, James Shaw, Fletcher Tabuteau|work=Newshub|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/09/nz-election-2020-asb-finance-debate-live-updates-grant-robertson-paul-goldsmith-david-seymour-james-shaw-fletcher-tabuteau.html|access-date=22 September 2020|archive-date=22 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922115130/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/09/nz-election-2020-asb-finance-debate-live-updates-grant-robertson-paul-goldsmith-david-seymour-james-shaw-fletcher-tabuteau.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Finance
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Paul Goldsmith (politician)|Goldsmith]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Grant Robertson|Robertson]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Fletcher Tabuteau|Tabuteau]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|Shaw]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[David Seymour (New Zealand politician)|Seymour]]</small>}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
|-
| 24 September<ref name="Arts debate" />
| 18:00–21:00<ref name="Arts debate">{{cite web |title=Shaping the future of the arts, culture and creative sector – an election forum, Hosted online, 24th of September {{!}} Humanitix |url=https://events.humanitix.com/shaping-the-future-of-the-arts-culture-and-creative-sector-an-election-forum |website=events.humanitix.com |access-date=26 August 2020 |archive-date=26 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200826233617/https://events.humanitix.com/shaping-the-future-of-the-arts-culture-and-creative-sector-an-election-forum |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi<ref name="Arts debate" />
| Arts and culture
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Jonathan Young (politician)|Young]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present<br /> <small>[[Carmel Sepuloni|Sepuloni]]</small>}}
| {{D-A|Absent}}
| {{D-P|Present<br /> <small>[[Chlöe Swarbrick|Swarbrick]]</small>}}
| {{D-A|Absent}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
|-
| 28 September<ref name="Election calendar" />
|
| [[TVNZ]]/[[University of Auckland]]<ref name=tvnzdebates />
| Young voters
| {{D-P|Present}} <br /> <small>[[Simeon Brown|Brown]]</small>
| {{D-P|Present}} <br /> <small>[[Kiri Allan|Allan]]</small>
| {{D-P|Present}} <br /> <small>Griffith</small>
| {{D-P|Present}} <br /> <small>[[Chlöe Swarbrick|Swarbrick]]</small>
| {{D-P|Present}} <br /> <small>[[Brooke van Velden|van Velden]]</small>
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
|-
| 30 September
| From 19:30
| ''[[Newshub]]''<ref name="Newshub debates" />
| Leaders' debate
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Judith Collins|Collins]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Jacinda Ardern|Ardern]]</small>}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
|-
| 3 October <br /> (filmed 1 October)
| From 09:30
| ''Newshub'' ''Nation''<ref name="Newshub debates" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Andelane |first1=Lana |title=NZ Election 2020: Advance NZ files urgent interlocutory injunction application against MediaWorks |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/09/nz-election-2020-advance-nz-files-urgent-interlocutory-injunction-application-against-mediaworks.html |access-date=30 September 2020 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930005535/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/09/nz-election-2020-advance-nz-files-urgent-interlocutory-injunction-application-against-mediaworks.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Minor parties
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Winston Peters|Peters]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Marama Davidson|Davidson]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[David Seymour (New Zealand politician)|Seymour]]</small>}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[John Tamihere|Tamihere]]</small>}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
|-
| 6 October
| From 19:00
| [[Māori Television]]<ref>{{cite web|title=NZ's only cross-party debate in te reo Māori|url=https://www.teaomaori.news/nzs-only-cross-party-debate-te-reo-maori|access-date=6 October 2020|website=Māori Television|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008210947/https://www.teaomaori.news/nzs-only-cross-party-debate-te-reo-maori|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Multi-party debate in the [[Māori language]]
| {{D-A|Absent}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Peeni Henare|Henare]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Shane Jones|Jones]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Teanau Tuiono|Tuiono]]</small>}}
| {{D-A|Absent}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Rawiri Waititi|Waititi]]</small>}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>Wilcox</small>}}
|-
| 6 October<ref name="Election calendar" />
| From 19:00
| [[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]<ref name="Election calendar" />
| Leaders' debate
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Judith Collins|Collins]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Jacinda Ardern|Ardern]]</small>}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
|-
| 8 October<ref name="Election calendar" />
| From 19:00
| [[TVNZ]]<ref name=tvnzdebates /><ref>{{cite web |title=Live updates: Minor party leaders make their pitch in TVNZ's multi-party debate, latest poll released |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/live-updates-minor-party-leaders-make-their-pitch-in-tvnz-s-multi-debate-latest-poll-released |website=TVNZ |access-date=8 October 2020 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011151714/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/live-updates-minor-party-leaders-make-their-pitch-in-tvnz-s-multi-debate-latest-poll-released |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Multi-party debate
| {{D-A|Absent}}
| {{D-A|Absent}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Winston Peters|Peters]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|Shaw]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[David Seymour (New Zealand politician)|Seymour]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Jami-Lee Ross|Ross]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[John Tamihere|Tamihere]]</small>}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
|-
| 15 October<ref name="Election calendar" />
| From 19:00
| [[TVNZ]]<ref name=tvnzdebates />
| Leaders' debate
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Judith Collins|Collins]]</small>}}
| {{D-P|Present <br /> <small>[[Jacinda Ardern|Ardern]]</small>}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
| {{D-N|Not invited}}
|-
|}

== Opinion polls ==
{{Main|Opinion polling for the 2020 New Zealand general election}}

Various organisations commissioned opinion polling for the general election. Two main polling organisations regularly sampled the electorates' opinions: Reid Research (on behalf of [[MediaWorks New Zealand]]) and [[Colmar Brunton]] (on behalf of [[Television New Zealand]]). Roy Morgan Research released a series of polls in June 2020, covering the first five months of the year, and subsequently released monthly polls. These were their first opinion polls in New Zealand since November 2017.
{{wide image|Opinion polling for the 2020 New Zealand general election.svg|1000px|Graphical summary of polls conducted for the 2020 New Zealand general election. Results as of the end of 17 October (election day) are indicated with diamonds.}}
{{clear}}

=== Seat projections ===
{{2020 NZ election forecasts}}

== Voting ==
EasyVote packs were sent to voters starting on 28 September 2020. These packs contain the voter's personalised EasyVote card, which is used by polling booth staff to help identify and locate the voter on the electoral roll. It also included flyers on the voting process and two referendums. On 5 October 2020, ''[[The Spinoff]]'' reported that four EasyVote packs in Northland allegedly contained a flyer from Votesafe, a third-party promoter opposing the End of Life Choice Act. Votesafe confirmed its flyers were printed at the same facility as the Electoral Commission's flyers, and both Votesafe and the Electoral Commission were investigating.<ref>{{cite web|last=Braae|first=Alex|date=5 October 2020|title=Complaint laid after assisted dying 'vote no' flyers found in official EasyVote packs|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/05-10-2020/complaint-laid-after-assisted-dying-vote-no-flyers-found-in-official-easyvote-packs/|access-date=6 October 2020|website=The Spinoff|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007202453/https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/05-10-2020/complaint-laid-after-assisted-dying-vote-no-flyers-found-in-official-easyvote-packs/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Group opposing euthanasia referendum claims to have no idea how its flyers got in EasyVote packs|work=Newshub|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/10/group-opposed-to-end-of-life-choice-act-claims-to-have-no-idea-how-its-flyers-ended-up-inside-electoral-commission-envelopes-says-manager.html|access-date=6 October 2020|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113231015/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/10/group-opposed-to-end-of-life-choice-act-claims-to-have-no-idea-how-its-flyers-ended-up-inside-electoral-commission-envelopes-says-manager.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Early voting|Advance voting]] began on 3 October at 450 polling locations, increasing to 2,600 locations on election day, 17 October. The [[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] estimated that 60% of votes would occur during the advance voting period, up from 47% in 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hundreds of sites to open for advance voting from today|work=Radio NZ|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/hundreds-sites-open-advance-voting-today|access-date=2 October 2020|via=1 News|archive-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002233744/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/hundreds-sites-open-advance-voting-today|url-status=live}}</ref> On 12 October, the number of advance votes cast passed the 1,240,740 advance votes cast overall at the 2017 election.<ref>{{cite web|date=13 October 2020|title=Election 2020: Advance votes surpass total in 2017|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/428240/election-2020-advance-votes-surpass-total-in-2017|access-date=14 October 2020|website=RNZ|language=en-nz|archive-date=15 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015182346/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/428240/election-2020-advance-votes-surpass-total-in-2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
Overall, 1,976,996 advance votes were cast, 66.7% of all votes cast.<ref>{{cite web|title=2020 General Election advance voting statistics {{!}} Elections|url=https://elections.nz/stats-and-research/2020-general-election-advance-voting-statistics/|access-date=6 October 2020|website=elections.nz|language=en-NZ|archive-date=5 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005193121/https://elections.nz/stats-and-research/2020-general-election-advance-voting-statistics|url-status=live}}</ref> The polling booth at North City Shopping Centre in [[Porirua]] was the busiest advance polling booth with 13,371 votes cast, while the polling booth at the [[Selwyn District Council]] headquarters in [[Rolleston, New Zealand|Rolleston]] was the busiest election-day polling booth with 1,601 votes cast.<ref>{{cite web|date=11 May 2021|title=Report of the Electoral Commission on the 2020 General Election and referendums|url=https://elections.nz/assets/2020-general-election/Report-of-the-Electoral-Commission-on-the-2020-General-Election-and-referendums.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518024913/https://elections.nz/assets/2020-general-election/Report-of-the-Electoral-Commission-on-the-2020-General-Election-and-referendums.pdf}}</ref>

Voters on the Māori roll faced issues with receiving [[Māori electorates|Māori electorate]] ballots due to high demand during advance voting, leading to some people having to cast [[special vote]]s instead.<ref>{{cite news|title='Disgusting' – Voters frustrated after electorates struggle with Māori roll for advance voting|work=1 News|publisher=TVNZ|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/disgusting-voters-frustrated-after-electorates-struggle-m-ori-roll-advance-voting|date=6 October 2020|access-date=6 October 2020|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008192056/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/disgusting-voters-frustrated-after-electorates-struggle-m-ori-roll-advance-voting|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 5 October, an error was discovered on [[Port Waikato (New Zealand electorate)|Port Waikato]] electorate ballot papers, where there was no circle to tick next to [[Vision NZ]] on the party vote ballot. The Electoral Commission subsequently reprinted the ballot papers. Provided the voter's intention is clear, a tick or other mark placed outside the circle will still be counted as a valid vote.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Voting papers for Port Waikato reprinted {{!}} Elections|url=https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2020/voting-papers-for-port-waikato-reprinted/|access-date=6 October 2020|website=Elections.nz|publisher=Electoral Commission}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=6 October 2020|title=Election 2020: Port Waikato voting papers reprinted after mistake leaves no circle for Vision New Zealand voters to tick|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12370900|access-date=6 October 2020|issn=1170-0777|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007032514/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12370900|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Electoral Commission referred two people to [[New Zealand Police|Police]] after they claimed to have [[Ballot stuffing|voted multiple times]], one on 5 October and another on 14 October.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Referral to the Police {{!}} Elections|url=https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2020/referral-to-the-police-2/|date=5 October 2020|access-date=7 October 2020|website=Elections.nz|publisher=Electoral Commission}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Referral to the Police {{!}} Elections|url=https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2020/referral-to-the-police-3/|date=14 October 2020|access-date=14 October 2020|website=Elections.nz|publisher=Electoral Commission|archive-date=19 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019223401/https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2020/referral-to-the-police-3/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2023, the Electoral Commission released a report which found that 16% of [[Asian New Zealanders]] had a "poor" or "very poor" understanding of the New Zealand voting process during the 2020 election, compared to 9% of non-Asians. The report also found that Asians were less confident that the New Zealand elections would be free from influence but were more likely to be motivated to "make a change" when voting. Asian New Zealanders were also less engaged with the EasyVote information package, television advertisements and informational pamphlets but were more likely to notice election advertising on signs and bus shelters. Asian voters were less familiar with voting instructions, candidates, and parties on ballot papers. Despite these negative findings, the report also found that Asian satisfaction with the voting process had improved since the 2017 election.<ref>{{cite news |title=Asian New Zealanders less engaged in 2023 |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/chinese/498707/asian-new-zealanders-less-engaged-in-2020-election |access-date=4 October 2023 |work=[[Radio New Zealand|RNZ Chinese]] |date=25 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004103626/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/chinese/498707/asian-new-zealanders-less-engaged-in-2020-election |archive-date=4 October 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Results ==
{{Main|Results of the 2020 New Zealand general election}}
[[File:2020 New Zealand general election - Results.svg|thumb|550px| Results of the 2020 general election. From left to right: general electorate winners, Māori electorate winners, and numbers of [[List MP]]s.]]
[[File:2020 New Zealand general election - List Results.svg|thumb|Map of party votes in each electorate. Labour won the most party votes in 71 of the 72 electorates, losing only [[Epsom (New Zealand electorate)|Epsom]].]]
Preliminary results were gradually released after polling booths close at 19:00 ([[New Zealand Time|NZDT]]) on 17 October.<ref name="about the election">{{cite web|url=https://vote.nz/voting/get-ready-to-vote/about-the-2020-general-election/|title=About the 2020 General Election|website=vote.nz|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]|access-date=9 September 2020|archive-date=21 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921191358/https://www.vote.nz/voting/get-ready-to-vote/about-the-2020-general-election/|url-status=live}}</ref> The preliminary count only includes advance ordinary and election day ordinary votes; it does not include any [[special vote]]s, which have a deadline ten days later (27 October).<ref name="counting votes" /> Special votes include votes from those who enrolled after the deadline of 13 September, those who voted outside their electorate (including all overseas votes), voters in hospital or prison, and those voters enrolled on the unpublished roll.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vote.nz/voting/get-help-to-vote/cant-get-to-a-voting-place/|title=Can't get to a voting place?|website=Elections.nz|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]|access-date=10 September 2020|archive-date=21 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921195647/https://www.vote.nz/voting/get-help-to-vote/cant-get-to-a-voting-place/|url-status=live}}</ref> Official results, including all recounted ordinary votes and special votes, were released by the Electoral Commission on 6 November 2020.<ref name="about the election" />

On the official results, the Labour Party won 65 seats, a majority of four–the party's biggest victory in 50 years.<ref>{{cite web|date=17 October 2020|title=Election 2020: Jacinda Ardern claims biggest Labour victory in 50 years|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300135131/election-2020-jacinda-ardern-claims-biggest-labour-victory-in-50-years|access-date=19 October 2020|website=Stuff|archive-date=18 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018164531/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300135131/election-2020-jacinda-ardern-claims-biggest-labour-victory-in-50-years|url-status=live}}</ref> The Labour Party's 50.0%<ref>{{cite news|last=Robinson|first=Claire|date=18 October 2020|title=New Zealand has put its faith in Labour: now the party must deliver|author-link=Claire Robinson (academic)|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/18/new-zealand-has-put-its-faith-in-labour-now-the-party-must-deliver|access-date=19 October 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=18 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018171210/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/18/new-zealand-has-put-its-faith-in-labour-now-the-party-must-deliver|url-status=live}}</ref> vote share in this election is the third highest throughout its 104-year history, only surpassed by its election victories in [[1938 New Zealand general election|1938]] (55.8%)<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=1890–1993 general elections {{!}} Elections|url=https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/historical-events/18901993-general-elections/|access-date=19 October 2020|website=elections.nz|language=en-NZ|archive-date=20 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020032104/https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/historical-events/18901993-general-elections/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[1946 New Zealand general election|1946]] (51.3%).<ref name=":0" /> It is the first time under the current [[mixed-member proportional representation]] (MMP) electoral system that a party has won a majority of parliamentary seats.<ref>{{cite web|title=Election 2020: National Party leader Judith Collins says 'no bloodletting', blames loss squarely on 'tsunami of Covid'|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2020-national-party-leader-judith-collins-says-no-bloodletting-blames-loss-squarely-on-tsunami-of-covid/LVVTQNACGP2GNIH7I3NHP4J2TM/|access-date=19 October 2020|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ|archive-date=19 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019025339/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2020-national-party-leader-judith-collins-says-no-bloodletting-blames-loss-squarely-on-tsunami-of-covid/LVVTQNACGP2GNIH7I3NHP4J2TM/|url-status=live}}</ref> The National Party obtained 25.6%<ref>{{cite news|title=NZ Election 2020: Judith Collins working to rebuild National after massive defeat|work=Newshub |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/10/nz-election-2020-judith-collins-working-to-rebuild-national-after-massive-defeat.html|access-date=19 October 2020|archive-date=21 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021100942/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/10/nz-election-2020-judith-collins-working-to-rebuild-national-after-massive-defeat.html|url-status=live}}</ref> of the popular vote and 33 seats<ref>{{cite news|date=17 October 2020|title=New Zealand election: Jacinda Ardern's Labour Party scores landslide win|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-54519628|access-date=19 October 2020|archive-date=18 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018224737/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-54519628|url-status=live}}</ref> in Parliament, which represented its worst result since [[2002 New Zealand general election|2002]] (where it obtained 20.9%<ref>{{cite web|date=7 August 2020|title=The sadness of a support partner as the axe looms|url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/page/the-sadness-of-a-support-partner-as-the-axe-looms?amp=1|access-date=19 October 2020|website=www.newsroom.co.nz|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113231015/https://www.newsroom.co.nz/page/the-sadness-of-a-support-partner-as-the-axe-looms?amp=1|url-status=live}}</ref> of the popular vote), its second worst historical result and one of the worst ever election defeats in its party's history<ref>{{cite web|title=Election 2020: 'Horrible, humiliating defeat' – National MPs lick wounds after landslide loss|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2020-horrible-humiliating-defeat-national-mps-lick-wounds-after-landslide-loss/B5GW2YWIFB7JFP6I67JCHWBO64/|access-date=19 October 2020|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ|archive-date=19 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019030211/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2020-horrible-humiliating-defeat-national-mps-lick-wounds-after-landslide-loss/B5GW2YWIFB7JFP6I67JCHWBO64/|url-status=live}}</ref> since the party's founding in 1936.<ref>{{Cite web|title=National Party founded {{!}} NZHistory, New Zealand history online|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/nz-national-party-founded|access-date=19 October 2020|website=nzhistory.govt.nz|archive-date=19 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019200245/https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/nz-national-party-founded|url-status=live}}</ref> National's leader Collins conceded the election just after 10pm on election night, but said in her concession speech that "[National] will be back".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sullivan|first1=Helen|last2=Busby|first2=Mattha|date=17 October 2020|title=NZ election 2020: Jacinda Ardern thanks voters amid Labour landslide – as it happened|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/oct/17/nz-election-2020-polls-live-results-new-zealand-jacinda-ardern-judith-collins-news|access-date=17 October 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017075434/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/oct/17/nz-election-2020-polls-live-results-new-zealand-jacinda-ardern-judith-collins-news|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title='We will be back': Judith Collins delivers concession speech after massive defeat|url=https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/vote-2020/judith-collins-delivers-concession-speech-to-national-party-supporters/|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Newstalk ZB|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017145124/https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/vote-2020/judith-collins-delivers-concession-speech-to-national-party-supporters/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The results of the "COVID-19 election"<ref>{{cite web|title=Ardern set to win in New Zealand's 'COVID election'|url=https://japantoday.com/category/world/ardern-set-to-win-in-new-zealand%27s-%27covid-election%27|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Japan Today|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017001805/https://japantoday.com/category/world/ardern-set-to-win-in-new-zealand%27s-%27covid-election%27|url-status=live}}</ref> led to the flipping of many traditionally "blue" National-voting provincial seats, with often more than comfortable margins. Examples were [[Wairarapa (New Zealand electorate)|Wairarapa]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Wairarapa electorate win a dream come true for Labour MP Kieran McAnulty |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/wairarapa-electorate-win-dream-come-true-labour-mp-kieran-mcanulty |access-date=18 October 2020 |work=TVNZ |date=17 October 2020 |language=en-NZ |archive-date=17 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017144627/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/wairarapa-electorate-win-dream-come-true-labour-mp-kieran-mcanulty |url-status=live}}</ref> [[East Coast (New Zealand electorate)|East Coast]],<ref>{{cite news |title=East Coast swings to Labour after Tolley retirement |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018768878/east-coast-swings-to-labour-after-tolley-retirement |access-date=18 October 2020 |work=Radio NZ |date=18 October 2020 |language=en-nz |archive-date=19 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019151127/https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018768878/east-coast-swings-to-labour-after-tolley-retirement |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Ōtaki (New Zealand electorate)|Ōtaki]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Rachel |date=18 October 2020|title=Election 2020: Labour's Ōtaki candidate takes the seat off National|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300135120/election-2020-labours-taki-candidate-takes-the-seat-off-national|url-status=live|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017161808/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300135120/election-2020-labours-taki-candidate-takes-the-seat-off-national}}</ref> and [[Rangitata (New Zealand electorate)|Rangitata]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Holden|first1=Joanne|last2=Littlewood|first2=Matthew|date=17 October 2020|title=Labour's Jo Luxton wins National-held Rangitata, Jacqui Dean holds Waitaki|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/300135301/labours-jo-luxton-wins-nationalheld-rangitata-jacqui-dean-holds-waitaki|url-status=live|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017221655/https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/300135301/labours-jo-luxton-wins-nationalheld-rangitata-jacqui-dean-holds-waitaki}}</ref> the latter having never previously voted for Labour.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rangitata: Electoral Profile – New Zealand Parliament|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/historical-electorate-profiles/electorate-profiles-data/document/DBHOH_Lib_EP_Rangitata_Electoral_Profile/rangitata-electoral-profile|access-date=17 October 2020|website=www.parliament.nz|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017110727/https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/historical-electorate-profiles/electorate-profiles-data/document/DBHOH_Lib_EP_Rangitata_Electoral_Profile/rangitata-electoral-profile|url-status=live}}</ref> In another devastating blow to National's heartlands, every city except [[Auckland]] (including the [[Hibiscus Coast]]), [[Tauranga]], [[Rotorua]] and [[Invercargill]] gave their seats entirely to Labour.{{efn|Some outer suburbs of [[Palmerston North]] and [[Christchurch]] fall into surrounding rural electorates that were won by National.|name=|group=}} Victims of National seat losses were National deputy leader [[Gerry Brownlee]], who had held [[Ilam (New Zealand electorate)|Ilam]] for its entire existence; [[Chris Bishop (politician)|Chris Bishop]], considered a rising star,<ref>{{cite web|title=Election results 2020: The key election seats – latest updates on the electorates that might change hands|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-results-2020-the-key-election-seats-latest-updates-on-the-electorates-that-might-change-hands/VXYQN4P6IA6Z7AVS7YANVMTM2I/|access-date=17 October 2020|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017084601/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-results-2020-the-key-election-seats-latest-updates-on-the-electorates-that-might-change-hands/VXYQN4P6IA6Z7AVS7YANVMTM2I/|url-status=live}}</ref> who unexpectedly flipped [[Hutt South]] for National in [[2017 New Zealand general election|2017]]; and [[Father of the House (New Zealand)|Father of the House]] [[Nick Smith (New Zealand politician)|Nick Smith]], member for [[Nelson (New Zealand electorate)|Nelson]] since [[1990 New Zealand general election|1990]]. Three electorates flipped to Labour following the inclusion of special votes: [[Northland (New Zealand electorate)|Northland]], [[Whangārei (New Zealand electorate)|Whangārei]] and [[Maungakiekie (New Zealand electorate)|Maungakiekie]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 November 2020|title=Special votes: National loses two MPs, one each to Labour, Māori Party|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/430006/special-votes-national-loses-two-mps-one-each-to-labour-maori-party|access-date=6 November 2020|website=RNZ|language=en-nz|archive-date=6 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106082134/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/430006/special-votes-national-loses-two-mps-one-each-to-labour-maori-party|url-status=live}}</ref> Labour also flipped [[Hamilton West (New Zealand electorate)|Hamilton West]], the country's [[bellwether]]; in 15 of the 17 general elections since the electorate's formation in 1969, the candidate winning the electorate vote in Hamilton West has been from the party that would form the government, the two exceptions being [[1993 New Zealand general election|1993]] and 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 October 2020|title=Election 2020: Why Hamilton West's vote is so important|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122920983/election-2020-why-hamilton-wests-vote-is-so-important|access-date=19 October 2020|website=Stuff|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008073143/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122920983/election-2020-why-hamilton-wests-vote-is-so-important|url-status=live}}</ref>

In a surprise victory, list MP [[Chlöe Swarbrick]] won the [[Auckland Central (New Zealand electorate)|Auckland Central]] [[New Zealand electorates|electoral seat]] vacated by National's retiring [[Nikki Kaye]], with a margin of 1,068 votes over Labour's [[Helen White (politician)|Helen White]], thus winning for the [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand#Electoral results|Green Party]] an electorate seat for the first time since [[1999 New Zealand general election|1999]].<ref>{{cite web|date=12 October 2017|title=Media release: 2017 General Election writ returned|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/footer/about-us/office-of-the-clerk/office-of-the-clerk-media-releases/media-release-2017-general-election-writ-returned/|access-date=9 September 2020|website=Parliament.nz|publisher=[[New Zealand Parliament]]|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913065616/https://www.parliament.nz/en/footer/about-us/office-of-the-clerk/office-of-the-clerk-media-releases/media-release-2017-general-election-writ-returned/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |date=17 October 2020 |title=Auckland Central – Preliminary Count |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020_preliminary/electorate-details-01.html |access-date=25 September 2021 |website=Election Results NZ |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)]] }}{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Swarbrick's victory was notable as she garnered 3,923<ref name=":1"/> more votes within the same electorate than her own [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green Party]], a prime example of voters being engaged in [[split-ticket voting]]; however, it was highly unusual as numerous voters who supported a major party also voted for an electorate MP from a minor party.<ref>{{cite web|title=Election 2020: The battle for central Auckland is splitting the left|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2020-the-battle-for-central-auckland-is-splitting-the-left/YSTSUAKSQQ3FCTMMJF6L57XQ5M/|access-date=18 October 2020|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ|archive-date=19 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019053311/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2020-the-battle-for-central-auckland-is-splitting-the-left/YSTSUAKSQQ3FCTMMJF6L57XQ5M/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Māori Party also returned to Parliament due to the election of [[Rawiri Waititi]] in the seat of [[Waiariki (New Zealand electorate)|Waiariki]], a seat which the party had lost three years prior.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/428648/waiariki-result-the-maori-party-now-has-the-waka-on-the-water |publisher=Radio New Zealand |access-date=29 October 2020 |title=Waiariki result: 'The Māori Party now has the waka on the water' |date=18 October 2020 |archive-date=21 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021012228/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/428648/waiariki-result-the-maori-party-now-has-the-waka-on-the-water |url-status=live}}</ref> This makes [[Tāmati Coffey]] the only Labour electorate MP to lose their electorate, however due to his list placing, Coffey returned to parliament through the list.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bathgate |first=Benn |title=Tāmati Coffey claims 'race isn't over yet' for Waiariki |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/123124222/tamati-coffey-claims-race-isnt-over-yet-for-waiariki |access-date=29 October 2020 |work=Stuff |date=18 October 2020 |archive-date=22 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022090455/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/123124222/tamati-coffey-claims-race-isnt-over-yet-for-waiariki |url-status=live}}</ref>

The 2020 general election saw the election of New Zealand's first [[African New Zealanders|African]] MP ([[Ibrahim Omer]]), first [[Sri Lankan New Zealanders|Sri Lankan]]-born MP ([[Vanushi Walters]]) and first Latin American MP ([[Ricardo Menéndez March]]).<ref>{{cite web|title=Election 2020: Forty newcomers include our first African, Latin American and Sri Lankan MPs|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2020-forty-newcomers-include-our-first-african-latin-american-and-sri-lankan-mps/WAU467WZ6Q2FSJ4MEUOE5BQDSQ/|access-date=19 October 2020|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ|archive-date=18 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018222938/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2020-forty-newcomers-include-our-first-african-latin-american-and-sri-lankan-mps/WAU467WZ6Q2FSJ4MEUOE5BQDSQ/|url-status=live}}</ref> Six new [[LGBT+]] MPs were elected (Menéndez March, [[Glen Bennett]], [[Ayesha Verrall]], [[Shanan Halbert]], [[Elizabeth Kerekere]], [[Tangi Utikere]]), making the New Zealand House of Representatives the national parliament with the highest percentage of LGBT+ members in the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Zealand is on track to elect the 'gayest parliament in the world'|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/new-zealand-is-on-track-to-elect-the-gayest-parliament-in-the-world|access-date=18 October 2020|website=SBS News|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023092255/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/new-zealand-is-on-track-to-elect-the-gayest-parliament-in-the-world|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-zealands-rainbow-parliament-still-has-a-long-way-to-go-in-terms-of-full-representation/3AZ5S3M5EMDRT2LCM47ICF5FJY/ |title=New Zealand's rainbow Parliament still has 'a long way' to go in terms of full representation |date=21 October 2020 |first=Jason |last=Walls |access-date=26 October 2020 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026125353/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-zealands-rainbow-parliament-still-has-a-long-way-to-go-in-terms-of-full-representation/3AZ5S3M5EMDRT2LCM47ICF5FJY/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Parties and candidates have three working days after the release of the official results to apply for a [[Election recount|judicial recount]]. These recounts take place under the auspices of a [[District Court of New Zealand|District Court]] judge (the Chief District Court Judge in case of a nationwide recount).<ref>[[Electoral Act 1993]], sections 190 and 191.</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Election recounts and petitions|url=https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/about-elections/election-recounts-and-petitions/|access-date=10 September 2020|website=Elections.nz|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913073411/https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/about-elections/election-recounts-and-petitions/|url-status=live}}</ref> National MP Matt King announced he would seek a recount in the Northland electorate, after he lost the electorate to Labour's Willow-Jean Prime by 163 votes,<ref>{{cite web|date=6 November 2020|title=Election 2020: National's Matt King wants recount as Northland, Whangārei go red|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300152113/election-2020-nationals-matt-king-wants-recount-as-northland-whangrei-go-red|access-date=6 November 2020|website=Stuff|archive-date=6 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106075326/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300152113/election-2020-nationals-matt-king-wants-recount-as-northland-whangrei-go-red|url-status=live}}</ref> but later changed his mind and conceded.<ref>{{cite news |last=Clent |first=Danielle |title=Election 2020: National's Matt King won't ask for recount after losing Northland |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300152691/election-2020-nationals-matt-king-wont-ask-for-recount-after-losing-northland |access-date=7 November 2020 |agency=Stuff |date=7 November 2020 |archive-date=6 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106222436/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300152691/election-2020-nationals-matt-king-wont-ask-for-recount-after-losing-northland |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Detailed results===
{{#section:Results of the 2020 New Zealand general election|Results}}
{{bar box
| title=Electorate vote
| titlebar=#ddd
| width=600px
| barwidth=410px
| bars=
{{bar percent|'''Labour'''|{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}|48.07}}
{{bar percent|National|{{party color|New Zealand National Party}}|34.13}}
{{bar percent|Green|{{party color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}|5.74}}
{{bar percent|ACT|{{party color|ACT New Zealand}}|3.46}}
{{bar percent|Māori|{{party color|Māori Party}}|2.15}}
{{bar percent|New Conservative|{{party color|New Conservative Party (New Zealand)}}|1.76}}
{{bar percent|NZ First|{{party color|New Zealand First}}|1.07}}
{{bar percent|Others|#777777|3.62}}
}}
{{bar box
| title=Party vote
| titlebar=#ddd
| width=600px
| barwidth=410px
| bars=
{{bar percent|'''Labour'''|{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}|50.01}}
{{bar percent|National|{{party color|New Zealand National Party}}|25.58}}
{{bar percent|Green|{{party color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}|7.86}}
{{bar percent|ACT|{{party color|ACT New Zealand}}|7.59}}
{{bar percent|NZ First|{{party color|New Zealand First}}|2.60}}
{{bar percent|Opportunities|{{party color|The Opportunities Party}}|1.51}}
{{bar percent|New Conservative|{{party color|New Conservative Party (New Zealand)}}|1.48}}
{{bar percent|Māori|{{party color|Māori Party}}|1.17}}
{{bar percent|Others|#777777|2.22}}
}}
{{bar box
| title=Parliament seats
| titlebar=#ddd
| width=600px
| barwidth=410px
| bars=
{{bar percent|'''Labour'''|{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}|54.17}}
{{bar percent|National|{{party color|New Zealand National Party}}|27.50}}
{{bar percent|Green|{{party color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}|8.33}}
{{bar percent|ACT|{{party color|ACT New Zealand}}|8.33}}
{{bar percent|Māori|{{party color|Māori Party}}|1.67}}
}}

=== Electorate results ===
[[File:2020_New_Zealand_general_electorates.svg|thumb|right|300px|Party affiliation of winning electorate candidates.]]
{{See also|Candidates in the 2020 New Zealand general election by electorate}}

{{#section:Results of the 2020 New Zealand general election|Results by electorate}}

In above table, majority denotes the winning candidate's lead over the second place candidate.

<gallery>
Chlöe Swarbrick headshot.jpg|[[Chlöe Swarbrick]] (Auckland Central)
Tracey McLellan.jpg|[[Tracey McLellan]] (Banks Peninsula)
Todd Muller.jpg|[[Todd Muller]] (Bay of Plenty)
Christopher Luxon (crop).jpg|[[Christopher Luxon]] (Botany)
Dr Duncan Webb.jpg|[[Duncan Webb]] (Christchurch Central)
Hon Poto Williams.jpg|[[Poto Williams]] (Christchurch East)
Scott Simpson swearing in (cropped).jpg|[[Scott Simpson (politician)|Scott Simpson]] (Coromandel)
Hon Dr David Clark.jpg|[[David Clark (New Zealand politician)|David Clark]] (Dunedin)
Kiri Allan.jpg|[[Kiri Allan]] (East Coast)
File:David Seymour (cropped).jpg|[[David Seymour (New Zealand politician)|David Seymour]] (Epsom)
Jamie Strange.jpg|[[Jamie Strange]] (Hamilton East)
Dr Gaurav Sharma.jpg|[[Gaurav Sharma (politician)|Gaurav Sharma]] (Hamilton West)
Ginny Andersen.jpg|[[Ginny Andersen]] (Hutt South)
Sarah Pallett.jpg|[[Sarah Pallett]] (Ilam)
Penny Simmonds (cropped).jpg|[[Penny Simmonds]] (Invercargill)
Chris Penk, 2021.jpg|[[Chris Penk]] (Kaipara ki Mahurangi)
Hon Carmel Sepuloni.jpg|[[Carmel Sepuloni]] (Kelston)
Barbara Edmonds.jpg|[[Barbara Edmonds]] (Mana)
Hon Aupito William Sio.jpg|[[William Sio]] (Māngere)
Arena Williams.jpg|[[Arena Williams]] (Manurewa)
Priyanca Radhakrishnan.jpg|[[Priyanca Radhakrishnan]] (Maungakiekie)
Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern.jpg|[[Jacinda Ardern]] (Mount Albert)
Michael Wood (New Zealand Politician).jpg|[[Michael Wood (New Zealand politician)|Michael Wood]] (Mount Roskill)
Hon Stuart Nash.jpg|[[Stuart Nash]] (Napier)
Rachel Boyack.jpg|[[Rachel Boyack]] (Nelson)
Dr Deborah Russell.jpg|[[Deborah Russell]] (New Lynn)
Glen Bennett.jpg|[[Glen Bennett]] (New Plymouth)
Portrait.sgw.jpg|[[Simon Watts]] (North Shore)
Shanan Halbert.jpg|[[Shanan Halbert]] (Northcote)
Willow-Jean Prime (New Zealand Politician).jpg|[[Willow-Jean Prime]] (Northland)
Greg O'Connor (New Zealand Politician).jpg|[[Greg O'Connor (politician)|Greg O'Connor]] (Ōhāriu)
Terisa Ngobi.jpg|[[Terisa Ngobi]] (Ōtaki)
Tangi Utikere.jpg|[[Tangi Utikere]] (Palmerston North)
Hon Jenny Salesa.jpg|[[Jenny Salesa]] (Panmure-Ōtāhuhu)
Judith Collins.png|[[Judith Collins]] (Papakura)
File:Andrew Bayly (crop).jpg|[[Andrew Bayly]] (Port Waikato)
Jo Luxton.jpg|[[Jo Luxton]] (Rangitata)
Hon Chris Hipkins.jpg|[[Chris Hipkins]] (Remutaka)
Paul Eagle (New Zealand Politician).jpg|[[Paul Eagle]] (Rongotai)
Todd McClay.jpg|[[Todd McClay]] (Rotorua)
Nicola Grigg - Lincoln (cropped).jpg|[[Nicola Grigg]] (Selwyn)
Ingrid Leary.jpg|[[Ingrid Leary]] (Taieri)
Dr Neru Leavasa.jpg|[[Neru Leavasa]] (Takanini)
Bjk.portrait.jpg|[[Barbara Kuriger]] (Taranaki-King Country)
File:Louise Upston in 2010 (cropped).jpg|[[Louise Upston]] (Taupō)
Simon-Bridges-Free-Crop.jpg|[[Simon Bridges]] (Tauranga)
Hon Phil Twyford.jpg|[[Phil Twyford]] (Te Atatū)
Anna Lorck.jpg|[[Anna Lorck]] (Tukituki)
Vanushi Walters.jpg|[[Vanushi Walters]] (Upper Harbour)
Tim van de Molen.png|[[Tim van de Molen]] (Waikato)
Kieran McAnulty.jpg|[[Kieran McAnulty]] (Wairarapa)
Hon Grant Robertson.jpg|[[Grant Robertson]] (Wellington Central)
Hon Damien O'Connor.jpg|[[Damien O'Connor]] (West Coast-Tasman)
Steph Lewis.jpg|[[Steph Lewis]] (Whanganui)
File:Mark Mitchell 2017.jpg|[[Mark Mitchell (New Zealand politician)|Mark Mitchell]] (Whangaparāoa)
Emily Henderson.jpg|[[Emily Henderson (politician)|Emily Henderson]] (Whangārei)
Hon Dr Megan Woods.jpg|[[Megan Woods]] (Wigram)
Hon Nanaia Mahuta.jpg|[[Nanaia Mahuta]] (Hauraki-Waikato)
Hon Meka Whaitiri.jpg|[[Meka Whaitiri]] (Ikaroa-Rāwhiti)
Hon Peeni Henare.jpg|[[Peeni Henare]] (Tāmaki Makaurau)
Adrian Rurawhe.jpg|[[Adrian Rurawhe]] (Te Tai Hauāuru)
Hon Kelvin Davis.jpg|[[Kelvin Davis (politician)|Kelvin Davis]] (Te Tai Tokerau)
Rino Tirikatene.jpg|[[Rino Tirikatene]] (Te Tai Tonga)
</gallery>

=== List results ===
{{further|Party lists in the 2020 New Zealand general election}}

The following [[List MP|list candidates]] were elected:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|'''[[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]]'''
|'''[[New Zealand National Party|National]]'''
|'''[[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green]]'''
|'''[[ACT New Zealand|ACT]]'''
| '''[[Māori Party|Māori]]'''
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}" |
| bgcolor="{{party color|New Zealand National Party}}" |
| bgcolor="{{party color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}" |
| bgcolor="{{party color|ACT New Zealand}}" |
| bgcolor={{party color|Māori Party}}|
|-
|valign=top|
[[Andrew Little (New Zealand politician)|Andrew Little]] (07)<br />
[[David Parker (New Zealand politician)|David Parker]] (09)<br />
[[Trevor Mallard]] (11)<br />
[[Kris Faafoi]] (15)<br />
[[Ayesha Verrall]] (17)<br />
[[Willie Jackson (politician)|Willie Jackson]] (19)<br />
[[Louisa Wall]] (27)<br />
[[Camilla Belich]] (30)<br />
[[Jan Tinetti]] (32) <br />
[[Marja Lubeck]] (34) <br />
[[Angie Warren-Clark]] (35) <br />
[[Tāmati Coffey]] (37) <br />
[[Naisi Chen]] (38) <br />
[[Liz Craig]] (41) <br />
[[Ibrahim Omer]] (42) <br />
[[Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki]] (44) <br />
[[Rachel Brooking]] (46) <br />
[[Helen White (politician)|Helen White]] (48) <br />
[[Angela Roberts]] (50)
|valign=top|
[[Gerry Brownlee]] (02)<br />
[[Paul Goldsmith (politician)|Paul Goldsmith]] (03)<br />
[[Shane Reti]] (05)<br />
[[Chris Bishop (politician)|Chris Bishop]] (07)<br />
[[David Bennett (New Zealand politician)|David Bennett]] (11)<br />
[[Michael Woodhouse]] (12)<br />
[[Nicola Willis]] (13)<br />
[[Melissa Lee]] (16)<br />
[[Nick Smith (New Zealand politician)|Nick Smith]] (18)<br />
[[Maureen Pugh]] (19)
|valign=top|
[[Marama Davidson]] (01)<br />
[[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|James Shaw]] (02)<br />
[[Julie Anne Genter]] (04)<br />
[[Jan Logie]] (05)<br />
[[Eugenie Sage]] (06)<br />
[[Golriz Ghahraman]] (07)<br />
[[Teanau Tuiono]] (08)<br />
[[Elizabeth Kerekere]] (09)<br />
[[Ricardo Menéndez March]] (10)
|valign=top|
[[Brooke van Velden]] (02)<br />
[[Nicole McKee]] (03)<br />
[[Chris Baillie (politician)|Chris Baillie]] (04)<br />
[[Simon Court]] (05)<br />
[[James McDowall]] (06)<br />
[[Karen Chhour]] (07)<br />
[[Mark Cameron (politician)|Mark Cameron]] (08)<br />
[[Toni Severin]] (09)<br />
[[Damien Smith (politician)|Damien Smith]] (10)
|valign=top|
[[Debbie Ngarewa-Packer]] (01)
|}

<gallery>
Hon Andrew Little.jpg|[[Andrew Little (New Zealand politician)|Andrew Little]] (Labour)
Hon David Parker.jpg|[[David Parker (New Zealand politician)|David Parker]] (Labour)
Rt Hon Trevor Mallard.jpg|[[Trevor Mallard]] (Labour)
Hon Kris Faafoi.jpg|[[Kris Faafoi]] (Labour)
Dr Ayesha Verrall - Labour List Candidate.jpg|[[Ayesha Verrall]] (Labour)
Hon Willie Jackson.jpg|[[Willie Jackson (politician)|Willie Jackson]] (Labour)
Louisa Wall (New Zealand Politician).jpg|[[Louisa Wall]] (Labour)
Camilla Belich.jpg|[[Camilla Belich]] (Labour)
Jan Tinetti.jpg|[[Jan Tinetti]] (Labour)
Marja Lubeck.jpg|[[Marja Lubeck]] (Labour)
Angie Warren-Clark.jpg|[[Angie Warren-Clark]] (Labour)
Tāmati Coffey.jpg|[[Tāmati Coffey]] (Labour)
Naisi Chen.jpg|[[Naisi Chen]] (Labour)
Dr Liz Craig.jpg|[[Liz Craig]] (Labour)
Ibrahim Omer.jpg|[[Ibrahim Omer]] (Labour)
Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki.jpg|[[Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki]] (Labour)
Rachel Brooking.jpg|[[Rachel Brooking]] (Labour)
Helen White.jpg|[[Helen White (politician)|Helen White]] (Labour)
Angela Roberts.jpg|[[Angela Roberts]] (Labour)
Gerry Brownlee 2017.jpg|[[Gerry Brownlee]] (National)
Shane Reti lays wreath 2021 (cropped).jpg|[[Shane Reti]] (National)
Chris Bishop (cropped).jpg|[[Chris Bishop (politician)|Chris Bishop]] (National)
Michael Woodhouse.jpg|[[Michael Woodhouse]] (National)
Nicola Willis 2020 (cropped).jpg|[[Nicola Willis]] (National)
Melissa Lee.jpg|[[Melissa Lee]] (National)
Nick Smith at Lincoln University, 2016.jpg|[[Nick Smith (New Zealand politician)|Nick Smith]] (National)
Maureen Pugh (cropped).jpg|[[Maureen Pugh]] (National)
Marama Davidson 2019 (cropped).jpg|[[Marama Davidson]] (Green)
James Shaw, 2014 (cropped).jpg|[[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|James Shaw]] (Green)
Julie Anne Genter, 2017 (cropped).jpg|[[Julie Anne Genter]] (Green)
Jan Logie in 2019.jpg|[[Jan Logie]] (Green)
Eugenie Sage 2018 (cropped).jpg|[[Eugenie Sage]] (Green)
Golriz Ghahraman (cropped).jpg|[[Golriz Ghahraman]] (Green)
Teanau Tuiono crop.jpg|[[Teanau Tuiono]] (Green)
Elizabeth Kerekere.jpg|[[Elizabeth Kerekere]] (Green)
Ricardo Menendez March crop.jpg|[[Ricardo Menéndez March]] (Green)
</gallery>

=== MPs who lost their seats ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
! Name
! colspan=2|Party
! Electorate/[[List MP|List]]
! Term in office
|-
| [[Jami-Lee Ross]]
| {{party name with color|Advance New Zealand}}
| [[Botany (New Zealand electorate)|Botany]]
| 2011–2020
|-
| [[Tim Macindoe]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| [[Hamilton East (New Zealand electorate)|Hamilton East]]
| 2008–2020
|-
| [[Denise Lee]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| [[Maungakiekie (New Zealand electorate)|Maungakiekie]]
| 2017–2020
|-
| [[Jonathan Young (politician)|Jonathan Young]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| [[New Plymouth (New Zealand electorate)|New Plymouth]]
| 2008–2020
|-
| [[Dan Bidois]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| [[Northcote (New Zealand electorate)|Northcote]]
| 2018–2020
|-
| [[Matt King (politician)|Matt King]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| [[Northland (New Zealand electorate)|Northland]]
| 2017–2020
|-
| [[Harete Hipango]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| [[Whanganui (New Zealand electorate)|Whanganui]]
| 2017–2020<br />2021–present
|-
| [[Jonathan Young (politician)|Jonathan Young]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| [[New Plymouth (New Zealand electorate)|New Plymouth]]
| 2008–2020
|-
| [[Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| List
| 2008–2020
|-
| [[Paulo Garcia (New Zealand politician)|Paulo Garcia]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| List
| 2019–2020
|-
| [[Parmjeet Parmar]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| List
| 2014–2020
|-
| [[Agnes Loheni]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| List
| 2019–2020
|-
| [[Alfred Ngaro]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| List
| 2011–2020
|-
| [[Brett Hudson (politician)|Brett Hudson]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| List
| 2014–2020
|-
| [[Jo Hayes]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
| List
| 2014–2020
|-
| [[Winston Peters]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand First}}
| List
| 1979–1981<br /> 1984–2008<br /> 2011–2020
|-
| [[Fletcher Tabuteau]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand First}}
| List
| 2014–2020
|-
|[[Tracey Martin]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand First}}
| List
| 2011–2020
|-
|[[Shane Jones]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand First}}
| List
| 2005–2014<br />2017–2020
|-
|[[Ron Mark]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand First}}
| List
| 1996–2008<br />2014–2020
|-
|[[Darroch Ball]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand First}}
| List
| 2014–2020
|-
|[[Mark Patterson (New Zealand politician)|Mark Patterson]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand First}}
| List
| 2017–2020
|-
|[[Jenny Marcroft]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand First}}
| List
| 2017–2020
|-
|}
[[File:Summary of the 17 October 2020 election for the House of Representatives (Westminster Style).svg|thumb|Depiction of the government formation. While Labour formed a majority government, they chose to invite the Greens to participate in an idiosyncratic "cooperation agreement", which gave the latter two ministers outside cabinet.]]

=== Government formation ===
On 31 October, Ardern announced that despite the Labour Party having won enough seats to continue the [[Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand|Sixth Labour Government]] on their own, they had invited the Greens to participate in a "cooperation agreement", seeking their input on matters such as the environment, climate change and child wellbeing, and that the Greens had accepted the offer. Under the deal (which is not a coalition agreement), the two co-leaders of the Greens will receive ministerial portfolios outside the cabinet. James Shaw will continue in his previous role as [[Minister for Climate Change (New Zealand)|Minister for Climate Change]], as well as associate environment minister (biodiversity). Marama Davidson will be appointed to the new position of [[Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence]], and will also take on the role of associate minister of housing (homelessness).<ref>{{cite news|last=Roy|first=Eleanor Ainge|date=31 October 2020|title=New Zealand Greens accept Ardern's offer of 'cooperation agreement'|language=en-GB|work=The Observer|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/31/new-zealand-greens-accept-arderns-offer-of-cooperation-agreement|access-date=1 November 2020|issn=0029-7712|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101010850/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/31/new-zealand-greens-accept-arderns-offer-of-cooperation-agreement|url-status=live}}</ref> The Green Party also agreed to abstain on motions of confidence and supply during the term.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Giovannetti |first1=Justin |title=What the Labour-Greens deal means for the next three years |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/31-10-2020/what-the-labour-greens-deal-means-for-the-next-three-years |access-date=27 March 2023 |work=[[The Spinoff]] |date=31 October 2020 |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

== Post-election events ==

=== Leadership changes ===
Following the election, [[Gerry Brownlee]] stepped down as deputy leader of the National Party. On 10 November 2020, [[Shane Reti]] was elected unopposed as his replacement. Leader Judith Collins was also unopposed to retain her position.<ref>{{cite web|date=10 November 2020|title=Shane Reti becomes new deputy leader of the National Party|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/123350020/shane-reti-becomes-new-deputy-leader-of-the-national-party|access-date=9 November 2020|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113231011/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/123350020/shane-reti-elected-unopposed-as-new-deputy-leader-of-the-national-party|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 3 November, [[Geoff Simmons]] stepped down as leader of The Opportunities Party. [[Shai Navot]], former deputy leader, took over from Simmons.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Opportunities Party leader Geoff Simmons resigns, interim leader named |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/123287891/the-opportunities-party-leader-geoff-simmons-resigns-interim-leader-named |access-date=21 November 2020 |agency=Stuff |date=3 November 2020 |archive-date=10 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110083955/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/123287891/the-opportunities-party-leader-geoff-simmons-resigns-interim-leader-named |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 19 November, the board of the [[New Conservative Party (New Zealand)|New Conservative Party]] removed the party's leader, [[Leighton Baker]], and replaced him with his deputy, [[Elliot Ikilei]]. The party's third-ranked list candidate at the election, Victoria O'Brien, became deputy leader.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Small |first1=Zane |title=No-nonsense' gun advocate Victoria O'Brien part of New Conservative's fresh leadership team as Leighton Baker departs |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/11/no-nonsense-gun-advocate-victoria-o-brien-part-of-new-conservative-s-fresh-leadership-team-as-leighton-baker-departs.html |access-date=19 November 2020 |agency=Newshub |date=19 November 2020 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127060238/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/11/no-nonsense-gun-advocate-victoria-o-brien-part-of-new-conservative-s-fresh-leadership-team-as-leighton-baker-departs.html |url-status=live }}</ref> O'Brien however resigned after less than a week in the role, on 25 November, amid apparent division in the party over Baker's removal and his subsequent role within its organisation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Braae |first1=Alex |title=New Conservative deputy quits one week in, deepening leadership tumult |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/25-11-2020/new-conservative-deputy-quits-one-week-in-deepening-leadership-tumult/ |access-date=25 November 2020 |publisher=The Spinoff |date=25 November 2020 |archive-date=25 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125015839/https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/25-11-2020/new-conservative-deputy-quits-one-week-in-deepening-leadership-tumult/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Ikilei announced his resignation on New Year's Eve.<ref>{{cite tweet |last=Page |first=Elliot |author-link=Elliot Page |user=ElliotIkilei |number=1344278514262921216 |date=30 December 2020 |title=Fakalofa atu, I have resigned my leadership of New Conservative, knowing that the board &amp; wider party will still defend conservatism in our society. We Conservatives will continue to defend life, freedom &amp; sovereignty from the insidiousness of Progressivism. God bless NZ. https://t.co/YZwDOmtPfr |language=en |access-date=15 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819023109/https://twitter.com/ElliotIkilei/status/1344278514262921216 |archive-date=19 August 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=October 2023}}

=== Local by-elections ===
A number of [[Local government in New Zealand|local by-elections]] are required due to the resignation of an incumbent local body politician following their election to Parliament:

* [[Palmerston North|Palmerston North City Council]] by-election: Deputy Mayor of Palmerston North [[Tangi Utikere]] resigned his seat on the council after he was elected MP for [[Palmerston North (New Zealand electorate)|Palmerston North]], necessitating a by-election to fill the councillor vacancy. The election took place on 17 February 2021, with Orphée Mickalad being elected councillor.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final results of city by-election for new Councillor|url=https://www.pncc.govt.nz/news-events/news/by-election-2021-final-results/|access-date=20 April 2021|website=www.pncc.govt.nz|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420061512/https://www.pncc.govt.nz/news-events/news/by-election-2021-final-results/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board]] by election: Local board member [[Neru Leavasa]] resigned his seat after he was elected MP for [[Takanini (New Zealand electorate)|Takanini]],<ref name="Māngere-Ōtāhuhu">{{cite web |title=Papaliitele Lafulafu Peo wins Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board by-election |url=https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2021/02/papaliitele-lafulafu-peo-wins-mangere-otahuhu-local-board-by-election/ |website=Our Auckland |publisher=Auckland Council |access-date=3 October 2021 |date=19 February 2021 |archive-date=3 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003065744/https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2021/02/papaliitele-lafulafu-peo-wins-mangere-otahuhu-local-board-by-election/ |url-status=live }}</ref> necessitating a by-election to fill the vacancy. The by-election saw [[Communities and Residents]] candidate Malcolm Turner make allegations of voter interference against Labour candidate Papaliitele Lafulafu Peo.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Latif |first1=Justin |title=Allegations of voter interference in South Auckland by-election 'disheartening' |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/435742/allegations-of-voter-interference-in-south-auckland-by-election-disheartening |access-date=3 October 2021 |agency=Local Democracy Reporting |publisher=RNZ |date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=3 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003065744/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/435742/allegations-of-voter-interference-in-south-auckland-by-election-disheartening |url-status=live }}</ref> Peo was declared the winner on 19 February 2021.<ref name="Māngere-Ōtāhuhu" />

=== Calls for vote recount ===
On 11 November, the [[Māori Party]] co-leader [[John Tamihere]] requested a vote recount in the [[Māori electorates|Māori electorate]]s of [[Tāmaki Makaurau]] and [[Te Tai Hauāuru]], alleging there had been voter discrimination against Māori during the 2020 election. Tamihere claimed that the recount was intended to expose discriminatory laws such as the five-yearly Māori Electoral Option (which limited the ability of Māori to switch between the general and Māori rolls for a period five years), longer wait times for Māori voters at election booths, and some Māori not being allowed to vote on the Māori roll.<ref>{{cite news |last=Burrows |first=Matt |title=NZ Election 2020: Māori Party asks for recount in two electorates, pushes for Electoral Act reform |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/11/nz-election-2020-m-ori-party-asks-for-recount-in-two-electorates-pushes-for-electoral-act-reform.amp.html |access-date=13 November 2020 |work=[[Newshub]] |date=13 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113075414/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/11/nz-election-2020-m-ori-party-asks-for-recount-in-two-electorates-pushes-for-electoral-act-reform.amp.html |archive-date=13 November 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The altered official results for the two electorates following the recounts were released on 20 November. Tamihere's margin of defeat in [[Tāmaki Makaurau]] decreased from 956 to 927, while [[Debbie Ngarewa-Packer]]'s margin of defeat in [[Te Tai Hauāuru]] increased from 1,035 to 1,053.<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 General Election Results of the Official Count |url=https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2020-au5126 |work=New Zealand Gazette |access-date=20 November 2020 |archive-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119213104/https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2020-au5126 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Amended Official Result for the Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Tai Hauāuru Electoral Districts |url=https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2020-au5297 |work=[[New Zealand Gazette]] |access-date=20 November 2020 |archive-date=24 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124175004/https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2020-au5297 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Election donations ===
====Māori Party====
On 12 April 2021, the [[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] referred the Māori Party to the Police for failing to disclose about NZ$320,000 worth of donations within the required timeframe. These donations came from former party co-leader [[John Tamihere]] (NZ$158,223.72), the Urban Māori Authority (NZ$48,879.85), and the Aotearoa Te Kahu Limited Partnership (NZ$120,000). Party President Che Wilson attributed the late disclosure to the fact that the party was staffed by volunteers and rookies who were unfamiliar with electoral finance laws.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Trevett |first1=Claire |title=Election donations: Māori Party referred to police over $320,000 in undeclared donations |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-donations-maori-party-referred-to-police-over-320000-in-undeclared-donations/6ZHXNU36DJ6ZFJTP7E6J3GI5BY/ |access-date=12 April 2021 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=12 April 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=12 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412021429/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-donations-maori-party-referred-to-police-over-320000-in-undeclared-donations/6ZHXNU36DJ6ZFJTP7E6J3GI5BY/ }}</ref> In late April, the Police referred the investigation into the Māori Party's undeclared donations to the [[Serious Fraud Office (New Zealand)|Serious Fraud Office]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Manch |first1=Thomas |title=Police refer Māori Party to Serious Fraud Office over $328,000 in undeclared donations |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/124974834/police-refer-mori-party-to-serious-fraud-office-over-328000-in-undeclared-donations |access-date=29 April 2021 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=29 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428072105/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/124974834/police-refer-mori-party-to-serious-fraud-office-over-328000-in-undeclared-donations |archive-date=28 April 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> By late September 2022, the Serious Fraud Office had closed the investigation and declined to prosecute the individuals and parties involved.<ref name="Bryce Edwards 30 Sep 2022">{{cite web |last1=Edwards |first1=Bryce |title=Political Roundup: Te Pāti Māori and vested interests |url=https://democracyproject.nz/2022/09/30/bryce-edwards-political-roundup-te-pati-maori-and-vested-interests/ |website=Democracy Project |publisher=[[Victoria University of Wellington]] |access-date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930001523/https://democracyproject.nz/2022/09/30/bryce-edwards-political-roundup-te-pati-maori-and-vested-interests/ |archive-date=30 September 2022 |date=30 September 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In late September 2022, [[Charities Services]] general manager Natasha Weight confirmed that the agency was investigating two charities headed by Tamihere, the [[Te Whānau Waipareira Trust]] and the [[National Urban Māori Authority]], for financing his 2020 election campaign. Existing charities legislation bans charities from donating or endorsing political parties and candidates. Political parties and candidates are not allowed to use charities' resources. According to the Charities Register, Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust Group had provided NZ$385,307 in interest free loans to support Tamihere's 2020 election campaign while the National Urban Māori Authority had paid Tamihere NZ$82,695 to support his 2020 election campaign and Māori Party aspirations. In response, Tamihere accused the Charities Services of racism and confirmed that he and the Māori Party would challenge the Charities Service if the agency ruled against them.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McConnell |first1=Glenn |last2=Piper |first2=Denise |title=John Tamihere defends his charities' payments and loans to his political campaigns |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/130008768/john-tamihere-defends-his-charities-payments-and-loans-to-his-political-campaigns |access-date=29 September 2022 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928011602/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/130008768/john-tamihere-defends-his-charities-payments-and-loans-to-his-political-campaigns |archive-date=28 September 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dine |first1=Jonty |title=Te Pāti Māori president claims party 'demonised' by political donations investigation |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/475680/te-pati-maori-president-claims-party-demonised-by-political-donations-investigation |access-date=29 September 2022 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928071526/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/475680/te-pati-maori-president-claims-party-demonised-by-political-donations-investigation |archive-date=28 September 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tamihere |first1=John |title=Tamihere responds to NZ Herald allegations |url=https://waateanews.com/2022/09/28/john-tamihere-3/ |access-date=29 September 2022 |work=[[Waatea News]] |date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928040542/https://waateanews.com/2022/09/28/john-tamihere-3/ |archive-date=28 September 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

====National Party====
In late April 2021, the Electoral Commission issued the National Party with a warning for failing to declare a NZ$35,000 donation from real estate mogul [[Garth Barfoot]] but declined to refer the matter to the police.<ref>{{cite news |title=Electoral Commission gives National warning over late donation declaration from real estate mogul, but will not bring in police |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300287826/electoral-commission-gives-national-warning-over-late-donation-declaration-from-real-estate-mogul-but-will-not-bring-in-police |access-date=14 May 2021 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=28 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501102300/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300287826/electoral-commission-gives-national-warning-over-late-donation-declaration-from-real-estate-mogul-but-will-not-bring-in-police |archive-date=1 May 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Advance New Zealand====
Several [[Advance New Zealand]] candidates also faced fines for not filing campaign donations and expense returns. In late May 2021, [[Rangitīkei (New Zealand electorate)|Rangitīkei]] candidate Ricky Cribb pleaded guilty to two charges of violating the [[Electoral Act 1993]] and was fined $300 plus court costs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ellingham |first1=Jimmy |title=Advance NZ candidate admits failing to file election returns |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300321270/advance-nz-candidate-admits-failing-to-file-election-returns |access-date=19 July 2021 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=31 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720084817/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300321270/advance-nz-candidate-admits-failing-to-file-election-returns|archive-date=20 July 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mana (New Zealand electorate)|Mana]] candidate Edward James Ngatai Ponder pleaded guilty to violating the Electoral Act 1993 in mid June 2021 for failing to file an election expenses return to show that would have shown he had no expenses.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fine for Advance NZ candidate who did not file expense return |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/125474626/fine-for-advance-nz-candidate-who-did-not-file-expense-return? |access-date=19 July 2021 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=17 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719023924/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/125474626/fine-for-advance-nz-candidate-who-did-not-file-expense-return|archive-date=19 July 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> In early July, Advance NZ [[Invercargill (New Zealand electorate)|Invercargill]] candidate Kurt Rohloff had his Electoral Act charge for failing to declare election and donation returns dismissed after completing a diversion.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Blair |title=Invercargill Advance NZ candidate has Electoral Act charge dismissed |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/125662685/invercargill-advance-nz-candidate-has-electoral-act-charge-dismissed |access-date=19 July 2021 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=6 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720150912/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/125662685/invercargill-advance-nz-candidate-has-electoral-act-charge-dismissed|archive-date=20 July 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

Early July also saw another Invercargill candidate, independent Basil Walker, be charged with failing to file his return on time.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jamieson |first1=Debbie |title=Invercargill electoral candidate Basil Walker facing charge over expenses |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/125506257/invercargill-electoral-candidate-basil-walker-facing-charge-over-expenses |access-date=3 October 2021 |work=[[The Southland Times]] |publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009072032/https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/125506257/invercargill-electoral-candidate-basil-walker-facing-charge-over-expenses|archive-date=9 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Walker was offered a discharge without conviction if he completed 40 hours of community service, but he failed to do so, which he attributed to his workload. In September he agreed to plead guilty to the charge, received a conviction, and was fined $500.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jamieson |first1=Debbie |title=Invercargill candidate Basil Walker fined for not filing electoral returns |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/126504364/invercargill-candidate-basil-walker-fined-for-not-filing-electoral-returns |access-date=3 October 2021 |work=[[The Southland Times]] |publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009082917/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/126504364/invercargill-candidate-basil-walker-fined-for-not-filing-electoral-returns|archive-date=9 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2021, former Public Party leader and Advance NZ co-leader Billy Te Kahika was charged with filing a false electoral donation and obtaining $15,000 by deception.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300396557/man-accused-of-filing-false-electoral-donations-obtaining-by-deception?rm=a |title=Man accused of filing false electoral donations, obtaining by deception  |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=1 September 2021 |access-date=4 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003224934/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300396557/man-accused-of-filing-false-electoral-donations-obtaining-by-deception|archive-date=3 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Name suppression lapsed and he was identified in October 2021. Te Kahika has contested the charges and opted for a jury trial.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300422030/billy-te-kahika-faces-jury-trial-charged-with-filing-false-electoral-donations-and-obtaining-by-deception |title=Billy Te Kahika faces jury trial for filing false electoral donations and obtaining by deception |author=Cate Owen |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=4 October 2021 |access-date=4 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003224231/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300422030/billy-te-kahika-faces-jury-trial-charged-with-filing-false-electoral-donations-and-obtaining-by-deception|archive-date=3 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/billy-te-kahika-jr-to-have-jury-trial-for-fraud-electoral-act-charges/NYIIR5KZGAXB6VRO2QAEBWXRJI/ |title=Billy Te Kahika Jr to have jury trial for fraud, Electoral Act charges |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=3 October 2021 |access-date=4 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009103309/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/billy-te-kahika-jr-to-have-jury-trial-for-fraud-electoral-act-charges/NYIIR5KZGAXB6VRO2QAEBWXRJI/|archive-date=9 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Elections in New Zealand]]

== Footnotes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.elections.govt.nz/ Electoral Commission website]
*[http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/ Official election results website]
*[https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/428614/election-2020-special-votes-explained Election 2020: Special votes explained]

{{New Zealand elections}}
{{Electorates of New Zealand}}

[[Category:2020 New Zealand general election| ]]
[[Category:Elections postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic|New Zealand]]
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