View source for 2017 New Zealand general election

{{Short description|none}}
{{use New Zealand English|date=September 2017}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2017 New Zealand general election
| country = New Zealand
| type = parliamentary
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2014 New Zealand general election
| previous_year = 2014
| outgoing_members = 51st New Zealand Parliament
| election_date = 23 September 2017
| next_election = 2020 New Zealand general election
| next_year = 2020
| elected_members = 52nd 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 2017 New Zealand general election
| turnout = 2,630,173 (79.8%) {{increase}}1.9%
| 1blank = Electorate&nbsp;vote
| 3blank = Party vote

<!--National-->| image1 = {{CSS image crop|Image=Bill English July 2017.jpg|bSize=120|cWidth=120|cHeight=160|oTop=0|oLeft=0}}
| leader1 = [[Bill English]]
| party1 = New Zealand National Party
| leader_since1 = [[2016 New Zealand National Party leadership election|12 December 2016]]
| leaders_seat1 = [[Party-list proportional representation|List]]
| last_election1 = 60 seats, 47.04%
| seats_before1 = 59
| seats1 = '''56'''
| seat_change1 = {{decrease}}3
| 1data1 = '''1,114,367'''<br>'''44.05%'''<br>{{decrease}} 2.03 [[Percentage point|pp]]
| 3data1 = '''1,152,075'''<br>'''44.45%'''<br>{{decrease}} 2.59 pp

<!-- Labour -->| image2 = {{CSS image crop|Image=Jacinda Ardern, 2018.jpg|bSize=120|cWidth=120|cHeight=160|oTop=0|oLeft=0}}
| leader2 = [[Jacinda Ardern]]
| leader_since2 = [[2017 New Zealand Labour Party leadership election|1 August 2017]]
| party2 = New Zealand Labour Party
| leaders_seat2 = [[Mount Albert (New Zealand electorate)|Mount Albert]]
| last_election2 = 32 seats, 25.13%
| seats_before2 = 32
| seats2 = 46
| seat_change2 = {{increase}}14
| 1data2 = 958,155<br>37.88%<br>{{increase}} 3.75 pp
| 3data2 = 956,184<br>36.89%<br>{{increase}} 11.76 pp

<!-- NZ First-->| image3 = {{CSS image crop|Image=Winston Peters - 2017 (38351102806) (cropped).jpg|bSize=160|cWidth=120|cHeight=160|oTop=10|oLeft=27}}
| leader3 = [[Winston Peters]]
| leader_since3 = 18 July 1993
| party3 = New Zealand First
| leaders_seat3 = [[Party-list proportional representation|List]]<br />''(lost [[Northland (New Zealand electorate)|Northland]])''
| last_election3 = 11 seats, 8.66%
| seats_before3 = 12
| seats3 = 9
| seat_change3 = {{decrease}}3
| 1data3 = 137,816<br>5.45%<br>{{increase}} 2.32 pp
| 3data3 = 186,706<br>7.20%<br>{{decrease}} 1.46 pp

<!-- Green -->| image4 = {{CSS image crop|Image=James Shaw, 2014 (cropped).jpg|bSize=120|cWidth=120|cHeight=160|oTop=0|oLeft=0}}
| leader4 = [[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|James Shaw]]
| leader_since4 = [[2015 Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand male co-leadership election|30 May 2015]]
| party4 = Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
| leaders_seat4 = [[Party-list proportional representation|List]]
| last_election4 = 14 seats, 10.70%
| seats_before4 = 14
| seats4 = 8
| seat_change4 = {{decrease}}6
| 1data4 = 174,725<br>6.91%<br>{{decrease}} 0.15 pp
| 3data4 = 162,443<br>6.27%<br>{{decrease}}4.43 pp

<!-- ACT -->| image5 = {{CSS image crop|Image=David Seymour at ACT Selection Announcement for Leader and Epsom.jpg|bSize=290|cWidth=120|cHeight=160|oTop=5|oLeft=90}}
| leader5 = [[David Seymour]]
| leader_since5 = 4 October 2014
| party5 = ACT New Zealand
| leaders_seat5 = [[Epsom (New Zealand electorate)|Epsom]]
| last_election5 = 1 seat, 0.69%
| seats_before5 = 1
| seats5 = 1
| seat_change5 = {{steady}}0
| 1data5 = 25,471<br> 1.01%<br>{{decrease}} 0.17 pp
| 3data5 = 13,075<br>0.50%<br> {{decrease}} 0.19 pp

<!-- Māori -->| image6 = {{CSS image crop|Image=Marama Fox and Te Ururoa Flavell (cropped).png|bSize=120|cWidth=120|cHeight=160|oTop=0|oLeft=0}}
| leader6 = [[Marama Fox]]<br />[[Te Ururoa Flavell]]
| leader_since6 = October 2014<br />13 July 2013
| party6 = Māori Party
| leaders_seat6 = [[Party-list proportional representation|List]]<br />[[Waiariki (New Zealand electorate)|Waiariki]]<br />''(lost both seats)''
| last_election6 = 2 seats, 1.32%
| seats_before6 = 2
| seats6 = 0
| seat_change6 = {{decrease}}2
| 1data6 = 53,247<br>2.11%<br>{{increase}} 0.32 pp
| 3data6 = 30,580<br>1.18%<br>{{decrease}} 0.14 pp
| map_image = New Zealand 2017 Election Results Map - Results By Electorate, Māori Electorate, and Additional Member Seats.svg
| map_size = 450px
| map_caption = Results by electorate, shaded by winning margin
| title = [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Prime Minister]]
| before_election = [[Bill English]]
| before_party = New Zealand National Party
| posttitle = Subsequent Prime Minister
| after_election = [[Jacinda Ardern]]
| after_party = [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]]
}}
The '''2017 New Zealand general election''' took place on Saturday 23 September 2017 to determine the membership of the [[52nd New Zealand Parliament]]. The [[51st New Zealand Parliament|previous parliament]] was elected on 20 September 2014 and was officially dissolved on 22 August 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=Watch the dissolution of Parliament on Tuesday 22 August|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/features/watch-the-dissolution-of-parliament-on-tuesday-22-august/|date=15 August 2017|publisher=New Zealand Parliament|access-date=6 September 2017|archive-date=15 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815141632/https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/features/watch-the-dissolution-of-parliament-on-tuesday-22-august/|url-status=live}}</ref> Voters elected 120 members to the House of Representatives under New Zealand's [[Mixed-member proportional representation|mixed-member proportional]] (MMP) voting system, a [[proportional representation]] system in which 71 members were elected from single-member [[New Zealand electorates|electorates]] and 49 members were elected from [[closed list|closed]] [[party list]]s. Around 3.57 million people were registered to vote in the election,<ref>{{cite web |title= Enrolment statistics by electorate |url= http://www.elections.org.nz/research-statistics/enrolment-statistics-electorate |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission of New Zealand]] |access-date= 23 September 2017 |archive-date= 25 September 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140925003704/http://www.elections.org.nz/research-statistics/enrolment-statistics-electorate |url-status= live }}</ref> with 2.63 million (79.8%) turning out.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://electionresults.org.nz/electionresults_2017/statistics/party-votes-and-turnout-by-electorate.html |title=Party Votes and Turnout by Electorate |publisher=NZ Electoral Commission |access-date=27 February 2020 |archive-date=21 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121035850/https://electionresults.org.nz/electionresults_2017/statistics/party-votes-and-turnout-by-electorate.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[early voting|Advance voting]] proved popular, with 1.24 million votes cast before election day, more than the previous two elections combined.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/historical-events/2017-general-election/advance-voting-statistics-for-the-2017-general-election/ |title= Advance voting statistics for the 2017 General Election |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission of New Zealand]] |access-date= 18 April 2020 |archive-date= 5 February 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200205034900/https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/historical-events/2017-general-election/advance-voting-statistics-for-the-2017-general-election/ |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/advance-votes.html |title= Advance Part Vote Results |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission of New Zealand]] |access-date= 18 April 2020 |archive-date= 17 January 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200117212446/http://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/advance-votes.html |url-status= live }}</ref>

Prior to the election, the centre-right [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]], led by Prime Minister [[Bill English]], had [[Fifth National Government of New Zealand|governed since 2008]] in a [[minority government]] with [[confidence and supply]] from the [[Māori Party|Māori]], [[ACT New Zealand|ACT]] and [[United Future]] parties. It was the first election for English as incumbent prime minister, having replaced [[John Key]] on 12 December 2016 and the first since [[1975 New Zealand general election|1975]] where both major parties had leadership changes. The main opposition parties to the National government were [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]] (the [[Official Opposition (New Zealand)|official opposition]]), led by [[Jacinda Ardern]], the [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green Party]], and [[New Zealand First]].

The National Party won a [[Plurality (voting)|plurality]] of the seats with 56, down from 60 in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2017/sep/23/new-zealand-election-2017-results-jacinda-ardern-bill-english-live |title=NZ First's Winston Peters kingmaker in New Zealand hung parliament – as it happened |first1=Claire |last1=Phipps |first2=Eleanor Ainge |last2=Roy |date=23 September 2017 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=23 September 2017 |archive-date=23 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923061403/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2017/sep/23/new-zealand-election-2017-results-jacinda-ardern-bill-english-live |url-status=live }}</ref> Labour made large gains following Jacinda Ardern [[2017 New Zealand Labour Party leadership election|becoming the party leader]] seven weeks prior to the election, increasing its representation from 32 to 46 seats. Labour was the only parliamentary party to gain support but a large portion came at the expense of the Green Party, who lost almost half their seats (dropping from 14 to 8) following co-leader [[Metiria Turei]]'s resignation over self-admitted historical benefit and electoral fraud. The anti-immigration populist party New Zealand First won 9 seats, down from 12 in 2014. ACT retained its one seat. Election-night counts had National with 58 seats, Labour with 45 seats, and the Greens with 7 seats, but when [[special vote]]s were counted, National lost one list seat each to the Greens and Labour.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97651918/live-2017-election-results-revealed--including-384000-special-votes |title= 2017 election results revealed including 384000 special votes |publisher=Stuff (Fairfax) |date= 7 October 2017 |access-date= 16 June 2018 |archive-date= 17 June 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180617015624/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97651918/live-2017-election-results-revealed--including-384000-special-votes |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97654899/nicola-willis-says-dream-to-represent-national-in-parliament-not-over-yet |title= Nicola Willis says dream to represent-National in parliament not over yet |publisher=Stuff (Fairfax) |date= 7 October 2017 |access-date= 16 June 2018 |archive-date= 17 June 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180617042810/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97654899/nicola-willis-says-dream-to-represent-national-in-parliament-not-over-yet |url-status= live }}</ref>

The election saw five parties return to Parliament, down from seven in 2014 and the lowest number since the introduction of MMP in 1996. [[Māori Party]] co-leader [[Te Ururoa Flavell]] lost his seat of [[Waiariki (New Zealand electorate)|Waiariki]] and, with the party's vote count being below the [[electoral threshold|threshold]] of 5%, they also lost their list MP, co-leader [[Marama Fox]], and departed Parliament. [[United Future]] leader and sole MP [[Peter Dunne]] retired from politics during the campaign due to poor polling in his electorate of [[Ōhāriu]] and his successor failed to win the seat. The party voted to dissolve less than two months later.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://unitedfuture.org.nz/unitedfuture-proud-of-its-history-but-all-good-things-must-end/|title= UnitedFuture proud of {{as written|i|t's [sic]}} history, but all good things must end|publisher=[[Damian Light]]|access-date= 14 November 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171114040544/http://unitedfuture.org.nz/unitedfuture-proud-of-its-history-but-all-good-things-must-end/|archive-date= 14 November 2017|url-status= dead}}</ref>

Even with support partner ACT retaining its sole seat, the existing National minority government were short of the 61 seats needed to govern, and Bill English declared that the arrangement would not be continued.<ref name = StuffNZ-negotiations /> New Zealand First's nine seats gave it the [[Balance of power (parliament)|balance of power]] between the National Party and the Labour–Green bloc.<ref name = OfficialResults /><ref name = ABC-FinalTally /> On 19 October 2017, New Zealand First leader [[Winston Peters]] announced that the party was intending to form a minority coalition government with the Labour Party of 55 seats, with confidence and supply agreement from the Green Party.<ref>{{cite web |first= Jo |last= Moir |date= 19 October 2017 |title= Labour finally retake power after Winston Peters gives Jacinda Ardern his support |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97827871/labour-finally-retake-power-after-winston-peters-gives-jacinda-ardern-his-support |publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |access-date= 19 October 2017 |archive-date= 19 October 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171019170039/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97827871/labour-finally-retake-power-after-winston-peters-gives-jacinda-ardern-his-support |url-status= live }}</ref> This is the first Government in New Zealand under MMP where the most popular party is not part of the Government. The election resulted in Ardern becoming New Zealand's third female prime minister, and Peters being reappointed [[Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand|deputy prime minister]], a role he had first held in 1996–98. This marked an end to nine years under the [[Fifth National Government of New Zealand|Fifth National Government]], and the beginning of the [[Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand]].

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

New Zealand uses the [[mixed-member proportional]] (MMP) voting system to elect the 120-member 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 which 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. In the 2014 and 2017 elections, 71 of the 120 seats were filled by the MPs elected from the [[New Zealand electorates|electorates]], with the winner in each electorate determined by the [[plurality vote|plurality]] ("[[first-past-the-post]]") method; the remaining 49 seats were filled by candidates from each party's closed [[party list]]. 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. The 2014 election saw a one-seat overhang where [[Peter Dunne]] won the [[Ōhāriu]] electorate when his [[United Future New Zealand|United Future Party]] was entitled to zero seats under the party vote.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newman |first1=Frank |title=Election 2014 – the winners and losers |url=https://www.nzcpr.com/election-2014-the-winners-and-losers/ |website=www.nzcpr.com |access-date=29 March 2021 |quote=an overhang of one as a result of Peter Dunne winning Ohariu but his party United Future gaining just 0.22 percent of the vote. |archive-date=26 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226185258/https://www.nzcpr.com/election-2014-the-winners-and-losers/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The majority of members in the House will form a [[New Zealand Government|Government]]. Since it is difficult for any single party to win a [[majority government|majority]] of seats under MMP, parties must generally negotiate with other parties either to form a majority [[coalition government]] or to obtain sufficient [[confidence and supply]] to operate as a [[minority government]].<ref>{{cite web |title=New Zealand election ends in stalemate |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-41357870 |website=BBC News |access-date=29 March 2021 |date=23 September 2017 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112012556/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-41357870 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Electorate boundaries in the 2017 election were the same as at the 2014 election, with 64 general electorates (48 in the [[North Island]] and 16 in the [[South Island]]), and 7 Māori electorates.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

===Electoral law changes===
The Electoral Amendment Act 2017 and the Broadcasting (Election Programmes and Election Advertising) Amendment Act 2017 made a number of changes to the conduct of general elections, including:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/00DBHOH_BILL71058_1/electoral-amendment-bill |title=Electoral Amendment Bill – New Zealand Parliament |publisher=Parliament.nz |access-date=19 February 2017 |archive-date=19 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219184839/https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/00DBHOH_BILL71058_1/electoral-amendment-bill |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/00DBHOH_BILL71456_1/broadcasting-election-programmes-and-election-advertising |title=Broadcasting (Election Programmes and Election Advertising) Amendment Bill – New Zealand Parliament |publisher=Parliament.nz |access-date=19 February 2017 |archive-date=19 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219184835/https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/00DBHOH_BILL71456_1/broadcasting-election-programmes-and-election-advertising |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Voters no longer have to complete and sign a new enrolment form if they are already enrolled and notify of a change of address, for example, through [[New Zealand Post]]'s mail redirection service.
* The Electoral Commission no longer is required to send out nominations and polling place information to every voter by post; instead the Commission may use its discretion on how to advertise nominations and polling places.
* Polling booths may now use electronic electoral rolls to mark off voters.
* Counting of advance votes may now start earlier at 9:00&nbsp;am (previously 2:00&nbsp;pm), to take into account the increase in people voting in advance.
* The contact information of sitting MPs, such as business cards and signage on out-of-Parliament offices, has been clarified as not constituting election advertising.
* Election advertising is now legally prohibited in or near advance polling booths.
* Election hoardings may now be erected nine weeks before the election (previously two months), so the first day always falls on a Saturday.
* Parties are no longer allocated free airtime on [[Radio New Zealand]] and [[Television New Zealand]] to broadcast opening and closing addresses.

===Eligibility to vote===
To vote in the general election, one must:
* be on the [[electoral roll]]
* be aged 18 or over on election day (i.e. born on or before 23 September 1999)
* be a [[New Zealand citizen]], [[New Zealand permanent residency|permanent resident]], residence visa holder, an Australian citizen or other person entitled to reside in New Zealand indefinitely.
* have lived in New Zealand for one year or more continuously at some point
* have been in New Zealand within the last 3 years (for New Zealand citizens) or 1 year (non-New Zealand citizens); public servants and [[New Zealand Defence Force|Defence Force]] personnel on duty outside New Zealand, including their partners and children, are not subject to this rule.
* not be expressly disqualified from enrolling or voting (e.g., serving a sentence of imprisonment; convicted of a corrupt election practice).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.org.nz/voters/enrol-check-or-update-now/who-can-and-cant-enrol |title=Who can and can't enrol? |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=4 May 2017 |archive-date=7 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507111831/http://www.elections.org.nz/voters/enrol-check-or-update-now/who-can-and-cant-enrol |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Election schedule==
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. The previous election was held on Saturday, 20 September 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Zealand Election Results|url=http://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/|publisher=Electoral Commission|access-date=21 September 2014|archive-date=22 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922052111/http://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Governor-General of New Zealand|Governor-General]] must issue [[writ of election|writs]] for an election within seven days of the expiration or dissolution of the [[51st New Zealand Parliament|current Parliament]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.co.nz/act/public/1993/0087/latest/DLM309425.html#DLM309425 |title=Electoral Act 1993, Sec. 125 |publisher=Legislation.co.nz |date=17 August 2011 |access-date=5 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928000658/http://www.legislation.co.nz/act/public/1993/0087/latest/DLM309425.html#DLM309425 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> 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 2014 election were returned on 10 October 2014, a day late due to a judicial recount of the Te Tai Tokerau electorate.<ref name="2014 key dates">{{cite web |url= http://www.elections.org.nz/events/2014-general-election/voting-2014-all-you-need-know/general-election-key-dates |title= General election key dates |publisher=Electoral Commission (New Zealand) |access-date= 24 August 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140826120025/http://www.elections.org.nz/events/2014-general-election/voting-2014-all-you-need-know/general-election-key-dates |archive-date= 26 August 2014 |url-status= dead }}</ref> As a result, the 51st Parliament would have expired, if not dissolved earlier, on Tuesday, 10 October 2017. Consequently, the last day for issuance of writs of election would have been 17 October 2017. The writs must be returned within 50 days of their issuance (save for any judicial recount or death of a candidate), which would have been Wednesday, 6 December 2017.<ref name="sec139">{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.co.nz/act/public/1993/0087/latest/DLM309482.html#DLM309482 |title=Electoral Act 1993, Sec. 139 |publisher=Legislation.co.nz |date=17 August 2011 |access-date=5 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114123024/http://www.legislation.co.nz/act/public/1993/0087/latest/DLM309482.html#DLM309482 |archive-date=14 January 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Because polling day must be a Saturday<ref name="sec139"/> and two weeks is generally required for the counting of special votes, the last possible date for the 2017 general election would have been Saturday, 18 November 2017.

On 1 February 2017, Prime Minister [[Bill English]] announced that the election would be held on Saturday 23 September 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/88953234/live-prime-minister-bill-english-unveils-date-for-2017-general-election |title=Live: Prime Minister Bill English unveils date for 2017 general election |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |date=1 February 2017 |access-date=1 February 2017 |archive-date=10 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810093138/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/88953234/live-prime-minister-bill-english-unveils-date-for-2017-general-election |url-status=live }}</ref> This was the first election since [[1975 New Zealand general election|1975]] that both major parties, Labour and National, contested under new leadership.

Key dates relating to the general election were as follows.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.elections.org.nz/events/2017-general-election/2017-general-election-timetable |title= 2017 General Election timetable |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date= 3 May 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170501201242/http://www.elections.org.nz/events/2017-general-election/2017-general-election-timetable |archive-date= 1 May 2017 |url-status= dead }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| 1 February 2017 (Wednesday) || Prime Minister Bill English announces election to be held on 23 September.
|-
| 23 June 2017 (Friday) || The regulated election advertising period begins.
|-
| 22 July 2017 (Saturday) || Election hoardings may be erected (subject to local council rules).
|-
| 17 August 2017 (Wednesday) || Last sitting day for the 51st Parliament.
|-
| 22 August 2017 (Tuesday) || The 51st Parliament is dissolved with a short ceremony on the steps of Parliament House.<ref>{{cite news|title= Watch the dissolution of Parliament on Tuesday 22 August|url= https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/features/watch-the-dissolution-of-parliament-on-tuesday-22-august/|date= 15 August 2017|publisher=New Zealand Parliament|access-date= 15 August 2017|archive-date= 15 August 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170815141632/https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/features/watch-the-dissolution-of-parliament-on-tuesday-22-august/|url-status= live}}</ref>
|-
| 23 August 2017 (Wednesday) || '''Writ day''' – Governor-General issues formal direction to the [[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|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.
|-
| 28 August 2017 (Monday) || Deadline (12:00) for registered parties to lodge bulk nominations of candidates and party lists.<ref name="Party Secretary Handbook" />
|-
| 29 August 2017 (Tuesday) || Deadline (12:00) for individual candidates to lodge nominations.<ref name="Party Secretary Handbook">{{cite web |title=Party Secretary Handbook: General Election |url=http://www.elections.org.nz/sites/default/files/plain-page/attachments/party_secretary_handbook_-_general_election_2017.pdf |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] |access-date=22 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821043640/http://www.elections.org.nz/sites/default/files/plain-page/attachments/party_secretary_handbook_-_general_election_2017.pdf |archive-date=21 August 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| 30 August 2017 (Wednesday) || Details of candidates for election and polling places released.
|-
| 6 September 2017 (Wednesday) || Overseas voting begins.
|-
| 11 September 2017 (Monday) || Advance voting begins.
|-
| 22 September 2017 (Friday) || Advance voting ends; overseas voting ends at 16:00 local time. <br />Last day to enrol to vote.<br />The regulated election advertising period ends; all election advertising must be taken down by midnight.
|-
| 23 September 2017 (Saturday) || '''Election day''' – polling places open 09:00 to 19:00. <br />Preliminary results released progressively after 19:00.
|-
| 7 October 2017 (Saturday) || '''Official results declared.'''
|-
| 12 October 2017 (Thursday) || Writ for election returned; official declaration of elected members (subject to judicial recounts).
|}

==Parties and candidates==
{{Further|Candidates in the New Zealand general election 2017 by electorate|Party lists in the 2017 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>Section 63, Electoral Act 1993</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.

The following registered parties contested the general election:<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.elections.org.nz/parties-candidates/registered-political-parties-0/register-political-parties |title= Register of Political Parties |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date= 25 August 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130829210149/http://www.elections.org.nz/parties-candidates/registered-political-parties-0/register-political-parties |archive-date= 29 August 2013 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Party
! rowspan="2"| Leader(s)
! rowspan="2"| Founded
! rowspan="2"| Ideology
! colspan="2"| 2014 election
|-
! % party vote
! Seats
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}} || [[Bill English]] || 1936 ||[[Conservatism]], [[classical liberalism]]|| style="text-align:right;" | 47.04 || style="text-align:right;"| 60
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand Labour Party}} || [[Jacinda Ardern]] || 1916 ||[[Social democracy]]|| style="text-align:right;" | 25.13 || style="text-align:right;"| 32
|-
|{{party name with color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}} || [[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|James Shaw]] || 1990 ||[[Green politics]]|| style="text-align:right;" | 10.70 || style="text-align:right;"| 14
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand First}} || [[Winston Peters]] || 1993 ||[[Conservatism]], [[nationalism]], [[populism]]|| style="text-align:right;" | 8.66 || style="text-align:right;"| 11
|-
|{{party name with color|Māori Party}} || [[Te Ururoa Flavell]]/[[Marama Fox]]|| 2004 ||[[Indigenous rights]]|| style="text-align:right;" | 1.32 || style="text-align:right;"| 2
|-
|{{party name with color|ACT New Zealand}} || [[David Seymour]] || 1994 ||[[Classical liberalism]], [[right-libertarianism]]|| style="text-align:right;" | 0.69 || style="text-align:right;"| 1
|-
|{{party name with color|United Future}} || [[Damian Light]] || 2000 ||[[Social liberalism]], [[centrism]]|| style="text-align:right;" | 0.22 || style="text-align:right;"| 1
|-
|{{party name with color|Conservative Party (New Zealand)}} || [[Leighton Baker]] || 2011 ||[[Conservatism]], [[fiscal conservatism]], [[social conservatism]]|| style="text-align:right;" | 3.99 || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
|{{party name with color|Internet Party (New Zealand)}} || Suzie Dawson || 2014 ||[[Collaborative e-democracy]], [[Internet freedom]], [[privacy]], [[copyright reform]]|| style="text-align:right;" | 1.42 || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
|{{party name with color|Mana Party (New Zealand)}} || [[Hone Harawira]] || 2011 ||[[Tino rangatiratanga]], [[Māori rights]]|| style="text-align:right;" | 1.42 || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
|{{party name with color|Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party}} || Jeff Lye || 1996 ||[[Cannabis legalisation]]|| style="text-align:right;" | 0.46 || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
|{{party name with color|Ban 1080 Party}} || Mike Downard/Bill Wallace || 2014 ||[[1080 poison|Opposition to 1080 poison]]|| style="text-align:right;" | 0.21 || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand Democratic Party for Social Credit}} || [[Stephnie de Ruyter]] || 1985 ||[[Social credit]], [[economic democracy]], [[left-wing nationalism]]|| style="text-align:right;" | 0.07 || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
|{{party name with color|The Opportunities Party}} || [[Gareth Morgan (economist)|Gareth Morgan]] || 2016 ||[[Radical centrism]], [[environmentalism]]|| style="text-align:right;" |''not founded'' || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand Outdoors Party}} || David Haynes/Alan Simmons || 2015 ||[[Environmentalism]]|| style="text-align:right;" |''not founded'' || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand People's Party}} || Roshan Nauhria || 2015 ||[[Minority rights]], [[cultural rights]]|| style="text-align:right;" |''not founded'' || style="text-align:right;"| –
|}

===MPs who did not stand for re-election===
Twenty-two members of parliament announced that they would not stand for re-election.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!scope="col"| Name
!scope="col" colspan=2|Party
!scope="col"| Electorate/[[List MP|List]]
!scope="col"| Term in office
!scope="col"| Date announced
|-
| [[Todd Barclay]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
|[[Clutha-Southland (New Zealand electorate)|Clutha-Southland]]
|2014–2017
| {{dts|21 June 2017}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/93908848/backbench-mps-stand-by-barclay-ministers-less-solid |title=Damage control as MP Todd Barclay stands down at September election |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |author=Henry Cooke |author2=Jo Moir |author3=Tracy Watkins |date=21 June 2017 |access-date=21 June 2017 |archive-date=4 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904065759/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/93908848/backbench-mps-stand-by-barclay-ministers-less-solid |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Chester Borrows]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
|[[Whanganui (New Zealand electorate)|Whanganui]]
|2005–2017
| {{dts|29 November 2016}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Jo |last=Moir |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/86974130/National-MP-Chester-Borrows-wishes-he-spoke-out-more-as-12-years-in-politics-ends?cid=app-iPad |title=In hindsight National's Chester Borrows says he "could have had more fights" as an MP |date=29 November 2016 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |access-date=29 November 2016 |archive-date=18 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918022051/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/86974130/National-MP-Chester-Borrows-wishes-he-spoke-out-more-as-12-years-in-politics-ends?cid=app-iPad |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Steffan Browning]]
| {{party name with color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}
| ''List''
| 2011–2017
| {{dts|15 December 2016}}<ref name="Greens">{{cite web |url= https://www.greens.org.nz/news/press-release/green-party-mps-catherine-delahunty-and-steffan-browning-not-seeking-re-election |title= Green Party MPS Catherine Delahunty and Steffan Browning not seeking re-election |publisher=Green Party |date= 15 December 2016 |access-date= 14 December 2016 |archive-date= 20 December 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161220211545/https://www.greens.org.nz/news/press-release/green-party-mps-catherine-delahunty-and-steffan-browning-not-seeking-re-election |url-status= live }}</ref>
|-
| [[David Clendon]]
| {{party name with color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}
| ''List''
| 2009–2017
| {{dts|7 August 2017}}<ref name="Green MPs quit">{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11899846 |title=Green MPs quit in protest over Metiria Turei |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=7 August 2017 |access-date=7 August 2017 |archive-date=7 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807113441/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11899846 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Clayton Cosgrove]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand Labour Party}}
|''List''
|1999–2017
|{{dts|10 April 2016}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11620032|title=Labour MP Cosgrove won't stand again|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=10 April 2016|access-date=10 April 2016|archive-date=10 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410125250/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11620032|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[David Cunliffe]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand Labour Party}}
|[[New Lynn (New Zealand electorate)|New Lynn]]
|1999–2017
| {{dts|1 November 2016}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11739785 |title=David Cunliffe to retire from politics |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=1 November 2016 |access-date=8 December 2016 |archive-date=1 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101121145/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11739785 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Catherine Delahunty]]
| {{party name with color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}
| ''List''
| 2008–2017
| {{dts|15 December 2016}}<ref name="Greens"/>
|-
| [[Peter Dunne]]
| {{party name with color|United Future}}
| [[Ōhāriu (New Zealand electorate)|Ōhāriu]]
| 1984–2017
| {{dts|21 August 2017}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/337663/dunne-s-done-united-future-leader-to-quit-parliament |title=Dunne's done: United Future leader to quit Parliament |publisher=radionz.co.nz |date=21 August 2017 |access-date=21 August 2017 |archive-date=21 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821050514/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/337663/dunne-s-done-united-future-leader-to-quit-parliament |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Craig Foss]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
|[[Tukituki (New Zealand electorate)|Tukituki]]
|2005–2017
| {{dts|14 December 2016}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/87562998/craig-foss-to-step-down-from-cabinet-as-calls-for-rejuvenation-claim-another-victim |title=Craig Foss to step down from Cabinet as calls for rejuvenation claim another victim |date=14 December 2016 |author=Stacey Kirk |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |access-date=14 December 2016 |archive-date=14 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214211023/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/87562998/craig-foss-to-step-down-from-cabinet-as-calls-for-rejuvenation-claim-another-victim |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Paul Foster-Bell]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
|''List''
|2013–2017
| {{dts|26 February 2017}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/89820062/national-mp-paul-fosterbell-to-stand-down-at-electionm |title=National MP Paul Foster-Bell to stand down at election |date=26 February 2017 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |access-date=26 February 2017 |archive-date=18 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918095716/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/89820062/national-mp-paul-fosterbell-to-stand-down-at-electionm |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Jo Goodhew]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
|{{NZ electorate link|Rangitata}}
|2005–2017
| {{dts|25 January 2017}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11788707|title=National MP Jo Goodhew quits after being dumped from Cabinet|date=25 January 2017|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|access-date=25 January 2017|archive-date=25 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125050107/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11788707|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Kennedy Graham]]
| {{party name with color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}
| ''List''
| 2008–2017
| {{dts|7 August 2017}}<ref name="Green MPs quit"/>
|-
| [[John Key]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
|[[Helensville (New Zealand electorate)|Helensville]]
|2002–2017
| {{dts|5 December 2016}}<ref>{{cite news|last1=Young|first1=Audrey|title=John Key set to leave Parliament next week|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11818262|access-date=4 September 2017|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=14 March 2017|archive-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904063652/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11818262|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Annette King]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand Labour Party}}
| [[Rongotai (New Zealand electorate)|Rongotai]]
| 1984–1990; 1993–2017
| {{dts|1 March 2017}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/89918911/labour-deputy-annette-king-to-stand-down-and-leave-politics-at-election |title=Labour deputy Annette King to stand down and leave politics at election |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |author=Vernon Small |date=1 March 2017 |access-date=1 March 2017 |archive-date=1 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301125746/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/89918911/labour-deputy-annette-king-to-stand-down-and-leave-politics-at-election |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Sam Lotu-Iiga]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
|[[Maungakiekie (New Zealand electorate)|Maungakiekie]]
|2008–2017
|{{dts|13 December 2016}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/87202756/New-Zealand-Government-makes-major-announcement |title=Former Corrections Minister Sam Lotu-Iiga won't run in the election next year |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |author=Jo Moir |date=13 December 2016 |access-date=13 December 2016 |archive-date=14 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214084619/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/87202756/new-zealand-government-makes-major-announcement |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Murray McCully]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
|[[East Coast Bays (New Zealand electorate)|East Coast Bays]]
|1987–2017
| {{dts|15 December 2016}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/87611521/murray-mccully-quitting-politics |title=Murray McCully quitting politics |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |date=15 December 2016 |access-date=15 December 2016 |archive-date=4 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904062017/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/87611521/murray-mccully-quitting-politics |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Sue Moroney]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand Labour Party}}
| ''List''
|2005–2017
| {{dts|30 April 2017}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/92061647/labour-mp-sue-moroney-to-step-down-at-2017-election |title=Labour MP Sue Moroney to step down at 2017 election |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |date=30 April 2017 |access-date=30 April 2017 |archive-date=30 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630061956/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/92061647/labour-mp-sue-moroney-to-step-down-at-2017-election |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Jono Naylor]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
|''List''
|2014–2017
| {{dts|3 November 2016}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/86055660/palmerston-north-mp-jono-naylor-quitting-politics-after-one-term |title=Palmerston North MP Jono Naylor quitting politics after one term |first=Jono |last=Galuszka |date=3 November 2016 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |access-date=3 November 2016 |archive-date=18 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918095714/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/86055660/palmerston-north-mp-jono-naylor-quitting-politics-after-one-term |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Hekia Parata]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
|''List''
|2008–2017
| {{dts|19 October 2016}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11731848 |title=Education minister Hekia Parata will not contest next general election |first=Nicholas |last=Jones |date=19 October 2016 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=19 October 2016 |archive-date=19 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019152847/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11731848 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Barbara Stewart (politician)|Barbara Stewart]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand First}}
|''List''
|2002–2008; 2011–2017
| {{dts|7 March 2017}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/90158880/nz-first-mp-barbara-stewarts-husbands-death-has-prompted-her-decision-to-leave-parliament|title=NZ First MP Barbara Stewart's husband's death has prompted her decision to leave Parliament|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|date=7 March 2017|access-date=7 March 2017|archive-date=24 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324090955/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/90158880/nz-first-mp-barbara-stewarts-husbands-death-has-prompted-her-decision-to-leave-parliament|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Lindsay Tisch]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
|[[Waikato (New Zealand electorate)|Waikato]]
|1999–2017
| {{dts|20 June 2016}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/81167337/mp-lindsay-tisch-not-to-seek-reelection | title=MP Lindsay Tisch not to seek re-election | website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] | publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] | date=20 June 2016 | access-date=20 June 2016 | archive-date=4 September 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904022138/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/81167337/mp-lindsay-tisch-not-to-seek-reelection | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Maurice Williamson]]
| {{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}}
|[[Pakuranga (New Zealand electorate)|Pakuranga]]
|1987–2017
| {{dts|26 July 2016}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11681442 |title=National and Pakuranga MP Maurice Williamson to leave Parliament |first=Nicholas |last=Jones |date=26 July 2016 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=26 July 2016 |archive-date=26 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160726153701/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11681442 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}

=== Electorate-only or list-only MPs ===
* [[Bill English]], [[Steven Joyce]], [[David Carter (politician)|David Carter]], and [[Jian Yang (politician)|Jian Yang]] of [[New Zealand National Party|National]] stood as list-only candidates (as in 2014).<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.national.org.nz/national_releases_2017_party_list |title= National releases 2017 Party List |publisher=National Party |date= 30 July 2017 |access-date= 7 August 2017 |archive-date= 30 July 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170730065618/https://www.national.org.nz/national_releases_2017_party_list |url-status= live }}</ref>
* [[Andrew Little (New Zealand politician)|Andrew Little]] announced in January 2017 that he would not contest [[New Plymouth (New Zealand electorate)|New Plymouth]], but would run as a list-only candidate.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/88504280/Andrew-Little-will-not-stand-for-New-Plymouth-MP-seat-after-two-defeats |title= Andrew Little will not stand for New Plymouth MP seat after two defeats |website= [[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |date= 17 January 2017 |access-date= 5 July 2017 |archive-date= 18 September 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170918094207/http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/88504280/Andrew-Little-will-not-stand-for-New-Plymouth-MP-seat-after-two-defeats |url-status= live }}</ref>
* [[Trevor Mallard]] announced in July 2016 that he would not contest [[Hutt South]], but run as a list-only candidate, with the intention of becoming [[Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/82433937/labour-mp-trevor-mallard-vacates-hutt-south-electorate-to-apply-for-speaker-position |title=Labour MP Trevor Mallard vacates Hutt South electorate to apply for Speaker position |first=Nicholas |last=Boyack |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |date=25 July 2016 |access-date=25 July 2016 |archive-date=24 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924045801/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/82433937/labour-mp-trevor-mallard-vacates-hutt-south-electorate-to-apply-for-speaker-position |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Labour announced in March 2017 that the party's six incumbent Maori electorate MPs would not contest the party list but would run as electorate-only candidates, in a challenge to the Māori Party, and to increase the number of Maori MPs in the Labour caucus.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/90672228/labours-maori-mps-opt-to-go-electorate-only-and-not-seek-list-places |title= Labour's Māori-MPs opt to go electorate only and not seek list places |website= [[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |date= 21 March 2016 |access-date= 15 May 2017 |archive-date= 9 August 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170809174613/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/90672228/labours-maori-mps-opt-to-go-electorate-only-and-not-seek-list-places |url-status= live }}</ref> After the August 2017 leadership change, it was announced that new deputy leader and Te Tai Tokerau MP [[Kelvin Davis (politician)|Kelvin Davis]] would now contend the party list, as required by the constitution of the party.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/fortnight-replace-old-election-billboards |title=Fortnight to replace old election billboards |date=3 August 2017 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |access-date=13 August 2017 |archive-date=13 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813111721/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/fortnight-replace-old-election-billboards |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Metiria Turei]] stepped down as co-leader of the Green Party and after announcing that she would retire from politics at the election, withdrew her name from the party list.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/metiria-turei-resigns-as-green-co-leader.html|access-date=23 August 2017|title=Metiria Turei resigns as Green co-leader|date=9 August 2017|work=Newshub|archive-date=23 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823120529/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/metiria-turei-resigns-as-green-co-leader.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She appeared in the list of candidates for the [[Te Tai Tonga]] electorate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.org.nz/events/2017-general-election/electorate-info/information-voters-te-tai-tonga#candidates|access-date=29 September 2017|title=Information for voters in Te Tai Tonga|publisher=Electoral Commission – elections.org.nz|archive-date=30 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930084039/http://www.elections.org.nz/events/2017-general-election/electorate-info/information-voters-te-tai-tonga#candidates|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Results==
{{further|Results of the 2017 New Zealand general election}}
Preliminary results were gradually released after polling booths closed at 19:00 ([[New Zealand Standard Time|NZST]]) on 23 September. The preliminary count only includes advance ordinary and election day ordinary votes; it does not include any [[special vote]]s. Special votes include votes from those who enrolled after the deadline of 23 August, those who voted outside their electorate (this includes all overseas votes), hospital votes, and those voters enrolled on the unpublished roll.<ref name = PreliminaryResults />

All voting papers, counterfoils and electoral rolls are returned to the electorate's returning officer for a mandatory recount; this also includes approving and counting any special votes, and compiling a master roll to ensure no voter has voted more than once. Official results, including all recounted ordinary votes and special votes, were released by the [[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] on Saturday 7 October 2017.<ref name = OfficialResults />

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>Sections 190 and 191, Electoral Act 1993</ref> and may delay the return of the election writ by a few days.
{{Pie chart
| thumb = right
| caption = '''Party vote percentage'''
| other = yes
| label1 =[[New Zealand National Party|National]]
| value1 = 44.45
| color1 ={{party color|New Zealand National Party}}
| label2 =[[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]]
| value2 = 36.89
| color2 = {{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}
| label3 =[[New Zealand First|NZ First]]
| value3 = 7.20
| color3 = {{party color|New Zealand First}}
| label4 =[[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green]]
| value4 = 6.27
| color4 = {{party color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}
| label5 =[[The Opportunities Party|Opportunities]]
| value5 = 2.44
| color5 = {{party color|The Opportunities Party}}
| label6 =[[Māori Party|Māori]]
| value6 = 1.18
| color6 = {{party color|Māori Party}}
| label7 =[[ACT New Zealand|ACT]]
| value7 = 0.50
| color7 = {{party color|ACT New Zealand}}
| label8 =[[Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party|Legalise Cannabis]]
| value8 = 0.31
| color8 = {{party color|Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party}}
| label9 =[[Conservative Party (New Zealand)|Conservative]]
| value9 = 0.24
| color9 = {{party color|Conservative Party (New Zealand)}}
}}
[[File:New Zealand Parliament Lab-NZF coalition seating plan, 2017.svg|thumb|The [[New Zealand House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] after the election, showing the resulting kingmaker position held by [[New Zealand First|NZ First]].]]
[[File:New Zealand party vote map, 2017.svg|thumb|300px|Highest polling party in each electorate.]]
{{#section:Results of the 2017 New Zealand general election|Results}}
{{bar box
| title=Constituency Vote
| titlebar=#ddd
| width=600px
| barwidth=410px
| bars=
{{bar percent|'''National'''|{{party color|New Zealand National Party}}|44.05}}
{{bar percent|Labour|{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}|37.88}}
{{bar percent|Green|{{party color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}|6.91}}
{{bar percent|NZ First|{{party color|New Zealand First}}|5.45}}
{{bar percent|Māori|{{party color|Māori Party}}|2.11}}
{{bar percent|Opportunities|{{party color|The Opportunities Party}}|1.03}}
{{bar percent|ACT|{{party color|ACT New Zealand}}|1.01}}
{{bar percent|Others|#777777|1.56}}
}}
{{bar box
| title=Party vote
| titlebar=#ddd
| width=600px
| barwidth=410px
| bars=
{{bar percent|'''National'''|{{party color|New Zealand National Party}}|44.45}}
{{bar percent|Labour|{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}|36.89}}
{{bar percent|NZ First|{{party color|New Zealand First}}|7.20}}
{{bar percent|Green|{{party color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}|6.27}}
{{bar percent|Opportunities|{{party color|The Opportunities Party}}|2.24}}
{{bar percent|Māori|{{party color|Māori Party}}|1.18}}
{{bar percent|ACT|{{party color|ACT New Zealand}}|0.50}}
{{bar percent|Others|#777777|1.07}}
}}
{{bar box
| title=Parliament seats
| titlebar=#ddd
| width=600px
| barwidth=410px
| bars=
{{bar percent|'''National'''|{{party color|New Zealand National Party}}|46.67}}
{{bar percent|Labour|{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}|38.33}}
{{bar percent|NZ First|{{party color|New Zealand First}}|7.50}}
{{bar percent|Green|{{party color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}|6.67}}
{{bar percent|ACT|{{party color|ACT New Zealand}}|0.83}}
}}

===Electorate results===
[[File:New Zealand electorates, 2017.svg|thumb|right|300px|Party affiliation of winning electorate candidates.]]

Prior to the election, the National Party held the majority of the electorate seats with 40. Labour held 27 seats, and NZ First, ACT, and United Future held one seat each. Between the 2014 and 2017 elections, one seat changed allegiance: in the [[2015 Northland by-election]], NZ First leader Winston Peters won the seat off National, after MP [[Mike Sabin]] resigned.

Fifty-five electorates saw the incumbent MP re-elected, while another 11 saw a new MP elected from the same party as the retiring incumbent.

In three electorates, the incumbent MP was defeated. Labour candidate and lawyer [[Duncan Webb]] claimed [[Christchurch Central (New Zealand electorate)|Christchurch Central]] off National MP [[Nicky Wagner]]; Labour previously held the electorate continuously from its formation in 1946 until Wagner won it in 2011. After National lost [[Northland (New Zealand electorate)|Northland]] to NZ First leader Winston Peters in 2015, candidate [[Matt King (politician)|Matt King]] claimed the electorate back for National from Peters. Labour candidate and former television presenter [[Tāmati Coffey]] claimed [[Waiariki (New Zealand electorate)|Waiariki]] off Māori Party MP [[Te Ururoa Flavell]]; Flavell's defeat saw the Māori Party without an electorate seat and with the party polling below 5% in the party vote, saw the party voted out of Parliament. Coffey's win also saw Labour claim a clean sweep of the Māori electorates for the first time since the 2002 election.

In [[Hutt South]], National list MP [[Chris Bishop (politician)|Chris Bishop]] claimed the electorate from Labour – the first time the electorate has swung since its creation in 1996. Contributing to the swing was the 2014 boundary changes which saw the Labour-leaning suburb of [[Naenae]] swapped for the National-leaning western hill suburbs of [[Lower Hutt]], and long standing Labour MP [[Trevor Mallard]] standing down at the election to contest the party list only. In [[Ōhāriu]], incumbent United Future MP [[Peter Dunne]] stepped down after holding the electorate in various incarnations since 1984. Labour candidate and former police officer [[Greg O'Connor (politician)|Greg O'Connor]] subsequently claimed the electorate.

Overall, National gained one electorate to hold 41, Labour gained two electorates to hold 29, while ACT retained its one electorate seat.

[[Hamilton West (New Zealand electorate)|Hamilton West]] was considered to be New Zealand's [[bellwether]] seat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/94592380/new-face-ready-to-swing-hamilton-west|title=New face ready to swing Hamilton West|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|date=11 July 2017|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|access-date=25 August 2017|archive-date=26 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826041927/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/94592380/New-face-ready-to-swing-Hamilton-West|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.nzherald.co.nz/hamilton-news/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503366&objectid=11850653|title=Labour MP Sue Moroney pulls out of election|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|access-date=25 August 2017|archive-date=26 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826031353/http://www2.nzherald.co.nz/hamilton-news/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503366&objectid=11850653|url-status=live}}</ref> Since the formation of the electorate in 1969, the winning candidate was from the party that went on to form the government, with the exception of 1993 when it elected a Labour MP while National went on to form the government (albeit with a one-seat majority). Hamilton West, [[Maungakiekie (New Zealand electorate)|Maungakiekie]] and [[Rotorua (New Zealand electorate)|Rotorua]] were also regarded as bellwethers in the MMP era, swinging with the government at every election since 1996. All three electorates in the 2017 election were won by National candidates.

{{#section:Results of the 2017 New Zealand general election|Results by electorate}}

===List results===
{{Main|Party lists in the 2017 New Zealand general election}}

The following MPs were elected from their respective party lists:

{| class= "wikitable sortable"
|-
| '''[[New Zealand National Party|National]]'''
| '''[[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]]'''
| '''[[New Zealand First|NZ First]]'''
| '''[[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green]]'''
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|New Zealand National Party}}|
| bgcolor={{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}|
| bgcolor={{party color|New Zealand First}}|
| bgcolor={{party color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}|
|- valign="top"
| [[Bill English]] (01)<br />[[David Carter (politician)|David Carter]] (03)<br />[[Steven Joyce]] (04)<br />[[Chris Finlayson]] (09)<br />[[Michael Woodhouse]] (10)<br />[[Paul Goldsmith (politician)|Paul Goldsmith]] (18)<br />[[Alfred Ngaro]] (20)<br />[[Nicky Wagner]] (22)<br />[[Brett Hudson (politician)|Brett Hudson]] (30)<br />[[Melissa Lee]] (31)<br />[[Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi]] (32)<br />[[Jian Yang (politician)|Jian Yang]] (33)<br />[[Parmjeet Parmar]] (34)<br />[[Jo Hayes]] (36)<br />[[Nuk Korako]] (42)
| [[Andrew Little (New Zealand politician)|Andrew Little]] (03)<br />[[David Parker (New Zealand politician)|David Parker]] (10)<br />[[Priyanca Radhakrishnan]] (12)<br />[[Raymond Huo]] (13)<br />[[Jan Tinetti]] (15)<br />[[Willow-Jean Prime]] (17)<br />[[Kiri Allan]] (21)<br />[[Willie Jackson (politician)|Willie Jackson]] (22)<br />[[Ginny Andersen]] (28)<br />[[Jo Luxton]] (29)<br />[[Liz Craig]] (31)<br />[[Marja Lubeck]] (32)<br />[[Trevor Mallard]] (33)<br />[[Jamie Strange]] (36)<br />[[Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki]] (37)<br />[[Kieran McAnulty]] (38)<br />[[Angie Warren-Clark]] (39)
| [[Winston Peters]] (01)<br />[[Ron Mark]] (02)<br />[[Tracey Martin]] (03)<br />[[Fletcher Tabuteau]] (04)<br /> [[Darroch Ball]] (05)<br />[[Clayton Mitchell (New Zealand politician)|Clayton Mitchell]] (06)<br /> [[Mark Patterson (New Zealand politician)|Mark Patterson]] (07)<br /> [[Shane Jones]] (08)<br />[[Jenny Marcroft]] (09)
| [[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|James Shaw]] (01)<br />[[Marama Davidson]] (02)<br />[[Julie Anne Genter]] (03)<br />[[Eugenie Sage]] (04)<br />[[Gareth Hughes (politician)|Gareth Hughes]] (05)<br />[[Jan Logie]] (06)<br />[[Chlöe Swarbrick]] (07)<br />[[Golriz Ghahraman]] (08)
|}

===Changes in MPs===
Two former MPs ([[Shane Jones]] and [[Willie Jackson (politician)|Willie Jackson]]) and 31 first-time MPs were elected to the 52nd Parliament, joining 87 incumbents from the 51st Parliament.

Following the retirement of Peter Dunne, Bill English (National, list) became the new [[Father of the House (New Zealand)|Father of the House]], having served as an MP continuously since 1990. While both [[Winston Peters]] and [[Trevor Mallard]] have served longer than English, their tenures have been non-continuous.

23-year-old [[Chlöe Swarbrick]] (Green, list) became the new [[Baby of the House#New Zealand|Baby of the House]]. She was the youngest MP to be elected to Parliament since the election of the 23-year-old [[Marilyn Waring]] in 1975.<ref>{{cite web | first= brad | last= Flahive | date= 23 September 2017 | title= Chloe Swarbrick set to become New Zealand's youngest MP in 42 years | url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97175081/new-zealands-youngest-mp-in-42-years | publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] | access-date= 8 October 2017 | archive-date= 24 September 2017 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170924094635/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97175081/new-zealands-youngest-mp-in-42-years | url-status= live }}</ref>

[[Golriz Ghahraman]] (Green, list) became the first former [[refugee]] to be elected to the New Zealand Parliament.<ref name = refugeeMP>{{cite news|title = New Zealand election: full results give Labour boost and nation its first refugee MP|first = Eleanor Ainge|last = Roy|date = 7 October 2017|access-date = 8 October 2017|work = [[The Guardian]]|url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/07/new-zealand-election-full-results-labour-boost-and-first-refugee-mp|archive-date = 8 October 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171008022001/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/07/new-zealand-election-full-results-labour-boost-and-first-refugee-mp|url-status = live}}</ref>

==Government formation==
Preliminary election results gave National 58 seats, Labour 45, New Zealand First 9, Green 7, and ACT 1,<ref name = PreliminaryResults>{{cite press release|url=http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/preliminary-results-2017-general-election|title=Preliminary Results for the 2017 General Election|date=24 September 2017|access-date=26 September 2017|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission of New Zealand]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002174516/http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/preliminary-results-2017-general-election|archive-date=2 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> leaving no party or obvious coalition able to command a parliamentary majority of 61 seats.  Final results saw the National Party lose two further seats, one each to Labour and the Greens,<ref name = OfficialResults>{{cite press release|url = http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/new-zealand-2017-general-election-official-results|title = New Zealand 2017 General Election – Official Results|date = 7 October 2017|access-date = 8 October 2017|publisher = [[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission of New Zealand]]|archive-date = 8 October 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171008080550/http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/new-zealand-2017-general-election-official-results|url-status = live}}</ref> confirming [[New Zealand First]] as the election's [[kingmaker]].<ref name = ABC-FinalTally>{{cite news|url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-07/new-zealand-final-election-tally-released/9026414|title = New Zealand First wins balance of power in final election tally, leaving Winston Peters in kingmaker position|work = [[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date = 7 October 2017|access-date = 8 October 2017|archive-date = 8 October 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171008015833/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-07/new-zealand-final-election-tally-released/9026414|url-status = live}}</ref>  Both the National and Labour parties outlined planned negotiations with New Zealand First in the hope of forming a government.<ref name = StuffNZ-negotiations />  A National–NZ First coalition would hold 65 seats, while a Labour–NZ First coalition would also need the support of the Green Party to form a majority government with 63 seats. National Party leader Bill English ruled out a formal governing arrangement with the ACT Party's sole MP David Seymour,<ref name = StuffNZ-negotiations>{{cite news |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97191116 |title=ACT's David Seymour cut adrift by Bill English ahead of negotiations with Winston Peters |first=Stacey |last=Kirk |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |date=24 September 2017 |access-date=26 September 2017 |archive-date=26 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926145019/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97191116 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name = ABC-FinalTally /> though such an agreement existed following the [[2014 New Zealand general election|2014 election]].<ref>{{cite news|first = Isaac|last = Davison|date = 29 September 2014|title = Act deal: No portfolio for David Seymour|work = [[The New Zealand Herald]]|url = http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11333521|access-date = 29 September 2014|archive-date = 29 September 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140929083455/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11333521|url-status = live}}</ref>

New Zealand First has held the balance of power in previous parliaments and its leader has served in several ministries.<ref name = ABC-FinalTally /> Following the [[1996 New Zealand general election|1996 election]], the party joined a [[Fourth National Government of New Zealand|coalition government with National]] with Peters as [[Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand|Deputy Prime Minister]]<ref>{{cite journal|first = Steven|last = Barnes|title = 'What About Me? Deputy Prime Ministership in New Zealand'|journal = [[Political Science (journal)|Political Science]]|volume = 61|issue = 1|year = 2009|pages = 33–49|doi = 10.1177/00323187090610010401|s2cid = 143801855}}</ref> and [[Treasurer of New Zealand|Treasurer]], an agreement that ended when Peters was sacked from Cabinet in August 1998.<ref name = PetersHistory /> Following the [[2005 New Zealand general election|2005 election]], NZ First entered into a [[confidence and supply]] agreement with the [[Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand|minority Labour government]] that also saw Peters appointed as [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (New Zealand)|Foreign Minister]] but not as a member of the [[Cabinet of New Zealand|Cabinet]].<ref name = PetersHistory>{{cite news|url = http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/09/winston-peters-how-the-kingmaker-has-ruled-and-fallen-before.html|title = Winston Peters: How the kingmaker has ruled – and fallen – before|date = 25 September 2017|access-date = 8 October 2017|first = Anna|last = Bracewell-Worrall|work = [[Newshub]]|archive-date = 8 October 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171008080728/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/09/winston-peters-how-the-kingmaker-has-ruled-and-fallen-before.html|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10350720|title = Making Peters Foreign Affairs Minister 'bad for country's image'|work = [[The New Zealand Herald]]|date = 17 October 2005|access-date = 15 July 2007|first = Ruth|last = Hill|archive-date = 3 March 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232444/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10350720|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/nz-gets-antimigrant-foreign-minister/2005/10/18/1129401225237.html|title = NZ gets anti-migrant foreign minister|date = 18 October 2005|agency = [[Australian Associated Press|AAP]]|work = [[The Age]]|access-date = 4 December 2011|archive-date = 9 February 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110209113659/http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/nz-gets-antimigrant-foreign-minister/2005/10/18/1129401225237.html|url-status = live}}</ref>

Shaw announced the Greens' negotiation team of himself, MP [[Eugenie Sage]], acting chief of staff [[Tory Whanau]], Green co-convenor Debs Martin and campaign staffer Andrew Campbell on 26 September.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97263958/green-party-announces-coalition-negotiating-team |title=Green Party announces coalition negotiating team |first=Laura |last=Walters |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |date=26 September 2017 |access-date=26 September 2017 |archive-date=26 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926150525/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97263958/green-party-announces-coalition-negotiating-team |url-status=live }}</ref> Labour's negotiators were led by leader Ardern and deputy leader Davis.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/340286/ardern-and-davis-to-lead-labour-negotiating-team |title=Ardern and Davis to lead Labour negotiating team |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=26 September 2017 |access-date=26 September 2017 |archive-date=26 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926190922/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/340286/ardern-and-davis-to-lead-labour-negotiating-team |url-status=live }}</ref>

Negotiations concluded on 12 October, with "extensive dossiers" provided to NZ First from both Labour and National. The NZ First Board met alongside the parliamentary caucus on 16 October to begin the process of formally choosing a coalition partner.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97839780/winston-peters-says-nz-first-board-meeting-will-be-on-monday|title=Winston Peters says NZ First board meeting will be on Monday|website=Stuff|date=13 October 2017|access-date=13 October 2017|archive-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014083420/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97839780/winston-peters-says-nz-first-board-meeting-will-be-on-monday|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 19 October, NZ First announced the formation of a minority coalition government with Labour.  As part of the agreement, NZ First received four ministerial positions inside Cabinet and one parliamentary under-secretary position. Winston Peters also accepted an offer of the role of Deputy Prime Minister.

The Greens received three ministerial positions outside Cabinet and one parliamentary under-secretary position as a result of a confidence and supply agreement reached between them and Labour.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/19/jacinda-ardern-new-zealand-prime-minister-labour-coalition-deal-winston-peters|title=Jacinda Ardern to be New Zealand's next prime minister after Labour coalition deal|last=Roy|first=Eleanor Ainge|date=19 October 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=19 October 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019082235/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/19/jacinda-ardern-new-zealand-prime-minister-labour-coalition-deal-winston-peters|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Cabinet and ministerial roles===
On 20 October 2017, the names of Labour's 16 Cabinet ministers were announced as Jacinda Ardern, [[David Clark (New Zealand politician)|David Clark]], [[Clare Curran]], [[Kelvin Davis (politician)|Kelvin Davis]], [[Chris Hipkins]], [[Iain Lees-Galloway]], [[Andrew Little (New Zealand politician)|Andrew Little]], [[Nanaia Mahuta]], [[Stuart Nash]], [[Damien O'Connor]], [[David Parker (New Zealand politician)|David Parker]], [[Grant Robertson]], [[Jenny Salesa]], [[Carmel Sepuloni]], [[Phil Twyford]], and [[Megan Woods]]. The Labour ministers outside cabinet were [[Kris Faafoi]], [[Peeni Henare]], [[Willie Jackson (politician)|Willie Jackson]], [[William Sio]], and [[Meka Whaitiri]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11935280|title=Who's in, who's out? Labour announces Cabinet, ministerial line up|date=20 October 2017|via=www.nzherald.co.nz|access-date=21 October 2017|archive-date=21 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021133238/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11935280|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Green Party announced on 21 October its three ministers outside cabinet and one parliamentary under-secretary slots as [[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|James Shaw]], [[Julie Anne Genter]], [[Jan Logie]] and [[Eugenie Sage]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/342074/green-party-announces-ministers|title=Green Party announces ministers|date=21 October 2017|access-date=21 October 2017|archive-date=22 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022085540/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/342074/green-party-announces-ministers|url-status=live}}</ref>

The final ministers to be named were from New Zealand First. On 25 October, it was announced that [[Ron Mark]], [[Tracey Martin]] and [[Shane Jones]] would join the Cabinet, with [[Fletcher Tabuteau]] as a parliamentary under-secretary.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mackenzie|first=Dene|date=2017-10-25|title=Announcement to reveal key portfolios for NZ First|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/election-2017/announcement-reveal-key-portfolios-nz-first|access-date=2020-10-13|website=Otago Daily Times Online News|language=en|archive-date=7 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207010425/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/election-2017/announcement-reveal-key-portfolios-nz-first|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Jacinda Ardern announces Ministers for the 52nd New Zealand Government|language=en|work=Newshub|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/10/live-updates-jacinda-ardern-s-executive-team.html|access-date=2020-10-13|archive-date=15 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015035214/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/10/live-updates-jacinda-ardern-s-executive-team.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Campaigning==
===Expense limits and broadcasting allocations===
During the three-month regulated period prior to election day (i.e. 23 June to 22 September 2017), parties and candidates have limits on how much they may spend on election campaigning. It is illegal in New Zealand to campaign on election day itself.<ref>Section 197, Electoral Act 1993.</ref>

For the 2017 election, every registered party contending the party vote is permitted to spend $1,115,000 plus $26,200 per electorate candidate on election campaigning during the regulated period, excluding radio and television campaigning (broadcasting funding is allocated separately). A party contesting all 71 electorates is therefore permitted to spend $2,975,200 on election campaigning.<ref>Section 206C, Electoral Act 1993.</ref> All electorate candidates are permitted to spend $26,200 each on campaigning over and above their party's allocation.<ref>Section 205C, Electoral Act 1993.</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; the actual production costs of advertisements can come from the general election expenses budget. The Electoral Commission sets the amount of broadcasting funds each party gets; generally the allocation is based on the number of seats in the current Parliament, previous election results, and support in opinion polls. The initial broadcasting allocation was released on 26 May 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title= 2017 Broadcasting Allocation |url= https://www.elections.org.nz/sites/default/files/media/attachments/2017_broadcasting_allocation_decision_26_may_2017.pdf |publisher=Electoral Commission |date= 26 May 2017 |access-date= 27 May 2017 |archive-date= 3 July 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170703173102/https://www.elections.org.nz/sites/default/files/media/attachments/2017_broadcasting_allocation_decision_26_may_2017.pdf |url-status= live }}</ref> The broadcasting allocation was revised on 23 August 2017, redistributing funds from parties that failed to register in time for the election.<ref>{{cite web |title= 2017 Variation Broadcasting Allocation Decision Released |url= https://www.elections.org.nz/sites/default/files/media/attachments/2017_broadcasting_allocation_decision_26_may_2017.pdf |publisher=Electoral Commission |date= 23 August 2017 |access-date= 25 August 2017 |archive-date= 3 July 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170703173102/https://www.elections.org.nz/sites/default/files/media/attachments/2017_broadcasting_allocation_decision_26_may_2017.pdf |url-status= live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan=2 style="width:150px"| Party !! Broadcasting allocation
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand National Party}} || style="text-align:right;"| $1,370,860
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand Labour Party}} || style="text-align:right;"| $1,105,533
|-
|{{party name with color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}} || style="text-align:right;"| $530,656
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand First}} || style="text-align:right;"| $420,102
|-
|{{party name with color|Māori Party}} || style="text-align:right;"| $132,664
|-
|{{party name with color|ACT New Zealand}} || style="text-align:right;"| $99,498
|-
|{{party name with color|United Future}} || style="text-align:right;"| $99,498
|-
|{{party name with color|Conservative Party (New Zealand)}} || style="text-align:right;"| $55,277
|-
|{{party name with color|Internet Party (New Zealand)}} || style="text-align:right;"| $55,277
|-
|{{party name with color|Mana Party (New Zealand)}} || style="text-align:right;"| $55,277
|-
|{{party name with color|Ban 1080 Party}} || style="text-align:right;"| $44,221
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand Democratic Party for Social Credit}} || style="text-align:right;"| $44,221
|-
|{{party name with color|Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party}} || style="text-align:right;"| $44,221
|-
|{{party name with color|The Opportunities Party}} || style="text-align:right;"| $44,221
|-
|{{party name with color|New Zealand Outdoors Party}} || style="text-align:right;"| $44,221
|}

Third party promoters, such as trade unions and [[advocacy group|lobby groups]], can campaign during the regulated period. The maximum expense limit is $315,000 for those promoters registered with the Electoral Commission,<ref>Section 206V, Electoral Act 1993.</ref> and $12,600 for unregistered promoters.<ref>Section 204B, Electoral Act 1993.</ref> {{As of|2017|8|19}}, the following third party promoters were registered:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.org.nz/events/2017-general-election/2017-parties-candidates-and-third-parties/register-promoters-2017|title=Register of Promoters 2017 General Election|publisher=Electoral Commission|access-date=31 May 2017|archive-date=2 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602150858/http://www.elections.org.nz/events/2017-general-election/2017-parties-candidates-and-third-parties/register-promoters-2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* ActionStation
* New Zealand Aged Care Association
* [[New Zealand Council of Trade Unions]]
* [[E tū]]
* [[Family First New Zealand]]
* [[Hobson's Pledge]]
* [[New Zealand Nurses Organisation]]
* [[Post Primary Teachers' Association]]
* [[New Zealand Public Service Association]]
* [[New Zealand Taxpayers' Union]]
* [[Tertiary Education Union]]
* Thomas Enright
* [[New Zealand Union of Students' Associations]]
{{div col end}}

===Issues===

In a January 2017 poll conducted by Roy Morgan Research, 26 percent of respondents named housing supply and affordability as the most important issue facing New Zealand, while another 17 percent named poverty and income inequality.<ref>{{cite web |title= New Zealand's 'Housing Crisis' dominates domestic issues as New Zealand heads towards September Election |url= http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/7131-housing-issues-dominate-new-zealand-election-february-2017-201702271518 |publisher=Roy Morgan Research |date= 27 February 2017 |access-date= 3 May 2017 |archive-date= 17 March 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170317133940/http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/7131-housing-issues-dominate-new-zealand-election-february-2017-201702271518 |url-status= live }}</ref>
<!--this section is for common issues which are part of many party's campaigns-->

====Education====
On 27 August 2017, National pledged a $379&nbsp;million education package. New "digital academies" focused on IT training and similar to existing trades academies, would be introduced for 1,000 year-12 and 13 students at a cost of $48&nbsp;million. There would also be investments of $126&nbsp;million to improve maths achievements for primary school students and $160&nbsp;million to give all primary school students the opportunity to learn a second language if they wished. There would be an expansion of the National Standards scheme that would allow parents to check the progress of their child via their mobile phone.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96196762/national-launches-official-campaign-with-education-bid|access-date=27 August 2017|title=National launches official campaign with $379&nbsp;million education bid|date=27 August 2017|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|archive-date=28 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828015043/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96196762/national-launches-official-campaign-with-education-bid|url-status=live}}</ref>

Labour leader Jacinda Ardern announced on 14 August 2017 that the party had reinstated a 2015 pledge to assist school students to learn to drive and budget. Five driving lessons and the fees for the licence test would be free, and students would be taught life skills and budgeting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/95743899/labour-relaunches-toolkit-for-teenagers-leaving-school|access-date=14 August 2017|title=Labour relaunches toolkit for teenagers leaving school|date=14 August 2017|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|archive-date=14 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814184043/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/95743899/labour-relaunches-toolkit-for-teenagers-leaving-school|url-status=live}}</ref> On 29 August, Ardern announced that Labour would implement its 2016 policy of three years free tertiary education, starting with one year in 2018 and expanding to two years in 2021 and three years in 2024. She also announced a $50 per week increase in the student allowance and student loan living costs.<ref>{{cite news |first1= Vernon |last1= Small |first2= Stacey |last2= Kirk |first3= Henry |last3= Cooke |date= 29 August 2017 |title= Big boost for education, tertiary study as Labour unveils spending plan |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96252388/big-boost-for-education-tertiary-study-as-labour-unveils-spending-plan |website= [[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |access-date= 30 August 2017 |archive-date= 30 August 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170830155211/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96252388/big-boost-for-education-tertiary-study-as-labour-unveils-spending-plan |url-status= live }}</ref>

The ACT party continued to support [[Charter schools in New Zealand|partnership (charter) schools]], with intentions to allow state schools to convert into partnership schools.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2016/08/act---allow-state-schools-to-become-charter-schools.html|title=Allow state schools to become charter schools – ACT Party|date=31 August 2016|work=Newshub|access-date=19 August 2017|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819150302/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2016/08/act---allow-state-schools-to-become-charter-schools.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ACT leader [[David Seymour]] said on 2 September 2017 that the party would give schools $975&nbsp;million more, so long as they abandon nationally negotiated union contracts. Schools would be funded $93,000 per teacher in a bulk funding arrangement and would be free to allocate the grant how they wanted, with principals able to decide how much to pay individual teachers. Teachers' pay would be boosted by $20,000 on average, and the payments would reward good teachers and attract "our brightest graduates" to careers in teaching.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96434845/act-says-it-will-give-schools-20k-more-per-teacher-if-they-abandon-union-contracts|access-date=2 September 2017|title=ACT says it will give schools $20k more per teacher, if they abandon union contracts|date=2 September 2017|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|archive-date=2 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902100846/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96434845/act-says-it-will-give-schools-20k-more-per-teacher-if-they-abandon-union-contracts|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= ACT promises bulk funding if schools drop union contracts |url= http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/election-2017/338563/act-promises-bulk-funding-if-schools-drop-union-contracts |publisher=Radio New Zealand |access-date= 2 September 2017 |archive-date= 3 September 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170903033054/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/election-2017/338563/act-promises-bulk-funding-if-schools-drop-union-contracts |url-status= live }}</ref>

====Housing====
According to [[Quotable Value Limited|Quotable Value]], residential house prices across New Zealand increased 34.2% between June 2014 and June 2017, from an average of $476,000 to an average of $639,000. In the Auckland metro area, the increase was 45.5% in the same period, from $718,000 to $1,045,000.<ref>{{cite web |title= Residential House Values |url= https://www.qv.co.nz/property-trends/residential-house-values |publisher=Quotable Value |access-date= 3 September 2017 |archive-date= 3 September 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170903075116/https://www.qv.co.nz/property-trends/residential-house-values |url-status= live }}</ref>

ACT announced its housing policy on 6 August 2017, proposing to scrap the urban rural boundary to free up land for those who want to subdivide and build, claiming that this would create room for 600,000 possible houses.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/act-promises-600-000-new-homes-on-auckland-outskirts.html|title=ACT promises 600,000 new homes on Auckland outskirts|date=6 August 2017|work=Newshub|access-date=9 August 2017|archive-date=8 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808150511/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/act-promises-600-000-new-homes-on-auckland-outskirts.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Green Party leader [[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|James Shaw]] reaffirmed on 22 August the party's intention to introduce a [[capital gains tax]], saying that it was "a priority" for the party and a measure "we want to see addressed in a first term of a new government." Shaw said the fact that New Zealand was one of the only countries in the developed world without a consistent capital gains tax had helped fuel inequality between "those who don't own a home and those who now own ten".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96021494/greens-reaffirm-capital-gains-tax-policy-if-in-government|access-date=22 August 2017|title=Greens reaffirm capital gains tax policy, if in Government|date=22 August 2017|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|archive-date=22 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822174447/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96021494/greens-reaffirm-capital-gains-tax-policy-if-in-government|url-status=live}}</ref>

Labour's flagship housing policy was the [[KiwiBuild]] scheme, which would aim to build 100,000 homes over 10 years.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/92721466/kiwibuild-and-the-crown-building-project--how-will-they-affect-you |title=Kiwibuild and the Crown Building Project – how will they affect you? |first=Jo |last=Moir |publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=18 May 2017 |access-date=5 July 2018 |archive-date=7 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207010424/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/92721466/kiwibuild-and-the-crown-building-project--how-will-they-affect-you |url-status=live }}</ref> Labour announced on 3 September it would extend the landlords' termination notice period to 90 days (from 42 days), abolish termination without cause, and limit rent increases to once every 12 months (from 6 months). This was in addition to previously announced policies of extending the "bright-line test" for taxing capital gains on residential properties from two years to five years, and abolishing [[negative gearing]] on investment properties.<ref>{{Cite news |first= Vernon |last= Small |date= 3 September 2017 |title= Labour strengthens renters' rights with limits on rent rises, 90-day notices |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96440380/labour-strengthens-renters-rights-with-limits-on-rent-rises-90-day-notices |website= [[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |access-date= 3 September 2017 |archive-date= 3 September 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170903075838/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96440380/labour-strengthens-renters-rights-with-limits-on-rent-rises-90-day-notices |url-status= live }}</ref>

====Immigration====
According to [[Statistics New Zealand]] estimates, New Zealand's net migration (long-term arrivals minus long-term departures) in the June 2016/17 year was 72,300.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/population/estimates_and_projections/NationalPopulationEstimates_HOTPAt30Jun17.aspx |title=National Population Estimates: At 30 June 2017 |publisher=Statistics New Zealand |date=14 August 2017 |access-date=19 September 2017 |archive-date=20 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920044628/http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/population/estimates_and_projections/NationalPopulationEstimates_HOTPAt30Jun17.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> That was up from 38,300 in the June 2013/14 year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/population/estimates_and_projections/NationalPopulationEstimates_HOTPAt30Jun14.aspx |title=National Population Estimates: At 30 June 2014 |publisher=Statistics New Zealand |date=14 August 2017 |access-date=23 August 2017 |archive-date=23 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823073724/http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/population/estimates_and_projections/NationalPopulationEstimates_HOTPAt30Jun14.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Of those migrants specifying a region of settlement, 61 percent settled in the Auckland region.<ref>{{cite web |title= International Travel and Migration: June 2017 – tables |url= http://www.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/Browse%20for%20stats/IntTravelAndMigration/HOTPJun17/itm-jun17-tables.xls |publisher=Statistics New Zealand |access-date= 6 September 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170906135112/http://www.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/Browse%20for%20stats/IntTravelAndMigration/HOTPJun17/itm-jun17-tables.xls |archive-date= 6 September 2017 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

Labour promised to reduce net immigration by about 20–30,000 annually, partly by reducing the number of students enrolled in "low value" courses that were susceptible to being used as a subterfuge for immigration. The party said it would introduce a stricter test regime to ensure employers seek to hire New Zealanders before recruiting overseas applicants, and would require skilled migrants to stay and work in the region their visa was issued for.<ref name="IMMIGRATE">{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11907957|access-date=23 August 2017|title=Policy series: where do the parties stand on immigration?|date=22 August 2017|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|archive-date=22 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822214059/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11907957|url-status=live}}</ref>

National planned to count migrants as "skilled" only if the job they were coming to paid more than about $49,000 a year, but the plan was opposed by employers who said their businesses would be put at risk by the blocking of foreign workers. Immigrants only needed to be paid over $41,859 a year – resulting in about 6000 more workers being able to stay in the country longer. Those earning less would be considered low-skilled and can stay in the country for a maximum of three years, after which a stand-down period applies before they can apply to come back. National planned to introduce legislation in 2018 that would raise the residency requirements for superannuation from 10 to 20 years.<ref name="IMMIGRATE"/>

NZ First leader Winston Peters vowed to reduce net immigration to around 10,000 per year. Peters said that unemployed New Zealanders would be trained to take jobs as the number was reduced, and the number of older immigrants would be limited, with more bonded to the regions.<ref name="IMMIGRATE"/>

The Green Party proposed that migration should be capped to 1 per cent of population growth, but later abandoned that policy due to the perception that the Greens were pandering to anti-immigrant rhetoric.

ACT had "long opposed populist attacks on immigrants", according to David Seymour.<ref>{{cite book |last= Seymour|first= David|date= 2017|title= Own Your Future|location= Auckland|publisher=ACT New Zealand|page= 94|author-link= David Seymour}}</ref> ACT wanted immigrants to "demonstrate they've earned above the average wage in their field" to get residency, and it would put an end to foreigners leaving their kids in New Zealand while paying taxes overseas by implementing an "infrastructure charge" of $10 per day for a maximum of a year for all migrants.<ref>{{cite book |last= Seymour|first= David|date= 2017|title= Own Your Future|location= Auckland|publisher=ACT New Zealand|page= 103|author-link= David Seymour}}</ref>

The Opportunities Party (TOP) wanted a change so that immigration would not be driven by student visas or reciprocal visitor working visas. The party also wanted to abandon the requirement for highly skilled migrants to have a job to come to.<ref name="IMMIGRATE"/>

====Rail transport====
National Party leader and Prime Minister Bill English announced on 6 August 2017 that there would be a $267&nbsp;million investment in Auckland and Wellington commuter rail, which would include (in Auckland) electrification of the line between [[Papakura railway station|Papakura]] and [[Pukekohe Railway Station|Pukekohe]], a third line between Westfield and Wiri, and (in Wellington) [[Double-track railway|double-tracking]] the line between [[Trentham railway station, New Zealand|Trentham]] and [[Upper Hutt Railway Station|Upper Hutt]], and several other improvements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11899427|title=National's mega transport plan announced|date=6 August 2017|access-date=13 August 2017|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|archive-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813142605/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11899427|url-status=live}}</ref>

Labour announced on 6 August 2017 that it would accelerate the building of a proposed [[light rail]] system between [[Auckland CBD]] and [[Auckland Airport]] so that it would be completed within a decade. The plan is part of Labour's wider transport improvements that would include a light rail link to [[West Auckland, New Zealand|West Auckland]], an eventual extension of light rail to the [[North Shore, Auckland|North Shore]], a bus network between Howick and the airport, electrification from Papakura to Pukekohe, a third main line between Westfield and Papakura, and other rail and road improvements.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/labour-promises-light-rail-to-auckland-airport-within-a-decade.html|access-date=13 August 2017|title=Labour promises light rail to Auckland Airport within a decade|date=6 August 2017|work=Newshub|archive-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813110555/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/labour-promises-light-rail-to-auckland-airport-within-a-decade.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95513058/labours-roll-runs-into-nationals-rock |title= Labour's roll runs into National's rock |website= [[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |date= 7 August 2017 |access-date= 14 August 2017 |archive-date= 14 August 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170814184045/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95513058/labours-roll-runs-into-nationals-rock |url-status= live }}</ref> On 21 August 2017, the party's leader Jacinda Ardern announced a $20&nbsp;million plan for a passenger rail service linking Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga. She said that the region would grow by 800,000 people in the next 25 years, and that rail was historically a fundamental travel mode and it was time that it was again.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95985999/labour-to-spend-20m-on-commuter-rail-between-auckland-hamilton-and-tauranga|access-date=21 August 2017|title=Labour to spend $20m on commuter rail between Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga|date=21 August 2017|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|archive-date=21 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821023451/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95985999/labour-to-spend-20m-on-commuter-rail-between-auckland-hamilton-and-tauranga|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Green Party announced on 17 August 2017 that it would introduce a passenger rail service between Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga on a trial basis from 2019. The party had previously said that its policy was to complete the [[Railway electrification|electrification]] of the rail network between Auckland and Hamilton and extend electrification to Tauranga.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11905680|access-date=16 August 2017|title=Green Party promises Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga passenger rail|date=17 August 2017|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|archive-date=17 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817035708/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11905680|url-status=live}}</ref> On 25 August 2017, Green party plans for a light rail line between [[Wellington railway station]] and [[Wellington Airport]] via [[Newtown, New Zealand|Newtown]] were announced. The party would establish the line by 2027, and it could form the spine of an extended network north to [[Epuni Railway Station|Epuni]] via central Lower Hutt and south to [[Island Bay]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96104375/greens-plan-light-rail-to-wellington-airport-by-2027|access-date=24 August 2017|title=Greens plan light rail to Wellington Airport by 2027|date=24 August 2017|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|archive-date=25 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825023258/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96104375/greens-plan-light-rail-to-wellington-airport-by-2027|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Poverty====
During the leaders' debate held on 4 September 2017, National leader Bill English committed his party to a target to bring 100,000 children out of poverty within the next term. The National party policy was mainly built around their Families Package, due to be introduced in April 2018, which English said would bring 50,000 children out of poverty.<ref name="povertytarget" >{{cite news |last=Hurley |first=Emma |date=4 September 2017 |title=Bill English commits to poverty target |url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/09/newshub-leaders-debate-bill-english-commits-to-poverty-target.html |work=Newshub |access-date=18 May 2018 |archive-date=20 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520020240/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/09/newshub-leaders-debate-bill-english-commits-to-poverty-target.html |url-status=live }}</ref> They would increase the tax credits for 310,000 families who receive Working for Families, and the abatement level for the tax credits would decrease from $36,350 to $35,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.national.org.nz/family_incomes_package |title=Family Incomes Package |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=National.org |publisher=The New Zealand National Party |access-date=21 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517174348/https://www.national.org.nz/family_incomes_package |archive-date=17 May 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

At the same debate Labour leader Jacinda Ardern committed to changing the law to require that every government budget update would have to include a measurement of child poverty.<ref name="povertytarget" /> Labour promised to extend Working for Families to another 30,000 families, by raising the abatement threshold and increasing the tax credits. They introduced the Best Start package that would give $60 a week for each child in their first year and extend paid parental leave to 26 weeks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.labour.org.nz/familiespackage |title=A Families Package that delivers |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=Labour.org |publisher=The New Zealand Labour Party |access-date=16 May 2018 |archive-date=27 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527201837/https://www.labour.org.nz/familiespackage |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 16 July 2017, the Green Party announced at their AGM that they would increase all benefits by 20% and remove all penalties and excessive sanctions to those on the benefit, looking to change the “punitive culture” at MSD.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greens.org.nz/news/press-release/green-party-will-lift-families-out-poverty |title=Green Party will lift families out of poverty |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=Greens.org |publisher=The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand |access-date=18 May 2018 |archive-date=27 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527031037/https://www.greens.org.nz/news/press-release/green-party-will-lift-families-out-poverty |url-status=live }}</ref> They would boost the Working for Families package and raise the minimum wage to $17.75.<ref name="povertypolicy" />

The Māori Party set a target to eliminate all poverty by 2025, introducing a living wage for all workers and making cost of living adjustments to all benefits.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maoriparty.org/fairer_aotearoa_policy_2017 |title=Fairer Aotearoa: Making it tika and pono |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=Maoriparty.org |publisher=Māori Party |access-date=16 May 2018 |archive-date=27 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527023202/http://www.maoriparty.org/fairer_aotearoa_policy_2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> The party promised to increase support to grandparents raising grandchildren and expand [[Whānau Ora]].<ref name="povertypolicy" >{{cite news |last=Bracewell-Worrall |first=Anna |date=24 August 2017 |title=Who should I vote for? Poverty policy at a glance |url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/who-should-i-vote-for-poverty-policy-at-a-glance.html |work=Newshub |access-date=18 May 2018 |archive-date=27 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527022924/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/who-should-i-vote-for-poverty-policy-at-a-glance.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

TOP proposed an introduction of a universal basic income of $200 a week to all families with children under 3 (or under 6 if adopted), which would replace paid maternity leave. Low income families regardless of employment would get $72 a week and free child care.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.top.org.nz/top7 |title=Thriving Families and UBI |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=top.org |publisher=The Opportunities Party |access-date=18 May 2018 |archive-date=27 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527023843/https://www.top.org.nz/top7 |url-status=live }}</ref>

ACT campaigned on implementing lifetime limits of five years for the sole parent benefit and three years for the jobseeker benefit. They proposed cutting Working for Families and paid parental leave for upper income earners.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://act.org.nz/welfare-and-the-family/ |title=Welfare and the family |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=act.org |publisher=ACT New Zealand |access-date=18 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527023920/http://act.org.nz/welfare-and-the-family/ |archive-date=27 May 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 12 July 2017, ACT deputy leader Beth Houlbrooke made a Facebook post criticising Labour's Best Start package, stating "The fact is, parents who cannot afford to have children should not be having them. ACT believes in personal responsibility, meaning we stand with the majority of parents who wait and save before having children."<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=ACT says people who can't afford children shouldn't have them |url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/07/act-says-people-who-can-t-afford-children-shouldn-t-have-them.html |work=Newshub |date=12 July 2017 |access-date=18 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521180520/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/07/act-says-people-who-can-t-afford-children-shouldn-t-have-them.html |archive-date=21 May 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Party campaigns===
<!--this section is for individual party campaigns and individual policies. If several parties have policies in the same area, place it under the "Issues" section above-->

====National====
National was campaigning for a fourth term in government. If successful, it would have been the first four-term government since the [[Second National Government of New Zealand|Second National Government]] (1960–72), and the first four-term government under MMP.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11933570|title=A history of New Zealand's MMP governments|journal=The New Zealand Herald|date=19 October 2017|access-date=14 June 2019|language=en-NZ|issn=1170-0777|archive-date=21 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021133430/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11933570|url-status=live}}</ref> National revealed the design of its first tranche of party hoardings in early July, featuring leader Bill English and the slogan "Delivering for New Zealanders".<ref name="hoardings0807">{{cite news |title= Andrew Little – Jacinda Ardern double act for Labour campaign advertising |url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11887333 |date= 8 July 2017 |work= The New Zealand Herald |access-date= 12 July 2017 |archive-date= 11 July 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170711114218/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11887333 |url-status= live }}</ref>

On 20 August 2017, English announced that the government, if re-elected, planned to build ten new "[[Roads of National Significance]]" at a cost of $10.5&nbsp;billion. Four-laning the [[Hawke's Bay Expressway]], a solution for the [[Manawatū Gorge]] road (closed after rock falls in April 2017 and a long history of such falls),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/96758093/next-manawat-gorge-rock-fall-could-be-170-times-larger-than-two-previous-slips|access-date=13 September 2017|title=Next Manawatū Gorge rock fall could be 170 times larger than two previous slips|date=13 September 2017|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|archive-date=18 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918092657/https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/96758093/next-manawat-gorge-rock-fall-could-be-170-times-larger-than-two-previous-slips|url-status=live}}</ref> and a highway from [[Wellsford, New Zealand|Wellsford]] to [[Whangarei]] were included.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95965828/bill-english-goes-big-on-roading-knowing-labour-had-no-new-policy-to-counter-with|access-date=20 August 2017|title=Bill English goes big on roading knowing Labour had no new policy to counter with|date=20 August 2017|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|archive-date=21 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821045448/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95965828/bill-english-goes-big-on-roading-knowing-labour-had-no-new-policy-to-counter-with|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95962416/national-announce-105-billion-roading-plan|access-date=20 August 2017|title=National announce $10.5&nbsp;billion roading plan|date=20 August 2017|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|archive-date=21 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821045459/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95962416/national-announce-105-billion-roading-plan|url-status=live}}</ref>

The party announced on 13 August 2017 that it would create a new [[Boot camp (correctional)|bootcamp]] for youth offenders at the [[Waiouru Military Camp]]. English said that there were about 150 "very serious young offenders". The justice minister said that a new Young Serious Offender (YSO) classification would be established for the group.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95727988/special-bootcamp-for-youth-offenders-at-waiouru-army-camp-under-national|access-date=13 August 2017|title=Special bootcamp for youth offenders at Waiouru army camp, under National|date=13 August 2017|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|archive-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813110047/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95727988/special-bootcamp-for-youth-offenders-at-waiouru-army-camp-under-national|url-status=live}}</ref>

Prime Minister Bill English and Health Minister [[Jonathan Coleman (politician)|Jonathan Coleman]] announced on 19 August 2017 that a new hospital costing more than $1.2&nbsp;billion would be built to replace [[Dunedin Hospital]], rather than refurbishing the existing building. It would be expected to open in 7–10 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11907216|access-date=19 August 2017|title=$1.2b new hospital in Dunedin will be NZ's most expensive|date=19 August 2017|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819062733/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11907216|url-status=live}}</ref> On 21 August, English and Coleman announced a pledge that 600,000 low income people would have access to $18 doctors' visits. The [[Community Services Card]] would also be expanded to an additional 350,000 people with low incomes and high housing costs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95985160/national-pledges-18-doctors-visits-for-an-extra-600000-new-zealanders|access-date=21 August 2017|title=National pledges $18 doctors visits for an extra 600,000 New Zealanders|date=21 August 2017|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|archive-date=21 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821130437/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95985160/national-pledges-18-doctors-visits-for-an-extra-600000-new-zealanders|url-status=live}}</ref>

The party's infrastructure spokesman [[Steven Joyce]] announced on 2 September 2017 that a National Infrastructure Commission would be set up to help expand and oversee [[public–private partnership]]s (PPPs). The commission would supervise large infrastructure projects, such as the building of new schools, roads, and hospitals, which would be built as PPPs. It was likely that the first project would be the $50&nbsp;million rebuild of [[Whangarei Boys' High School]], but several other large projects totalling several billion dollars were also being considered.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96400791/national-to-set-up-new-commission-to-handle-publicprivate-partnerships|access-date=2 September 2017|title=National to set up new commission to handle public-private partnerships|date=1 September 2017|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|archive-date=2 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902052325/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96400791/national-to-set-up-new-commission-to-handle-publicprivate-partnerships|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Labour====
[[File:Jacinda Ardern at the University of Auckland.jpg|thumb|200px|Ardern campaigning at the [[University of Auckland]], 1 September 2017]]
Labour announced it would reverse the tax cuts included in the 2017 Budget and instead increase Working for Families rates and introduce a new benefit for families with children under 3 years old. It also would introduce a winter heating supplement for people on superannuation and benefits.<ref>{{cite news |title= Struggling families would get more under Labour – Little |url= http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/334909/struggling-families-would-get-more-under-labour-little |date= 11 July 2017 |publisher=Radio New Zealand |access-date= 12 July 2017 |archive-date= 14 July 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170714075332/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/334909/struggling-families-would-get-more-under-labour-little |url-status= live }}</ref>

On 1 August 2017, party leader [[Andrew Little (New Zealand politician)|Andrew Little]] resigned on the back of poor opinion polling performance. Deputy leader Jacinda Ardern was unanimously elected leader by the party caucus, while [[Kelvin Davis (politician)|Kelvin Davis]] was unanimously elected deputy leader to replace Ardern.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11897447|title=Andrew Little quits: Jacinda Ardern is new Labour leader, Kelvin Davis is deputy|access-date=2 August 2017|archive-date=13 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513054815/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11897447|url-status=live}}</ref> The leadership change saw a large boost in the Labour Party's support – the party had received $250,000 in donations and signed up 1000 volunteers within 24 hours of the leadership change, according to party secretary [[Andrew Kirton]].<ref>{{cite news |first1= Henry |last1= Cook |first2= Tracy |last2= Watkins |date= 2 August 2017 |title= 'Fresh approach is gone': Jacinda Ardern culls Labour's campaign slogan as donations fly in |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95350937/jacinda-ardern-brings-in-110000-and-600-new-volunteers-for-labour |website= [[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |access-date= 12 August 2017 |archive-date= 12 August 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170812062731/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95350937/jacinda-ardern-brings-in-110000-and-600-new-volunteers-for-labour |url-status= live }}</ref>

The design for Labour's first tranche of party hoardings was released in early July, featuring both Little and Ardern with the slogan "A fresh approach".<ref name="hoardings0807" /> After the change of leadership, the new hoardings solely featured Ardern with the new slogan "Let's do this".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/watch-lets-do-jacinda-ardern-reveals-labours-new-slogan-party-starts-fresh-election-campaign|title=Watch: 'Let's Do This' – Jacinda Ardern reveals Labour's new slogan as party starts fresh election campaign|access-date=12 August 2017|archive-date=8 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808034027/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/watch-lets-do-jacinda-ardern-reveals-labours-new-slogan-party-starts-fresh-election-campaign|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 26 August, Ardern announced a plan to cut fees for visits to doctors. Community Services Card holders would be charged $8 for a visit to a doctor, teenagers would be charged $2, and under–13s would still pay nothing. The cost for an average adult would fall from $42 to $32.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96184452/labour-announces-plan-to-slash-doctors-fees|access-date=31 August 2017|title=Labour announces plan to slash doctors' fees for all Kiwis|date=26 August 2017|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|archive-date=31 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831171950/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96184452/labour-announces-plan-to-slash-doctors-fees|url-status=live}}</ref>

Labour's finance spokesman [[Grant Robertson]] announced on 14 September 2017, nine days before the election, that there would be "no new taxes or levies" until after the 2020 election. Any changes arising from its tax working group would not take effect until 2021. Robertson's announcement reversed the position taken by leader Jacinda Ardern who had reserved the right to implement changes before obtaining a mandate at the 2020 election, and came as a Newshub-Reid Research poll showed National rising at the expense of Labour. Labour had gone into the previous two general elections with a capital gains tax policy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11922151|access-date=13 September 2017|title=Labour tidies up tax policy, will delay new changes until 2020|date=14 September 2017|website=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|archive-date=13 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913223958/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11922151|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Green====
The Green Party launched its election campaign on 9 July in [[Nelson, New Zealand|Nelson]]. Bryce Edwards writing for ''[[The New Zealand Herald]]'' claimed the party's policies announced in the run up to the election showed that: "After years of watering down policies and desperately trying to make themselves more respectable to the mainstream, they have made an abrupt shift to the left". One of the major announcements was the party's new radical welfare reform proposals. Social policy academic and welfare campaigner Susan St John gave the social welfare reforms a "definite thumbs up", pointing to two "breathtakingly bold policies" within the reforms. These two aspects included in the reforms were, one: "sole parents to keep their sole parent support when they attempt to repartner. She is the one to say, not WINZ [Work and Income New Zealand], when she is in a partnership in the nature of marriage". A second aspect would be to make "the In–Work Tax Credit available to all low income families".<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11892626 Political Roundup: The Greens get radical] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723035830/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11892626 |date=23 July 2017 }}. ''The New Zealand Herald''. Author – Bryce Edwards (lecturer in Politics at the University of Otago). Published 19 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.</ref>

The party also announced as part of its 'Families Package' it would lower the bottom rate of tax to 9%, introduce a new top rate of tax of 40% on those with an income over $150,000 and increase all core benefits by 20%.<ref>[http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/335209/video-turei-says-if-asked-she-will-pay-money-back 'Poverty should never be used as a weapon' – Metiria Turei] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722192443/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/335209/video-turei-says-if-asked-she-will-pay-money-back |date=22 July 2017 }}. ''Radio New Zealand''. Published 17 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.</ref>

Another policy announced by the party was the proposed introduction of an interim $0.10 per litre excise levy on bottled water. This would be in place until "a proposed working party helped develop a system to charge all commercial water users 'a fair amount'".<ref>{{cite news |first= Cherie |last= Sivignon |date= 9 July 2017 |title= Greens announce 10c excise levy plan for bottled water at election campaign launch |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/94546865/greens-announce-10c-excise-levy-plan-for-bottled-water-at-election-campaign-launch |website= [[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |access-date= 12 July 2017 |archive-date= 8 October 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171008131716/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/94546865/greens-announce-10c-excise-levy-plan-for-bottled-water-at-election-campaign-launch |url-status= live }}</ref>

On 16 July 2017, co-leader Metiria Turei publicly admitted that she had not disclosed to [[Ministry of Social Development (New Zealand)|Work and Income New Zealand]] that she was accepting rent from flatmates while on the Domestic Purposes Benefit in the early 1990s,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/94777073/benefit-raise-tax-cuts-for-poorest-and-hikes-for-wealthy-in-news-greens-policy |title=Benefit raise, tax cuts for poorest and hikes for wealthy in new Greens policy |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |date=16 June 2017 |access-date=30 July 2017 |archive-date=30 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730122712/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/94777073/benefit-raise-tax-cuts-for-poorest-and-hikes-for-wealthy-in-news-greens-policy |url-status=live }}</ref> and admitted on 3 August 2017 that she had registered a false residential address to vote for a friend who was running in the Mount Albert electorate in [[1993 New Zealand general election|1993]].<ref name="Stuff-04Aug2017">{{cite web |last=Kirk |first=Stacey |author-link=Stacey Kirk |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95393791/metiria-turei-faces-investigators-looking-into-her-admission-of-historical-benefit-fraud |title=Metiria Turei admits she registered a false address to vote |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |date=4 August 2017 |access-date=8 August 2017 |archive-date=8 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808153508/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95393791/metiria-turei-faces-investigators-looking-into-her-admission-of-historical-benefit-fraud |url-status=live }}</ref> On 7 August 2017,<ref>{{cite web|url= https://m.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1708/S00139/james-shaw-on-kennedy-graham-and-david-clendon.htm|title= Statement from James Shaw on Kennedy Graham and David Clendon|date= 7 August 2017|access-date= 8 August 2017|publisher=[[Scoop (website)|Scoop.co.nz]]|archive-date= 8 August 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170808114826/https://m.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1708/S00139/james-shaw-on-kennedy-graham-and-david-clendon.htm|url-status= live}}</ref> MPs [[David Clendon]] and [[Kennedy Graham]] announced that they planned to resign as Green Party candidates for the 2017 election, due to Turei's revelations and her handling of the resulting situation.<ref name="graham-clendon-rnz-1" /> Both Clendon and Graham resigned from the party caucus the following day,<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95549623/greens-in-crisis-metiria-turei-stays-on-despite-mps-quitting |title= Rogue Green MPs withdraw from caucus – party 'united' behind co-leader Metiria Turei |access-date= 8 August 2017 |date= 8 August 2017 |website= [[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |archive-date= 8 August 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170808074702/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95549623/greens-in-crisis-metiria-turei-stays-on-despite-mps-quitting |url-status= live }}</ref> after the party made moves to remove them involuntarily.<ref name="graham-clendon-rnz-1">{{cite web|url= http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/top/336665/video-green-party-in-chaos-after-two-mps-rebel|title= Green Party in chaos after two MPs rebel|access-date= 8 August 2017|date= 8 August 2017|publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]]|first1= Jane|last1= Patterson|first2= Craig|last2= McCulloch|archive-date= 7 August 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170807234939/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/top/336665/video-green-party-in-chaos-after-two-mps-rebel|url-status= live}}</ref>

On 9 August 2017, Turei resigned as co-leader and as a list candidate for the 2017 election, saying that the "scrutiny on [her] family has become unbearable".<ref name="rnz-turei-resigns">{{Cite news|url= http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/336828/live-metiria-turei-resigns-as-green-party-co-leader|title= Metiria Turei resigns as Green Party co-leader|date= 9 August 2017|publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]]|access-date= 9 August 2017|archive-date= 9 August 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170809051852/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/336828/live-metiria-turei-resigns-as-green-party-co-leader|url-status= live}}</ref> She campaigned in the [[Te Tai Tonga]] Māori electorate,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/336828/how-it-happened-turei-resigns-as-green-co-leader|access-date=20 August 2017|title=How it happened: Turei resigns as Green co-leader|date=9 August 2017|publisher=Radio NZ – radionz.co.nz|archive-date=12 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812033728/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/336828/how-it-happened-turei-resigns-as-green-co-leader|url-status=live}}</ref> and retired from Parliament at the election.<ref name="rnz-turei-resigns" /> Per their constitution, the Green Party will choose a replacement co-leader at the next annual general meeting in 2018, leaving [[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|James Shaw]] as the sole party leader through the election campaign.<ref name="rnz-turei-resigns" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.elections.org.nz/sites/default/files/parties/rules/green_party_rules_june_2012.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=12 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010185415/http://www.elections.org.nz/sites/default/files/parties/rules/green_party_rules_june_2012.pdf |archive-date=10 October 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 21 August 2017, the party promised free public transport for students and those aged under 19, to be achieved by means of a "green card". Green Party transport spokeswoman [[Julie Anne Genter]] said the cost of the card would be $70–80&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11908094|access-date=21 August 2017|title=Greens promise free public transport for students and young people|date=21 August 2017|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|archive-date=21 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821092500/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11908094|url-status=live}}</ref>

The party announced plans on 2 September 2017 to counter pollution by introducing a tax on farmers of $2 per kilogram of nitrate (fertiliser), which it said would raise about $136&nbsp;million per year. The party would also distribute funds and allow concessions to the agricultural sector in response to declining water quality.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96431375/greens-to-tax-pollution-to-help-fund-sustainable-farming|access-date=2 September 2017|title=Greens to tax pollution to help fund sustainable farming|date=2 September 2017|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|archive-date=2 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902050808/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96431375/greens-to-tax-pollution-to-help-fund-sustainable-farming|url-status=live}}</ref>

Leader James Shaw said on 17 September 2017 that the party wanted a capital gains tax, exclusive of the family home, to be implemented in the first year after the election, if Labour and the Greens formed a coalition government. Labour had already said that if it became the government, any capital gains tax recommendations made by its tax working group would not be implemented until after the 2020 election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/339581/greens-target-capital-gains-tax-but-labour-won-t-budge|access-date=17 September 2017|title=Greens target capital gains tax but Labour won't budge|date=17 September 2017|publisher=Radio NZ – radionz.co.nz|archive-date=17 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917124547/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/339581/greens-target-capital-gains-tax-but-labour-won-t-budge|url-status=live}}</ref>

====New Zealand First====
New Zealand First launched its campaign in [[Palmerston North]] on 25 June 2017. Announced policies included ring-fencing GST to the regions it is collected from, writing off student loans of people willing to work outside major centres,<ref>{{cite news |title= NZ First launches on loans and regional returns |url= http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/333769/nz-first-launches-on-loans-and-regional-returns |date= 25 June 2017 |publisher=Radio New Zealand |access-date= 12 July 2017 |archive-date= 29 June 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170629221855/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/333769/nz-first-launches-on-loans-and-regional-returns |url-status= live }}</ref> cutting net immigration to 10,000 per year, retaining the superannuation age at 65, and holding two binding referendums on whether Māori electorates should be abolished and whether the number of MPs should be reduced to 100.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/94776411/winston-peters-delivers-bottomline-binding-referendum-on-abolishing-maori-seats|title=Winston Peters delivers bottom-line binding referendum on abolishing Maori seats|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|date=16 July 2017|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|access-date=26 July 2017|archive-date=29 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729002152/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/94776411/winston-peters-delivers-bottomline-binding-referendum-on-abolishing-maori-seats|url-status=live}}</ref>

New Zealand First also campaigned on increasing the minimum wage to $17.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/06/state-of-the-parties-new-zealand-first-report-card.html|title=State of the Parties: New Zealand First report card|work=Newshub|date=19 June 2017|publisher=newshub.co.nz|access-date=12 August 2017|archive-date=7 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807114818/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/06/state-of-the-parties-new-zealand-first-report-card.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They would later increase it to $20.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/new-zealand-first-sets-20-minimum-wage-goal-if-part-government|title=New Zealand First sets $20 minimum wage goal if part of new government|publisher=tvnz.co.nz|access-date=25 August 2017|archive-date=18 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818134402/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/new-zealand-first-sets-20-minimum-wage-goal-if-part-government|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 31 August 2017, party leader Winston Peters announced a policy of relocating the [[Port of Auckland]] to [[Marsden Point]] by 2027.<ref>{{cite web |first1= Brad |last1= Flahive |first2= Adam |last2= Jacobson |date= 31 August 2017 |title= Winston Peters promises shift of Auckland port to Northland |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/96340312/winston-peters-promises-shift-of-auckland-port-to-northland |website= [[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |access-date= 3 September 2017 |archive-date= 3 September 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170903072445/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/96340312/winston-peters-promises-shift-of-auckland-port-to-northland |url-status= live }}</ref> Peters had vowed in July that a Northport [[Marsden Point Branch|rail connection to Marsden Point]] at a cost of up to $1&nbsp;billion was non-negotiable in any post–election coalition between NZ First and either National or Labour.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/07/northland-rail-going-to-happen-winston-peters-promises.html|access-date=3 September 2017|title=Northland rail 'going to happen', Winston Peters promises|date=15 July 2017|work=Newshub|archive-date=3 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903075429/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/07/northland-rail-going-to-happen-winston-peters-promises.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Māori ====
The Māori Party election campaign focused on protecting indigenous rights by providing an independent voice for Māori. The party's [[whānau]] based policies focuses on obtaining affordable housing to help Māori in low-wage jobs,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.maoriparty.org/housing_policy_2017|title=Housing: Creating a pathway to hope|work=Maori Party|access-date=9 May 2018|archive-date=10 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510115800/http://www.maoriparty.org/housing_policy_2017|url-status=live}}</ref> strengthening employment-support for Māori beneficiaries<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.maoriparty.org/employment_policy_2017|title=Employment: Mahia te mahi|work=Maori Party|access-date=9 May 2018|archive-date=10 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510115855/http://www.maoriparty.org/employment_policy_2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and making Te Reo Māori and Māori history core curriculum subjects in all schools up to year 10.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.maoriparty.org/te_reo_maori_policy_2017|title=Te Reo Māori: Language of Aotearoa|work=Maori Party|access-date=9 May 2018|archive-date=10 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510183900/http://www.maoriparty.org/te_reo_maori_policy_2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

The party's policies on [[rangatiratanga]] focused on [[climate change mitigation|combating climate change]] in the Pacific to alleviate environmental destruction of our neighbouring Pacific nation and scholarships for Māori and Pasifika students to strengthen recruitment and retention of these students in tertiary institutions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.maoriparty.org/pasefika_policy_2017|title=Pasefika: He kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea|work=Maori Party|access-date=9 May 2018|archive-date=10 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510183927/http://www.maoriparty.org/pasefika_policy_2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

The party's policies on [[kāwanatanga]] focused on protecting freshwater as [[tāonga]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.maoriparty.org/environment_policy_2017|title=Environment: He tāonga te wai|work=Maori Party|access-date=9 May 2018|archive-date=10 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510115614/http://www.maoriparty.org/environment_policy_2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and growing iwi economic resources.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.maoriparty.org/economic_policy_2017|title=Economic: Waking up the taniwha|work=Maori Party|access-date=9 May 2018|archive-date=10 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510184217/http://www.maoriparty.org/economic_policy_2017|url-status=live}}</ref> They released a policy for a new rail scheme called IwiRail<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.maoriparty.org/iwirail_launch|title=IwiRail: A vision for empowering our regions|work=Maori Party|access-date=9 May 2018|archive-date=10 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510183955/http://www.maoriparty.org/iwirail_launch|url-status=live}}</ref> which they said would open up the regions to freight and tourism. Since the [[2008 New Zealand general election|2008 general election]], the party provided parliamentary support to the [[Fifth National Government of New Zealand|Fifth National Government]].

In previous elections their policies included improving public transport with fewer emissions, giving tax breaks to lower income earners, taking [[Goods and Services Tax (New Zealand)|GST]] off food products, and banning the use of controversial [[sodium fluoroacetate|1080 poison]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/general/maori-party-policies-at-a-glance-2011112309|title=Maori Party policies at a glance|date=22 November 2011|work=Newshub|access-date=8 August 2017|archive-date=10 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810014138/http://www.newshub.co.nz/general/maori-party-policies-at-a-glance-2011112309|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== ACT ====
Since the [[2008 New Zealand general election|2008 general election]], the party provided parliamentary support to the [[Fifth National Government of New Zealand|Fifth National Government]].

ACT announced policies including tax cuts, with the top personal tax bracket reducing from 33% to 25%,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1705/S00240/budget-2017-acts-substantial-tax-cut-plan.htm|title=Budget 2017: ACT's substantial tax cut plan {{!}} Scoop News|website=www.scoop.co.nz|access-date=9 August 2017|archive-date=9 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809171126/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1705/S00240/budget-2017-acts-substantial-tax-cut-plan.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://act.org.nz/tax/|title=Tax. It's your money.|publisher=ACT New Zealand|access-date=8 July 2017|archive-date=26 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026082004/http://act.org.nz/tax/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=August 2017}} and raising the age of superannuation<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/03/act-party-scathing-of-govt-s-super-policy.html|title=ACT party scathing of Govt's super policy|date=7 March 2017|work=Newshub|access-date=9 August 2017|archive-date=9 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809171923/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/03/act-party-scathing-of-govt-s-super-policy.html|url-status=live}}</ref> from 65 to 67 gradually every 2 months starting in 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://act.org.nz/superannuation/|title=Superannuation|publisher=ACT New Zealand|access-date=7 August 2017|archive-date=22 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122215341/http://act.org.nz/superannuation/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=August 2017}}

==== The Opportunities Party (TOP) ====
In taxation, the party proposed to deem a minimum rate of return for all assets (including housing, land and business assets) and charge a tax on it. At the same time, reduce income tax rates so that the total tax take would remain unchanged. The changes would be done gradually to ensure house prices remain stable while incomes grow.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cantin |first1=John |last2=Elwela |first2=Darshana |date=15 December 2016 |title=The Opportunities Party asset tax policy released |url=https://home.kpmg.com/content/dam/kpmg/nz/pdf/Dec/taxmail-issue1-december-2016-kpmg-nz.pdf |journal=TaxMail |publisher=KPMG |access-date=20 August 2017 |archive-date=20 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820114745/https://home.kpmg.com/content/dam/kpmg/nz/pdf/Dec/taxmail-issue1-december-2016-kpmg-nz.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The party considered the existing tax regime to favour owners of capital and to over-tax wage earners, to favour home-owners and to disadvantage those who rent their home, and to encourage investment in real estate rather than productive businesses.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.top.org.nz/top1 |title=Tax reform |publisher=The Opportunities Party |access-date=20 August 2017 |archive-date=21 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821084255/http://www.top.org.nz/top1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

They would tighten immigration laws and shift the focus to attracting highly skilled migrants. Criteria for immigrants would involve demonstrating they can help improve the living standards of all New Zealanders, limiting net immigration to 1% population growth per annum (i.e. 47,900 based on June 2017 population),<ref>{{cite web |url= http://m.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/population/estimates_and_projections/NationalPopulationEstimates_HOTPAt30Jun17.aspx |title= National Population Estimates: At 30 June 2017 |publisher=Statistics New Zealand |date= 14 August 2017 |access-date= 20 August 2017 |archive-date= 20 August 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170820115311/http://m.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/population/estimates_and_projections/NationalPopulationEstimates_HOTPAt30Jun17.aspx |url-status= live }}</ref> and making access to permanent residency harder and longer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.top.org.nz/top2 |title=Smarter immigration |publisher=The Opportunities Party |access-date=20 August 2017 |archive-date=23 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823053300/http://www.top.org.nz/top2 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The party's founder, Gareth Morgan, announced plans to almost halve the number of prison inmates by 2027. Morgan said "New Zealand has some of the world's worst and most outdated criminal justice policies", and to reduce the prison population by 40%, the party wanted to scrap the 'three strikes' law, extend eligibility for the Youth Court to offenders under 20, and increase funding for restorative justice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95751164/gareth-morgan-wants-to-reduce-prison-population-by-40-per-cent|access-date=14 August 2017|title=Gareth Morgan wants to reduce prison population by 40 per cent|date=14 August 2017|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|archive-date=14 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814174004/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95751164/gareth-morgan-wants-to-reduce-prison-population-by-40-per-cent|url-status=live}}</ref>

====United Future====
On 21 August 2017, United Future leader and sole MP [[Peter Dunne]] announced that he was quitting politics at the election, citing recent polling and his perception that there was a mood for change in his seat of [[Ōhāriu (New Zealand electorate)|Ōhāriu]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11908155|access-date=21 August 2017|title=United Future leader and Ohariu MP Peter Dunne quits politics|date=21 August 2017|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|archive-date=21 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821084655/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11908155|url-status=live}}</ref> United Future's candidate for the Botany electorate took over as leader shortly after, promising to move his party towards Labour because of its stance on social issues.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/09/meet-damian-light-united-future-s-new-leader.html|access-date=13 September 2017|title=Meet Damian Light, United Future's New Leader|date=7 September 2017|work=Newshub|archive-date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908221247/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/09/meet-damian-light-united-future-s-new-leader.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Major debates===
Television New Zealand ([[TVNZ]]) hosted three television leaders' debates; two between the National and Labour leaders, and one where the leaders of the secondary and minor parties were also invited. The two National-Labour debates were to be moderated by [[Newstalk ZB]] and ''[[Seven Sharp]]'' host [[Mike Hosking]]. Hosking withdrew from moderating the multi-party debate due to illness; the debate was instead moderated by ''1 News'' political editor Corin Dann.<ref>{{cite news |title= Mike Hosking too unwell to host TVNZ's second debate |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/96624856/mike-hosking-too-unwell-to-host-tvnzs-second-debate |website= [[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |date= 7 September 2017 |access-date= 7 September 2017 |archive-date= 7 September 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170907181245/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/96624856/mike-hosking-too-unwell-to-host-tvnzs-second-debate |url-status= live }}</ref> It also hosted an online debate focusing on young voters and youth issues, moderated by ''[[Breakfast (TVNZ)|Breakfast]]'' host [[Jack Tame]].<ref name="TVNZdebates" />

To be able to participate in their multiparty leaders debate, TVNZ requires a party to have an MP already in parliament, or be polling above 3% in the most recent One News/Colmar Brunton poll. Polling at 1.9%, new party TOP met neither of those criteria. Party leader Gareth Morgan filed an urgent judicial review, arguing that as he was polling higher than ACT, United Future and the Mãori party (who all fit the criteria by having at least one MP in parliament), his party had a right to be involved in the debates and TOP's exclusion was problematic. The case was heard at the [[Auckland High Court]] on 7 September, with the judge ultimately ruling against Morgan.<ref name="TOPdebate" /><ref>{{cite court |litigants= Morgan v Television New Zealand Limited |vol= [2017] |reporter= NZHC |opinion= 2178 |date= 7 September 2017 |url= https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/pdf/jdo/6a/alfresco/service/api/node/content/workspace/SpacesStore/ac91731c-1fa3-4812-a123-3587f78fe4f3/ac91731c-1fa3-4812-a123-3587f78fe4f3.pdf |access-date= 28 May 2018 }}</ref>

[[Three (New Zealand)|Three]] hosted one television leaders' debate between the National and Labour leaders on 4 September. The debate was moderated by ''[[Newshub]]'' political editor [[Patrick Gower]].<ref name="TV3debates" />

[[Fairfax New Zealand|Fairfax]] again hosted a debate, the ''[[Stuff.co.nz|Stuff]]'' Leaders Debate (formerly called ''[[The Press]]'' Leaders Debate), between the National and Labour leaders on 7 September. It was moderated by Fairfax's South Island editor-in-chief [[Joanna Norris]] and ''Stuff'' political editor Tracy Watkins, and was streamed online.<ref name="stuffdebates" />

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan=3| Date !! rowspan=3| Organiser(s) !! rowspan=3| Subject !! colspan=9| Participants
|-
! [[New Zealand National Party|National]] !! [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]] !! [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green]] !! [[New Zealand First|NZ First]] !! [[Māori Party|Māori]] !! [[ACT New Zealand|ACT]] !! [[United Future]] !! [[Mana Movement|Mana]] !! [[The Opportunities Party|TOP]]
|-
! style="background:{{party color|New Zealand National Party}}"| !! style="background:{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}"| !! style="background:{{party color|Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand}}"| !! style="background:{{party color|New Zealand First}}"| !! style="background:{{party color|Māori Party}}"| !! style="background:{{party color|ACT New Zealand}}"| !! style="background:{{party color|United Future New Zealand}}"| !! style="background:{{party color|Mana Movement}}"| !! style="background:{{party color|The Opportunities Party}}"|
|-
| 22 August || [[Māori Television|Māori TV]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Election Aotearoa: The first leadership debate kicks off |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96030041/election-aotearoa--leadership-debate |date=22 August 2017 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |access-date=22 August 2017 |archive-date=22 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822143404/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96030041/election-aotearoa--leadership-debate |url-status=live }}</ref> || Māori voters || {{No|Absent}} || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Kelvin Davis (politician)|Davis]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|Shaw]]</small> || {{No|Absent}} || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Te Ururoa Flavell|Flavell]]</small> || {{No|Absent}} || {{No|Absent}} || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Hone Harawira|Harawira]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Gareth Morgan (economist)|Morgan]]</small>
|-
| 26 August || [[Three (New Zealand)|Three]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Minor Parties Debate |url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/shows/2017/08/minor-parties-debate.html |date=26 August 2017 |access-date=26 August 2017 |archive-date=26 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826115527/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/shows/2017/08/minor-parties-debate.html |url-status=live }}</ref> || || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|Shaw]]</small> || {{No|Absent}} || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Marama Fox|Fox]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[David Seymour|Seymour]]</small> || {{No|Absent}} || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Hone Harawira|Harawira]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Gareth Morgan (economist)|Morgan]]</small>
|-
| 30 August || [[ASB Bank|ASB]] / [[Newshub]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/decision-17-livestream-the-asb-great-finance-debate.html|title=Decision 17 livestream: The ASB Great Finance Debate|work=Newshub|publisher=newshub.co.nz|access-date=30 August 2017|archive-date=30 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830191659/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/decision-17-livestream-the-asb-great-finance-debate.html|url-status=live}}</ref> || Finance || {{Yes|Present}} <br /><small>[[Steven Joyce|Joyce]]</small>|| {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Grant Robertson|Robertson]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|Shaw]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}} <br /><small>[[Winston Peters|Peters]]</small> || {{n/a|Not invited}}|| {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[David Seymour|Seymour]]</small> || {{n/a|Not invited}}|| {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}}
|-
| 31 August || [[Television New Zealand|TVNZ]]<ref name="TVNZdebates">{{cite news |title= TVNZ's election leaders debate dates and coverage team for September's vote revealed |url= https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/tvnzs-election-leaders-debate-dates-and-coverage-team-septembers-vote-revealed |publisher=Television New Zealand |date= 10 August 2017 |access-date= 19 August 2017 |archive-date= 19 August 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170819144835/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/tvnzs-election-leaders-debate-dates-and-coverage-team-septembers-vote-revealed |url-status= live }}</ref> || || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Bill English|English]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}} <br /><small>[[Jacinda Ardern|Ardern]]</small>|| {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}}
|-
| 4 September || [[Three (New Zealand)|Three]]<ref name="TV3debates">{{cite news|title= Duncan Garner, Patrick Gower, Lisa Owen to front Three's election coverage|url= http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/duncan-garner-patrick-gower-lisa-owen-to-front-three-s-election-coverage.html|publisher=Newshub|date= 17 August 2017|access-date= 19 August 2017|archive-date= 19 August 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170819151024/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/duncan-garner-patrick-gower-lisa-owen-to-front-three-s-election-coverage.html|url-status= live}}</ref> || || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Bill English|English]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}} <br /><small>[[Jacinda Ardern|Ardern]]</small> || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}}
|-
| 6 September || [[The Spinoff]]<ref>{{cite news|title= The Spinoff Great Debate – 7pm Tonight on Facebook Live|url= https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/06-09-2017/the-spinoff-great-debate-7pm-tonight-on-facebook-live/|publisher=The Spinoff|date= 6 September 2017|access-date= 9 September 2017|archive-date= 9 September 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170909094927/https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/06-09-2017/the-spinoff-great-debate-7pm-tonight-on-facebook-live/|url-status= live}}</ref> || || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Paula Bennett|Bennett]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}} <br /><small>[[Kelvin Davis (politician)|Davis]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}} <br /><small>[[Marama Davidson|Davidson]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Shane Jones|Jones]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Marama Fox|Fox]]</small> ||  {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[David Seymour|Seymour]]</small> || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Gareth Morgan (economist)|Morgan]]</small>
|-
| 7 September || ''[[Stuff.co.nz|Stuff]]''<ref name="stuffdebates">{{cite news |date= 6 September 2017 |title= Stuff Leaders Debate promises to 'test the mettle' of main party leaders |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96576580/stuff-leaders-debate-promises-to-test-the-mettle-of-main-party-leaders |website= [[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |access-date= 7 September 2017 |archive-date= 7 December 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211207010507/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96576580/stuff-leaders-debate-promises-to-test-the-mettle-of-main-party-leaders |url-status= live }}</ref> || || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Bill English|English]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Jacinda Ardern|Ardern]]</small> || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}}
|-
| 8 September || [[Television New Zealand|TVNZ]]<ref name="TVNZdebates" /><ref name="TVNZmultiparty">{{cite news |first= Bryce |last= Edwards |date= 8 September 2017 |title= Political Roundup: Tonight's shrinking leaders debate |url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11919857 |work= The New Zealand Herald |access-date= 9 September 2017 |archive-date= 9 September 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170909000417/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11919857 |url-status= live }}</ref> || ||{{No|Absent}} ||{{No|Absent}} ||{{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|Shaw]]</small> ||{{No|Absent}} || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Marama Fox|Fox]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[David Seymour|Seymour]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Damian Light|Light]]</small>  || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}}<ref name="TOPdebate" >{{cite news |first1= Tommy |last1= Livingston |first2= Henry |last2= Cooke |date= 7 September 2017 |title= High Court rules TVNZ in the right to not allow Gareth Morgan's TOP in debate |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96592417/gareth-morgan-taking-tvnz-to-court |website= [[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |access-date= 7 September 2017 |archive-date= 7 September 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170907122053/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96592417/gareth-morgan-taking-tvnz-to-court |url-status= live }}</ref>
|-
| 14 September || [[Stuff.co.nz|Stuff]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96862281/watch-the-stuff-finance-debate|title=Watch the Stuff Finance Debate|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|date=14 September 2017|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|access-date=14 September 2017|archive-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914220552/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96862281/watch-the-stuff-finance-debate|url-status=live}}</ref> || Finance || {{Yes|Present}} <br /><small>[[Steven Joyce|Joyce]]</small>|| {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Grant Robertson|Robertson]]</small> ||{{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}}|| {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}}|| {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}}
|-
| 14 September || [[Television New Zealand|TVNZ]]<ref name="TVNZdebates" /> || Young voters ||{{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Chris Bishop (politician)|Bishop]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Kris Faafoi|Faafoi]]</small>||{{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Chlöe Swarbrick|Swarbrick]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Darroch Ball|Ball]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>Stoddart-Smith</small> || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[David Seymour|Seymour]]</small> ||{{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Damian Light|Light]]</small> ||{{n/a|Not invited}} ||{{n/a|Not invited}}
|-
| 19 September || [[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF NZ]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/96994306/world-wildlife-fund-for-nature-invites-parties-to-join-in-climate-change-debate|title=World Wildlife Fund for Nature invites parties to join in climate change debate|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|date=19 September 2017|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-date=24 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924141652/https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/96994306/world-wildlife-fund-for-nature-invites-parties-to-join-in-climate-change-debate|url-status=live}}</ref> || Environment  ||{{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Andrew Bayly|Bayly]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Megan Woods|Woods]]</small>||{{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[James Shaw (New Zealand politician)|Shaw]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Denis O'Rourke|O'Rourke]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>Stoddart-Smith</small> || {{No|Absent}} ||{{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Damian Light|Light]]</small> ||{{No|Absent}}||{{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>Moore</small>
|-
| 20 September || [[Television New Zealand|TVNZ]]<ref name="TVNZdebates" /> || || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Bill English|English]]</small> || {{Yes|Present}}<br /><small>[[Jacinda Ardern|Ardern]]</small> || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}} || {{n/a|Not invited}}
|}

===Endorsements===
Unlike in some other countries, political endorsements in New Zealand by media and people outside the political sphere are rare.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10515746/Political-endorsements-rare-in-New-Zealand|title=Political endorsements rare in New Zealand|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|date=18 September 2014|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|access-date=26 July 2017|archive-date=15 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815135859/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10515746/Political-endorsements-rare-in-New-Zealand|url-status=live}}</ref> The following people and organisations endorsed parties and candidates:

;National Party
* [[Mark Richardson (cricketer)|Mark Richardson]], radio and television host and former Black Cap<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/96705816/mark-richardson-declares-himself-as-a-national-supporter-does-that-matter|title=Mark Richardson declares himself as a National supporter, does that matter?|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|date=12 September 2017|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|access-date=14 September 2017|archive-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914173418/https://i.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/96705816/mark-richardson-declares-himself-as-a-national-supporter-does-that-matter|url-status=live}}</ref>

;Labour Party
* [[Jeremy Corbyn]], leader of the [[Labour Party (UK)|British Labour Party]]<ref>{{cite news |title= 'Jacinda, do it for all of us' – Jeremy Corbyn |url= http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/09/jacinda-do-it-for-all-of-us-jeremy-corbyn.html |work=Newshub |date= 7 September 2017 |access-date= 6 September 2017 |archive-date= 7 September 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170907034256/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/09/jacinda-do-it-for-all-of-us-jeremy-corbyn.html |url-status= live }}</ref>
* [[Dick Hubbard]], former Mayor of Auckland<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11923168 |title=Businessman and former mayor Dick Hubbard endorses Labour over climate change |website=The New Zealand Herald |date=17 September 2017 |access-date=17 September 2017 |archive-date=17 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917020948/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11923168 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Hollie Smith]], singer<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11907698|title=Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern, Helen Clark at campaign launch|website=The New Zealand Herald|access-date=30 August 2017|archive-date=30 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830153434/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11907698|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[David Tua]], boxer<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/27-08-2017/jacinda-ardern-storms-the-markets-of-south-auckland/|title=Jacinda Ardern storms the markets of South Auckland|date=27 August 2017|access-date=30 August 2017|archive-date=30 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830150345/https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/27-08-2017/jacinda-ardern-storms-the-markets-of-south-auckland/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Guy Williams (comedian)|Guy Williams]], comedian<ref name="newshub.co.nz">{{cite news|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/01/why-guy-williams-supports-labour-and-the-greens.html|title=Why Guy Williams supports Labour and the Greens|work=Newshub|date=17 September 2017|publisher=newshub.co.nz|access-date=17 September 2017|archive-date=17 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917123520/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/01/why-guy-williams-supports-labour-and-the-greens.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Anika Moa]], singer<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/Anika_Moa/status/911028273399791616 |title=Twitter |publisher=Mobile.twitter.com |access-date=23 September 2017 |archive-date=7 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207010507/https://mobile.twitter.com/Anika_Moa/status/911028273399791616 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Taika Waititi]], filmmaker<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/TaikaWaititi/status/910996720053493761 |title=Twitter |publisher=Mobile.twitter.com |access-date=23 September 2017 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901130135/https://mobile.twitter.com/TaikaWaititi/status/910996720053493761 |url-status=live }}</ref>

;Green Party
* [[Gordon McLauchlan]], author<ref>[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1707/S00093/author-gordon-mclauchlan-supports-green-party.htm Author Gordon McLauchlan supports Green Party] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709070557/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1707/S00093/author-gordon-mclauchlan-supports-green-party.htm |date=9 July 2017 }}. Scoop. Published 7 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.</ref>
* [[Guy Williams (comedian)|Guy Williams]], comedian<ref name="newshub.co.nz"/>

; {{NZ electorate link|Epsom}} – [[David Seymour]] for ACT
* [[Bill English]], Prime Minister and leader of National Party<ref name="ACTUF">{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95119031/bill-english-calls-for-tactical-voting-in-epsom-ohariu-to-elect-support-party-leaders|title=Bill English calls for tactical voting in Epsom, Ohariu to elect support party leaders|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|date=26 July 2017|publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]]|access-date=26 July 2017|archive-date=30 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830203615/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95119031/bill-english-calls-for-tactical-voting-in-epsom-ohariu-to-elect-support-party-leaders|url-status=live}}</ref>

; {{NZ electorate link|Ōhāriu}} – [[Peter Dunne]] for United Future (until his resignation on 21 August 2017)
* [[Bill English]]<ref name="ACTUF"/>
* Brett Hudson, National Party candidate for Ōhāriu<ref>[https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95988656/peter-dunne-resigns-from-politics-only-weeks-out-from-the-election "Peter Dunne resigns from politics only weeks out from the election"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922141323/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95988656/peter-dunne-resigns-from-politics-only-weeks-out-from-the-election |date=22 September 2017 }}.[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]. 7 July 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2018.</ref>

==Opinion polling==
{{main|Opinion polling for the 2017 New Zealand general election}}

Opinion polls have been undertaken periodically since the 2014 election, primarily by [[MediaWorks New Zealand]], [[Roy Morgan Research]], and [[Television New Zealand]]. The graph on the left below shows the collated results of all polls for parties that polled above the 5% electoral threshold at the 2014 election; the graph on the right shows results for parties that polled between 1% and 4.9%, or won an electorate seat, at the 2014 election.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto;"
|-
| [[File:NZ opinion polls 2014-2017-majorparties.png|450px]]
| [[File:NZ opinion polls 2014-2017-minorparties.png|450px]]
|}

===Seat predictions===
{{2017 NZ election forecasts}}

==Post-election events==

===Leadership changes===
{{main|2018 Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand female co-leadership election}}
[[Metiria Turei]] stepped down as co-leader of the Green Party during the campaign period and the party did not elect a replacement before the election.<ref name="Co-Leader resigns">{{cite news |url=https://www.greens.org.nz/news/press-release/green-party-co-leader-metiria-turei-resigns-co-leader |title=Green Party Co-Leader Metiria Turei resigns as Co-leader |date=9 August 2017 |access-date=28 August 2017 |archive-date=28 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828143530/https://www.greens.org.nz/news/press-release/green-party-co-leader-metiria-turei-resigns-co-leader |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018 she was succeeded by [[Marama Davidson]].

===Local by-elections===
The following [[Local government in New Zealand|local by-elections]] were required due to the resignation of an incumbent local body politician following their election to Parliament:
* '''Hastings by-elections, [[Hastings District Council]]:''' Two by-elections were held in Hastings in 2017 after the resignations of Mayor [[Lawrence Yule]] who was elected MP for {{NZ electorate link|Tukituki}} and councillor Adrienne Pierce, who stood down from the council in August to contest {{NZ electorate link|Palmerston North}} for National.<ref>{{cite web |author=McAndrew, Ruby |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97331587/six-candidates-put-their-hats-in-the-ring-to-be-mayor-of-hastings |title=Six candidates put their hats in the ring to be mayor of Hastings |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |date=28 September 2017 |access-date=6 October 2017 |archive-date=6 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006113102/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97331587/six-candidates-put-their-hats-in-the-ring-to-be-mayor-of-hastings |url-status=live }}</ref> Sitting councillor and deputy mayor Sandra Hazlehurst won the election to fill Yule's vacancy, necessitating a subsequent by-election in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11947761 |title=Hastings elects first woman mayor |work=Hawke's Bay Today |publisher=NZME. |date=25 November 2017 |access-date=17 January 2017 |archive-date=24 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124184318/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11947761 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* '''[[List of by-elections to the Wellington City Council#2017 by-election, Southern Ward|Southern Ward by-election]], [[Wellington City Council]]:''' Deputy Mayor of Wellington [[Paul Eagle]] resigned his seat on the council after he was elected MP for {{NZ electorate link|Rongotai}}, necessitating a council by-election in the Southern Ward.<ref>{{cite web |author=McAndrew, Ruby |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/97183156/just-when-you-thought-it-was-safe-to-relax--its-back-to-the-polls-in-wellington-and-hastings |title=Just when you thought it was safe to relax ... it's back to the polls in Wellington and Hastings |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |date=24 September 2017 |access-date=25 September 2017 |archive-date=25 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925132524/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/97183156/just-when-you-thought-it-was-safe-to-relax--its-back-to-the-polls-in-wellington-and-hastings |url-status=live }}</ref>
* '''Bay of Islands–Whangaroa Ward by-election, [[Far North District Council]]:''' Councillor [[Willow-Jean Prime]] resigned to take her place as a Labour Party List MP. The by-election to replace her was held in February 2018, with Kelly Stratford defeating former Green MP [[David Clendon]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/local-government/news/article.cfm?c_id=250&objectid=11964823 |title=Nominations for Kaipara mayoralty and Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward byelections close |author=Ali, Imran |work=Northern Advocate |publisher=NZME. |date=23 December 2017 |access-date=17 January 2017 |archive-date=24 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224025300/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/local-government/news/article.cfm?c_id=250&objectid=11964823 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2018-02-16|title=New mayor for Dargaville, new councillor for Far North|language=en-NZ|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11996573|access-date=2020-10-06|issn=1170-0777|archive-date=27 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227203026/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11996573|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''Auckland by-elections, [[Auckland Council]]:''' By-elections were held in 2018 to fill vacancies on the Maungakiekie-Tamaki Ward and the Manurewa Local Board when [[Denise Lee]] and [[Simeon Brown]] were elected as Members of Parliament for [[Maungakiekie (New Zealand electorate)|Maungakiekie]] and [[Pakuranga (New Zealand electorate)|Pakuranga]], respectively.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/97207973/auckland-ratepayers-to-foot-the-bill-for-two-byelections-resulting-from-general-election |title=Auckland ratepayers to foot the bill for two by-elections resulting from general election |author=Pasley, James |work=Central Leader |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |date=27 September 2017 |access-date=17 January 2018 |archive-date=17 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117132621/https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/97207973/auckland-ratepayers-to-foot-the-bill-for-two-byelections-resulting-from-general-election |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Electoral offences===
On 2 October 2017, the [[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] referred four alleged electoral offences to [[New Zealand Police|Police]]. These all involved social media posts of electoral statements during the [[election silence]] period of midnight to 7:00pm on election day – a breach of section 197(1)(g)(i) of the Electoral Act. Two of these incidents concerned [[Sean Plunket]], the communications director of [[The Opportunities Party]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Referral to the Police – 2 October 2017|url=http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/referral-police-2-october-2017|publisher=Electoral Commission|date=2 October 2017|access-date=7 October 2017|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007021627/http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/referral-police-2-october-2017|url-status=live}}</ref> On 18 October 2017, the Electoral Commission referred a subsequent offence to Police about [[Television New Zealand|TVNZ]] re-broadcasting a bulletin of ''[[Te Karere]]'' during the silence period.<ref>{{cite web|title=Referral to the Police – 19 October 2017|url=http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/referral-police-19-october-2017|publisher=Electoral Commission|date=19 October 2017|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-date=18 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018221403/http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/referral-police-19-october-2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Election donations===
{{See also|Foreign espionage in New Zealand}}
On 13 May 2021, the [[Serious Fraud Office (New Zealand)|Serious Fraud Office]] charged six people in relation to election donations made to the Labour Party during the 2017 general election. The six individuals are all charged with obtaining at least NZ$34,840 by deception or without claim of right, with the donation being paid to the Labour Party via an intermediary bank account.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Owen |first1=Catrin |title=Serious Fraud Office charges six people over 2017 Labour Party election donations |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300306540/serious-fraud-office-charges-six-people-over-2017-labour-party-election-donations |access-date=14 May 2021 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=13 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514033418/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300306540/serious-fraud-office-charges-six-people-over-2017-labour-party-election-donations |archive-date=14 May 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hurley |first1=Sam |last2=Walls |first2=Jason |title=Labour Party donations case: Solicitor and public servant among the six accused who allegedly created 'illusion' |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/labour-party-donations-case-solicitor-and-public-servant-among-the-six-accused-who-allegedly-created-illusion/KZSLMAYA7AQIFUYHOUL2CNKKNE/ |access-date=14 May 2021 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=13 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514035940/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/labour-party-donations-case-solicitor-and-public-servant-among-the-six-accused-who-allegedly-created-illusion/KZSLMAYA7AQIFUYHOUL2CNKKNE/ |archive-date=14 May 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

In late July 2022, the NZ$34,840 Labour Party donation court case was combined with a second case involving two donations worth NZ$100,000 each that were made to the National Party between 2017 and 2018. Seven defendants were charged in the two combined political donations cases. Four of the defendants were named as former National MP and [[Advance New Zealand]] founder [[Jami-Lee Ross]], and businessmen Yikun Zhang, Shijia (Colin) Zheng, Hengjia (Joe) Zheng. All defendants pleaded not guilty to charges of assisting Zhang in concealing his political donations. Under the [[Electoral Act 1993]], all donations worth more than NZ$15,000 must be reported to the [[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]. The trial is scheduled to last ten weeks. The Crown has summoned 51 witnesses including former National MP [[Simon Bridges]], Labour MPs [[Andrew Little (New Zealand politician)|Andrew Little]] and [[Michael Wood (New Zealand politician)|Michael Wood]], former Labour President [[Nigel Haworth]], the National Party's general manager Greg Hamilton, Lee-Ross's wife Lucy Schwaner and his assistant Katja Kershaw.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kapitan |first1=Craig |title=Labour and National donations trial: Minister Michael Wood testifies |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/labour-and-national-donations-trial-minister-michael-wood-testifies/ACQNXJ3T6LNIAYUJSCXRHY23XE/ |access-date=16 August 2022 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=4 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815072859/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/labour-and-national-donations-trial-minister-michael-wood-testifies/ACQNXJ3T6LNIAYUJSCXRHY23XE/ |archive-date=15 August 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Owen |first1=Catrin |title=Week 1 of the Labour and National political donations trial and what's next |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/129418930/week-1-of-the-labour-and-national-political-donations-trial-and-whats-next |access-date=16 August 2022 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=29 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804164738/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/129418930/week-1-of-the-labour-and-national-political-donations-trial-and-whats-next |archive-date=4 August 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Amy |title=Money trail in Nats and Labour 'sham donors' trial unfolding in High Court |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/471872/money-trail-in-nats-and-labour-sham-donors-trial-unfolding-in-high-court |access-date=16 August 2022 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=30 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805115843/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/471872/money-trail-in-nats-and-labour-sham-donors-trial-unfolding-in-high-court |archive-date=5 August 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

In early September 2022, lawyers for the defendants delivered closing arguments. Closing arguments ranged from asserting that the defendants had not broken electoral law, were unaware of Electoral Act requirements, or that defendants were unaware of the alleged scheme to conceal large donations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Amy |title=Defence gives closing statements in political donations trial |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/474239/defence-gives-closing-statements-in-political-donations-trial |access-date=6 October 2022 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=6 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003052033/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/474239/defence-gives-closing-statements-in-political-donations-trial |archive-date=3 October 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Amy |title=Defendants were unaware of electoral disclosure rules, courts hears in political donations trial |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/474321/defendants-were-unaware-of-electoral-disclosure-rules-courts-hears-in-political-donations-trial |access-date=6 October 2022 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=7 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005000925/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/474321/defendants-were-unaware-of-electoral-disclosure-rules-courts-hears-in-political-donations-trial |archive-date=5 October 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Ross's lawyer Ron Mansfield [[King's Counsel|KC]] also argued that Ross had lied to the Serious Fraud Office in an attempt to implicate former National leader Bridges.<ref>{{cite news |title=Political donations trial: Jami-Lee Ross lied to SFO to implicate Simon Bridges, court hears |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/474400/political-donations-trial-jami-lee-ross-lied-to-sfo-to-implicate-simon-bridges-court-hears |access-date=6 October 2022 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004233826/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/474400/political-donations-trial-jami-lee-ross-lied-to-sfo-to-implicate-simon-bridges-court-hears |archive-date=4 October 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

In early October 2022, High Court Justice Ian Gault delivered his verdict. While Ross was acquitted of the fraud charges relating to the National and Labour parties' donations, Yikun Zhang was convicted of a 2018 donation made to the National Party. Colin Zheng was also convicted over the 2017 and 2018 donations to the National Party while his brother Joe Zheng was convicted over the 2018 donation to the National Party and obstructing a Serious Fraud Office investigation. In addition Zhang, the Zheng brothers and three people with name suppression were acquitted in relations to donations made to the Labour Party in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Owen |first1=Catrin |title=Jami-Lee Ross not guilty in political donations case, businessmen found guilty |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/476104/jami-lee-ross-not-guilty-in-political-donations-case-businessmen-found-guilty |access-date=6 October 2022 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005051010/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/476104/jami-lee-ross-not-guilty-in-political-donations-case-businessmen-found-guilty |archive-date=5 October 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Owen |first1=Catrin |title=Jami-Lee Ross 'relieved' at not guilty verdicts in political donations case |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/129949297/jamilee-ross-relieved-at-not-guilty-verdicts-in-political-donations-case |access-date=6 October 2022 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005032025/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/129949297/jamilee-ross-relieved-at-not-guilty-verdicts-in-political-donations-case |archive-date=5 October 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Commons category}}
* [[Elections in New Zealand]]
* [[Politics in New Zealand]]
* [[List of political parties in New Zealand]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{New Zealand elections}}
{{Parliament of NZ}}
{{Fifth National Government of New Zealand}}
{{Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand}}

[[Category:2017 New Zealand general election| ]]
[[Category:2017 elections in New Zealand|General election]]
[[Category:September 2017 events in New Zealand]]