POLLS opened in New Zealand’s general election today, with Prime Minister Chris Hipkins seeking a third term for his centre-left Labour party.

Hipkins took over as leader in January after his predecessor Jacinda Ardern stepped down. His Labour party faces opposition led by Christopher Luxon and his conservative National Party.

Officials opened polling stations at 9am (2000 GMT Friday). They will close at 7pm (0600 GMT).

New Zealand has strict election-day laws governing media reporting and political campaigning to prevent voters being swayed.

The laws do not allow exit polls, so the electorate will have no gauge of how the vote is going until early results are released after polling stations close.

About 3.5 million people have registered to vote, according to the Electoral Commission, with in the region of 1.2 million people having cast their ballots early. – AFP, October 14, 2023.