VUWSA voices their concerns on the placement of the 2026 General Election
/VUWSA Statement on Election Date 2026
VUWSA – Te Aka Tauira voices their concerns on the placement of the 2026 General Election.
Today, January 21 2026, the New Zealand Government set the date of the 2026 General Election to Saturday November 7 2026, ensuring potential student voters already have a challenge to overcome when it comes to casting their vote this year.
This date coincides with the end date of most exam periods at universities across Aotearoa (with six university exam periods ending within the 6-7 November window), alongside university hall move-out dates, and in turn, the yearly exodus of students across the country as they return to their hometowns for the summer holidays.
As such, this will impede student voter turnout across the motu.
Logistical issues – such as knowledge of the correct location to enroll at (home, flatting or hall addresses) - alongside the placement of the advance voting and voting period directly across the exam timetable will ensure a minimized student vote.
“Combined with the changes to the enrolment deadlines, this Election date will cause the direct stifling of student voices,” VUWSA President Aidan Donoghue notes, “We are concerned by the challenges to democratic participation this date incurs, as our main driver this year is to ensure all views of the student electorate are represented in the 55th Parliament of New Zealand.”
In response, VUWSA calls to all organisations that promote civic participation to join us in launching the largest enrolment drive this country has seen, and stresses if they want to collaborate to reach out immediately.
For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Emma Maguire at media@vuwsa.org.nz
