UPDATED 3.05pm Prime Minister Bill English has revealed the date of the general election this afternoon.
New Zealand will go to the polls on Saturday 23 September.
Speaking at a press conference in the Beehive, English said the date was chosen because it was almost exactly three years since the 2014 election.
English said he doesn't want the date being used as a political tool, so that's why he's announcing it now.
"I believe it's important to provide the country with some certainty and not use the election day as a political tool and that it's in everyone's best interest to have plenty of notice."
It would also allow the Prime Minister to attend international summits including APEC.
English said National would be "taking nothing for granted" because MMP elections were always close.
Speaking about possible post-election coalitions, he said National would continue to side with its existing support parties - Act, United Future and the Maori Party.
He ruled out any coalition with Labour or the Greens, saying the two parties were "increasingly far left, inward looking" and without policy ideas.
However, English left the door open to New Zealand First. Winston Peters' party was "an unlikely partner", he said, but he was open to negotiations after the election.
English would not rule out making Peters Deputy Prime Minister in a possible National-New Zealand First coalition, saying he was "not ruling anything in or out".
English said National was likely to continue electoral "deals" with United Future's Peter Dunne in Ohariu and Act's David Seymour in Epsom. In previous elections, National has encouraged its supporters to vote for those candidates while giving National their party vote.
The Prime Minister said National would campaign on its strong record in Government and that it would have a "positive and ambitious" programme that backed New Zealanders.
"New Zealand is well placed compared to many other countries," he said in a statement.
"That's down to the hard work of households and businesses across the country, backed by the National-led Government's clear and successful plan for our future."
Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little said the Labour Party "can't wait" to start campaigning on what Kiwis are worried about"
That included housing affordability, access to healthcare and quality education, safer communities and a stronger economy.
"Only by changing the Government can we do that," he said.
"We're well prepared, our teams are in place, our plans are well advanced and we'll be working hard to convince New Zealanders we can help give them a fair shot at the Kiwi Dream."
Green Party co-leader James Shaw said his party was excited about the election.
The Greens "offered a credible, compassionate, progressive alternative" to National, he said.
"Contrast that with what we've seen from Bill English this week - his moral compass has been swimming in circles.
"New Zealanders want a Prime Minister who represents our values to the world, not one who's happy to sleepwalk through a major global political moment."
His party's election platform would be ending child poverty, affordable housing, clean rivers and lakes, and a fairer economy.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said it had already been planning for a September 23 election.
"It suits us fine," Peters said in a brief statement.
Tomorrow, English will outline his election year agenda in a State of the Nation speech in Auckland.
Speaking to reporters this morning, English said the speech would focus on "the things that matter to New Zealanders".
"We are not going to be distracted by all the international news. Because there's a job here to make sure that New Zealanders have there jobs secure, their incomes rising, their communities safe, and their kids educated."
The speech would also contain new policy, English said, though he would not give further details.
Labour and Greens gave their State of the Nation speeches on Sunday in Mt Albert - the first time the two parties have held their scene-setting speeches together.
They have signed a formal agreement to work together until the election, but are not bound by the agreement to go into coalition together.
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