ZB ZB
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

PM confirms September 19th as election day

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 28 Jan 2020, 2:57PM

PM confirms September 19th as election day

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 28 Jan 2020, 2:57PM

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced the general election will be held on September 19.

Speaking to reporters at the year's first post-cabinet press conference, Ardern said she believed the now-common practice of announcing elections early in the year was fair.

The date means Parliament will sit for the last time on August 6 and will be officially dissolved on August 12.

"Until then the Government will continue on getting things done," Ardern said, reiterating an earlier pledge to run a "positive, factual and robust election campaign".

Asked whether the All Blacks fixtures for the year had factored into picking the election date, Ardern said things that could distract voters had been on her mind, along with other factors such as school and public holidays.

The announcement comes ahead of tomorrow's $12 billion infrastructure announcement, as the Government kicks into gear for election year.

New Zealand First is understood to have favoured a November date, but Labour and the Greens wanted it earlier - so as to mobilise tertiary students.

The decision is always down to the Prime Minister.

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you