October 14 is the all-important election date for Decision 2023, but there are other milestones in the lead-up to and after the election Kiwis need to know about.
Newshub is here to guide you through Election 2023, so here's all the nitty gritty political detail you need to know.
Decision 2023 timeline
August
August 31 marks the final adjournment of the House. It is the official last day that Parliament sits.
According to Parliament's website, there are a few days between the last sitting of Parliament and the dissolution of Parliament.
"This allows parliamentary processes to be completed, such as obtaining Royal assent for bills and printing select committee reports. Written questions may be lodged and papers may be distributed during this period."
September
September is the month of official milestones, so let's run through them.
September 8: Parliament dissolves, it sounds pretty spooky but this marks the official end of the 53rd Parliament. A proclamation is read out on the steps of Parliament on behalf of the Governor-General, who is representing the King.
This means Parliament's power had dissolved - the House cannot sit, pass new laws or hold Question Time. However, unfinished business before the House and Select Committees can be reinstated by the next Parliament.
September 10: 'Writ day'. The dissolution of Parliament has happened and now the Governor-General issues a formal direction to the Electoral Commission that it can kick off Election 2023.
The 'writ' outlines the closing date for the nomination of political candidates, polling day and the last date for the 'writ' to be returned with the final election results.
It also allows the broadcast of election programmes, with political party advertisements now allowed on television and radio.
September 12: PREFU day. It means the Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update. This is when Treasury will open Aoteaora's books and set out the state of the economy.
September 15: With just 29 more days to go until election day - nominations for individual electorate candidates have to be made by midday. Party lists had to be submitted to the Electoral Commission by midday the day before.
September 27: Election day is edging closer and with that Kiwis overseas now have the opportunity to vote.
October - ELECTION MONTH!
October is when the heat in the political kitchen begins to boil. It's the month of election day.
October 2: Eager voters here in New Zealand are unleashed and advance voting begins. Kiwis can vote during the advance voting period. Advance voting closes the day before the election on October 13.
October 13 is also the end of all election advertising. Election signs are to be ripped down and advertising must follow - by midnight.
The restrictions apply across online advertising and social media - if the rules are not followed those breaking them could be slapped with a fine.
October 14 - it's election day!
Polling booths across the motu swing open from 9am on Election Day and those Kiwis who left voting up until the last day can vote between 9am and 7pm.
From 7pm preliminary election results will begin rolling in and if the preliminary results are clear cut, Aotearoa should have a good idea who will form the next Government.
Grey area - Formation of the Government
If the results are clear-cut on election night, the formation of the Government and appointment of Ministers could happen within a few days.
There is no set date for this, in case political parties need to negotiate which could take weeks.
Before the Government is appointed the Governor-General has to be satisfied the Government has the confidence of the House.
Once the excitement of the election simmers down, MPs will participate in an induction programme at Parliament across October and November.
November
November 3: The Electoral Commission will declare the official results of the election - including special votes, which are those cast overseas or outside of the voters’ electorate.
November 9: If the Electoral Commissioner is satisfied that no application is made for a recount, or after any recount has taken place, the commissioner delivers the 'writ' to the Clerk of the House.
"Effectively this is a certificate of election, proving the right of membership to the House of Representatives," Parliament's website reads.
Once the 'writ' is returned, the Governor-General will issue a proclamation summoning Parliament to meet within six weeks.
10 November to 21 December
Once the new Parliament sits within six weeks, the three Royal Commissioners - the Chief Justice and two other senior judges - open the Parliament on behalf of the Governor-General.
A proclamation is read by a Commissioner summoning Parliament and informs the Parliament the Governor-General will be at Parliament the following day.
Once the Commissioners leave, members of Parliament stay to be sworn in and elect the Speaker of the House.
11 November to 22 December
The Governor-General holds the formal State Opening of Parliament. The Governor-General delivers the speech from the Throne in the Legislative Council Chamber (LCC) at Parliament.
The same day as the State Opening
At about 2pm the Address in Reply debate kicks off. This will see the House respond to the speech from the Throne.
The Opposition party will usually move an amendment of no confidence in the Government to test if the elected Government has the numbers it needs in the House.
Parliament's website said the debate lasts about 19 hours and is the highest priority of all other Government business.
Newly elected members will also make their maiden speeches during the debate.
