Prime Minister Bill English has called an election for September 23 after taking over as leader last month following the unexpected resignation of his predecessor, John Key.
Mr English's centre-right National Party has governed for the past eight years and is seeking a fourth term straight term, this time without the popular Mr Key.
Speaking at a news conference in the Beehive today, Mr English said the date was chosen because it was almost exactly three years since the 2014 election. It would also allow the Prime Minister to attend international summits, including APEC.
Mr English said National would be "taking nothing for granted" because MMP elections were always close.
Speaking about possible post-election coalitions, Mr English 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 today, saying the two parties were "increasingly far left, inward looking" and without policy ideas.
However, Mr 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.
Mr English would not rule out making Mr Peters Deputy Prime Minister in a possible National-New Zealand First coalition, saying he was "not ruling anything in or out".
He 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.
The general election must be held by November 18.
Mr Peters said it had already been planning for a September 23 election. "It suits us fine," he said in a brief statement today.
LABOUR READY, SAYS LITTLE
Labour leader Andrew Little said his party was well prepared for the election and he was already on a tour of the regions with a road show, talking to New Zealanders about their issues.
"It's going to be hard yakka but we have a strong campaign team - a campaign manager and for the first time, five people on the payroll to help with the campaign organisation."
Labour had been online fundraising for two years which was enabling the party to spend money on its priorities.
"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."
In some National-held electorates, Labour was having contested selection contests, Mr Little said.
“We have a large number of hugely talented new candidates already selected and more to come."
GREENS EXCITED
Green Party co-leader James Shaw said today 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.
STATE OF NATION SPEECH
Tomorrow Mr English will outline his election year agenda in a State of the Nation speech in Auckland.
Speaking to reporters this morning, Mr 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, Mr 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.
- ODT, NZ Herald and Reuters
