Watch: PM confirms general election date

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has today confirmed September 19 as the general election date at her first post-cabinet press conference of the year.

In a press release Ms Ardern said she would be asking New Zealanders to "continue to support my leadership and the current direction of the Government, which is grounded in stability, a strong economy and progress on the long term challenges facing New Zealand".

"We are running an established and effective MMP Government, and overseeing a strong economy with low unemployment and growth rates the envy of other countries like Australia and the UK while making critical investments in health, education and reducing child poverty.

"I’ve always believed that announcing elections dates early is fair. It improves the opportunities for New Zealanders to take part in the democratic process and gives a greater degree of certainty to the political landscape.

"When it comes to the campaign, I’ve set out Labour’s plan to give New Zealanders an election contest that is positive, factual and robust.

"Until then the Government will continue on getting things done."

Ms Ardern had advised the Governor-General of the election date.

The Government's intention was that the House would rise on August 6 and Parliament would be dissolved on August 12.

The announcement from Ms Ardern was tipped ahead of today's post-Cabinet press conference

Much of Parliament will be heading to Waitangi next week, and Parliament is due to resume the following week where the Government parties and National Opposition will face off.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Photo: Getty Images
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is set to announce September 19 as the general election date. Photo: Getty Images
The last election was September 23, 2017 and the last possible date for an election this year is November 21.

New Zealand First is understood to have favoured a November election date, while Labour and the Greens favoured an earlier one that will make it easier to mobilise tertiary students.

While Ms Ardern leads a Labour-New Zealand Coalition Government, setting the election date has always been the prerogative of the Prime Minister.

The consent of a coalition partner is not required.

New Zealand First held the balance of power after the 2017 election and after parallel negotiations with Labour and National, chose to go with Labour, supported by the Greens, despite National being the largest party.

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