Election 2026: How does campaign advertising work, and what are the rules?

Photo: RNZ illustration / Nik Dirga / 123rf

Explainer - The big flood of election adverts and billboards won't start until closer to November, but the race to influence hearts and minds begins now.

There are many rules regulating disclosure, campaign spending and the timing of certain election advertisements.

There are still more than nine months before we vote on 7 November, which means the candidates and parties have plenty of time to pitch for your vote.

"The lengthy time period is advantageous for parties with more money to spend as they can effectively campaign for the whole year," University of Otago professor of law Andrew Geddis said. "Based on recent donation returns, that's National and ACT in particular."

Here are the basic rules around political advertisements and what you can and can't do.

Photo: RNZ

Can people legally advertise before the election is even near?

Absolutely, although you won't generally see election advertisements everywhere until closer to November.

"There is no restriction on when people can publish election advertisements, other than Election Day before 7pm," the Electoral Commission legal and policy manager Kristina Temel said.

This can include online advertisements or print media.

However, you can't put election advertisements on TV or radio until the official election regulated period starts.

Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Wait, what does that regulated period mean?

It's when we start counting how much is being spent, for one thing. The regulated election period runs in the three months before Election Day - this year, from 7 August to 6 November.

Once that period begins, a bunch of strict rules around election spending kick in.

Read more: The Electoral Commission on election adv