New Zealand will hold its general election on 7 November, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced.
Speaking to a press conference on Wednesday, Luxon said New Zealanders would have to decide "who is best placed to provide stable and strong government in a very volatile and uncertain world".
Luxon, a former airline executive and New Zealand's first elected leader since the extremely popular Jacinda Ardern, has enjoyed a swift political rise: becoming an MP in 2020, National Party leader a year later, and prime minister in 2023.
His popularity has waned during his time in power, however, as New Zealand's economy has stalled.
New Zealanders face high costs of living, housing affordability issues, and an unemployment rate of more than 5%.
