Inter-agency Coordination Group established for Election 2026

An inter-agency Coordination Group is being established to strengthen coordination and preparedness across government and support public confidence in this year’s General Election. The Ministry of Justice will host the group, which builds on arrangements used in previous elections, including election protocols that set out the respective roles and responsibilities of the Electoral Commission and government agencies for the delivery and support of the General Election. The inter-agency Coordination Group will support the comprehensive coordination and strategic oversight of threats and hazards that could affect the 2026 General Election, Secretary for Justice Andrew Kibblewhite says. "Risks to the integrity of our country’s democratic process have become increasingly complex and continue to rapidly evolve. Electoral security threats may include foreign interference, malicious cyber activity, potential threats to candidates, and election-related phishing and scams.” "New Zealanders must have confidence the electoral process and its outcomes are fair and free from undue influence." Requests for secondees have been sent to agencies across the National Resilience System, with appoint...