On your ballot paper, place a tick by the name of the political party of your choice and a tick by the name of the candidate you would most like to represent your electorate. You can vote for both or just one if you like.
Terms:
Electorate vote: The vote to choose your local member of Parliament
Party vote: The vote for the party you want to be form the Government
Making it to Parliament: A party must get at least 5 per cent of the party vote to get MPs into Parliament, or one of its candidates must win an electorate seat
Party list: Each party ranks its candidates in a list. List MPs make up a party's numbers in Parliament if needed.
Winning an electorate: Candidates who win an electorate are guaranteed a seat in Parliament. If their party fails to earn 5 per cent of the party vote, the number of seats in parliament are extended to accommodate them.
Parties which fail to make Parliament: A party which fails to reach the 5 per cent party vote threshold, and whose members fail to win any electorates have no representation in Parliament.
Election coverage:
Nzherald.co.nz will be reporting the results as they come in with live graphics and our politics team will offer expert analysis and comment
Newstalk ZB: From 7pm, election night will be hosted by Rachel Smalley, Larry Williams and Barry Soper
Radio NZ: From 7.04pm, a news special with the trends and results will be hosted by Kathryn Ryan, Guyon Espiner and guests
TV One: From 7pn until midnight, a Vote 2014 special will be hosted by Mike Hosking, Toni Street, Corin Dann, Simon Dallow, Heather Du Plessis-Allan and guest commentators
TV3: From 7pm, John Campbell and Duncan Garner will present an election special
Maori TV: Election special from 7pm, hosted my Mihingarangi Forbes