The death of a candidate in New Zealand's election has triggered a post-election run-off and will extend the size of the next parliament to 121 seats.
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The ACT party is mourning the passing of Neil Christensen who was running for the Port Waikato seat south of Auckland.
"I wish to pay tribute to Neil, who was an infectiously charismatic and fascinating man and was New Zealand's only registered specialist poultry veterinarian," party leader David Seymour said.
While Mr Christensen had a remote chance of winning the electorate held by National's Andrew Bayly - ACT polled 3.4 per cent at the last election - his death requires a fresh contest under New Zealand law.
"It is an unusual situation for a candidate to pass away before election day, and the Electoral Act sets out what happens next," chief electoral officer Karl Le Quesne said.
New Zealanders get two votes in their election: one for an electorate MP, and one party vote, which determines the overall makeup of the parliament.
Port Waikato voters can still cast a party vote but the contest for the electorate has been scrapped and instead will be held as a by-election called by the next prime minister.
The October 14 general election results will still produce a 120-seat parliament (unless there is an overhang, another quirk of New Zealand's system) and when the Port Waikato MP eventually takes his seat, there will be 121 MPs.
Mr Le Quesne insisted that Port Waikato voters should still go out and vote in the national contest before polls close on Saturday night.
"Please go and vote ... your party vote will be counted and contribute to the overall results of the general election," he said.
Mr Bayly, who is set to be elected as an MP off National's list, told the NZ Herald he knew Mr Christensen and found his death "devastating".
Australian Associated Press
