Basically, a general election is a chance to choose who runs the country. It's important to vote, because the laws passed by Parliament and the decisions made by the Government affect you.

When it's time for an election, the Governor-General closes Parliament. Then the real campaigning begins. Parties and individuals who want to win seats in Parliament need to convince voters they will represent them well. There are lots of ways of doing this - they might send out pamphlets, put up billboards, run advertisements and talk to people in the different electorates.

Before an election, there is a lot of publicity about what the different parties and candidates want to do if they're elected. Find out as much information as you can. Start up a class 'elections board' and put up the information you find - newspaper articles, political pamphlets and voting information.

As the election gets closer, you will need to get thinking. What are the big issues for you and your family? What do all the different candidates and parties think about these issues? Talk to your family and friends about who you think would represent you well.

Elections are always held on a Saturday so most people don't have to get time off work to vote. If you do work on Saturday, you are allowed time off work to vote.

Two ticks for election day

At the polling place, voters get a ballot paper.

They are allowed two ticks - one for the party they most want to be in Parliament and one for the person they want to be their electorate MP.

When the polling places close, the returning officers have the job of counting up all the votes to see who will become an MP. The preliminary results are announced on election night and the final results are declared at least two weeks later. This allows time for receiving Special Declaration Votes cast in New Zealand and overseas.

If you can't get to a polling place in your electorate on election day, you can cast a special declaration vote.