Auckland - Polling stations have opened in New Zealand's general election, which opinion polls suggest will result in a change of government.
The New Zealand electorate of 2.5 million uses a mixed-member proportional representation system with two votes, one for a party list which determines party proportions in the assembly and another for a local member.
The election also has two referendums, one on the number of MPs and another on punishment for criminals. In two constituencies voters will poll on local alcohol sales laws. All week public opinion polls have predicted that the ruling National Party of the Prime Minister, Ms Jenny Shipley, is likely to be defeated by the Labour Party, led by Ms Helen Clark.