New Zealand’s Parliament was dissolved on Thursday, formally opening campaigning for the November 7 national election, which opinion polls suggest could remove Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s centre-right coalition after a single three-year term. A 1News-Verian poll projected a potential Labour-led bloc at 65 seats, compared with 59 for National, ACT and New Zealand First. Smaller parties collectively command about one-third of polling support under New Zealand’s Mixed Member Proportional system, giving them substantial leverage over the next government. Labour leader Chris Hipkins has signalled that Labour would restore the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s dual mandate covering inflation and employment, reversing the current government’s return to a single inflation-focused mandate. Economists and the OECD have warned that frequent mandate changes could weaken policy predictability, while Westpac analysts said a restored dual mandate could slow inflation’s return to target and produce a lower or slower rise in interest rates. The election also raises uncertainty over infrastructure, mining, energy and other policies after the current government cancelled major transport projects, revived mining and reinstated offshore oil and gas exploration. Private investment and long-term infrastructure planning could be affected as the economy emerges from a slowdown.