National elections arranged to avoid clash with rugby world cup

New Zealand will hold its election on November 26 to avoid clashing with the rugby world cup, prime minister John Key said.

"It's a huge opportunity for New Zealand, the biggest event it has ever staged," he said.

"I don't want to undermine that by playing politics with the election date."

The tournament runs from September 9 to October 23.

Mr Keys is expected to win a second three-year term comfortably.