Wellington - New Zealand will hold a general election on November 8, Prime Minister Helen Clark announced Friday.

Clark's Labour Party, which has headed minority government coalitions since 1999, is seeking a fourth three-year term in office.

The main opposition, the conservative National Party, led by the country's richest politician, John Key, is currently well ahead in opinion polls.

New Zealand's mixed-member proportional voting system, designed to ensure that minor parties are represented in Parliament, usually results in coalition governments. (dpa)