The Government says the July 27 election is early, the opposition parties say it is a snap.
A glance at recent history shows Helen Clark's call is not all that early as elections go.
In 1981, the election was called on September 28 and pollingday was November 28 - that was running full term.
In 1984, the call came on June 14 and the election was held on July 14 - that was the Muldoon snap election, 4 1/2 months early. The reason was that the Government lost its majority when MP Marilyn Waring withdrew from the caucus.
In 1987, the election was called on June 30 and was held on August 15, not much different to this year.
In 1990, the call was on August 9 and the election was held on October 27.
In 1993, the call came on September 14 and election day was November 6.
In 1996, the first MMP election was called on May 21 and was held on October 12. That was an unusually long run-up, mainly because of the need to get all preparations in place for proportional representation.
In 1999, the call was on September 26 and the election was held on November 27.
