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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s National Party wins 42 seats, while opposition Labour secures 36, leaving neither party with the numbers to govern independently.
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National’s coalition partners, ACT and New Zealand First, win 13 and 12 seats respectively, giving the three-party alliance a preliminary 67-seat majority in the 131-member Parliament.
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Labour narrowly beats National in the popular vote, polling 29.36 per cent against 29.21 per cent, despite finishing six seats behind.
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Opportunity Party’s entry into Parliament with seven seats and outstanding special votes could influence coalition negotiations, with official results expected on November 27.
November 07, (THEWILL) – New Zealand is heading for a coalition government after Saturday’s general election produced no outright majority for any single political party, with preliminary results showing the centre-right National Party winning the largest number of parliamentary seats.
The Electoral Commission’s preliminary results showed National securing 42 seats in the 131-member Parliament, while the Labour Party won 36 seats, despite narrowly receiving more party votes.
National’s leader and incumbent Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, said his party had a pathway to forming the next government but acknowledged that the final outcome remained uncertain pending the counting of special votes.
“National is once again the largest party in Parliament, and we have a pathway to forming the next government. But right now it is too close to call”, Luxon said.
National’s potential coalition partners, ACT and New Zealand First, secured 13 and 12 seats respectively, giving the three parties a combined 67 seats — one above the 66 required for a parliamentary majority.
The preliminary figures therefore give the incumbent centre-right bloc a narrow route to retaining power, although the final results could alter the distribution of seats.
Labour, led by Chris Hipkins, received 29.36 percent of the party vote, narrowly ahead of National’s 29.21 percent. National, however, secured more parliamentary seats.
Reacting to the result, Hipkins said the next Parliament would require cooperation among political parties.
“Tonight, New Zealand has spoken. It may take us a little bit longer to figure out exactly what it is that you’ve said. Our next parliament is going to require all of us to compromise, to work together, and to find common ground”, he said.
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Special Votes Could Change Seat Distribution
The Electoral Commission estimated that about 399,365 special votes, including overseas ballots, were yet to be counted. The final results are expected on November 27.
The outstanding votes could affect the final seat distribution and influence coalition negotiations.
The Opportunity Party, which secured seven seats, has indicated its willingness to engage with either political bloc. Its leader, Qiulae Wong, said the party wanted to promote a different approach to politics, focused on cooperation and the interests of future generations.
“We believe that we can change the way we do politics to focus on the future, on the next generation, and on finding common ground”, Wong said.
However, Luxon has ruled out forming a government with the Opportunity Party, according to reports.
The election campaign was dominated by concerns over the cost of living, unemployment and household finances, with voters weighing the economic records and proposals of the major parties.
New Zealand operates a mixed-member proportional electoral system, under which the party vote largely determines each party’s share of parliamentary seats.
Until the final results are declared and coalition arrangements are settled, Luxon’s government will continue under caretaker conventions.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
