New Zealand has no clear winner following Saturday's general election, as leaders of the country's two major parties begin preparations to negotiate a coalition government. Preliminary results show that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's centre-right National Party won 42 seats. However, the party remains 19 seats short of the simple majority required to form a government.
While National is the largest party, it would only hold a slim lead over the left-leaning bloc if it reaches a deal with its coalition partners, ACT and New Zealand First. Opposition leader Chris Hipkins, whose Labour Party won 36 seats, indicated that the "shape of the next government" will remain uncertain "for a while". Hipkins stated that the results make clear the "next parliament is going to require all of us to compromise, to work together and to find a common ground," adding that "It may take a bit longer to work out what they've said" by the people.
Luxon congratulated Hipkins on a "very hard-fought race" and told his colleagues that "whatever the final count, we are incredibly proud of each and everyone for you".
The election, which was shaped by issues of unemployment and the cost of living, saw more than 99% of votes counted. National and Labour are neck-and-neck in vote share, but preliminary results suggest historically low support for the two major parties, who combined for a vote share of around 60%. Other parties included the Greens, ACT, New Zealand First, the centrist Opportunity party, and Te Pāti Māori.
The Opportunity Party crossed the 5% threshold to enter parliament for the first time. Leader Qiulae Wong said the party would work with either side, though leaders stated they would negotiate first with the party that secures the most seats. Wong told supporters at a watch party that the party believes they can "change the way we do politics to focus on the future, on the next generation, and on finding common ground."
Professor Andrew Geddis, an expert in election law from the University of Otago, described the Opportunity Party as a "wildcard player" that could "determine which bloc of parties is able to govern". He noted that the outcome will depend on "very fine vote margins" in individual electorates and that they must wait for special votes—cast outside a voter's electorate or overseas—to be processed over the next three weeks.
