New Zealand election leaves no clear winner

National wins most seats but no majority

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's centre-right National Party won 42 seats in Saturday's election, the largest of any party but 19 short of the simple majority needed to govern alone.

Labour refuses to concede defeat

Opposition leader Chris Hipkins's Labour Party won 36 seats. Hipkins showed no signs of conceding, saying the shape of the next government will remain uncertain for a while.

“the "shape of the next government" will remain uncertain "for a while"”

Coalition math remains tight

Combined with coalition partners ACT on 13 seats and New Zealand First on 12, the National-led bloc would have a slim lead over the left-leaning opposition if a deal could be reached.

Opportunity Party emerges as kingmaker

The centrist Opportunity Party crossed the five percent threshold to enter parliament for the first time with 7 seats. Leader Qiulae Wong said the party would negotiate first with whoever secured the most seats.

Cost of living shaped the campaign

The tight result followed a campaign shaped by cost of living and unemployment. Polling expert Julian McCrann said Luxon had not delivered on promises to improve New Zealanders' lives and solve economic issues.

Major parties at historic low support

Preliminary results pointed to historically low support for the two major parties, with National and Labour combined taking around 60 percent of the vote share.

Official result delayed until late November

The electoral commission will not announce the official result until 27 November. Luxon said he would run a caretaker government until then, when meaningful coalition negotiations can begin.