From NZ Herald · · 2m
NZ First's election rule-out remains as 'wicked three years' warning
NZ First deputy leader Shane Jones warns of a 'wicked three years' without bipartisanship as party's Opportunity rule-out stays for now.
In brief
NZ First deputy leader Shane Jones warns of a 'wicked three years' without bipartisanship as party's Opportunity rule-out stays for now. NZ First deputy leader Shane Jones says the next government may face a 'wicked three years' without bipartisanship as the party's rule-out of Opportunity remains for now. Originally…
Election results
Shane Jones expects next government to need greater bipartisanship as NZ First's Opportunity rule-out remains for now.
Special votes count
About 399,365 special votes are due to be counted as the Electoral Commission undergoes the official count.
Coalition majority
National, Act and NZ First hold a slim majority in a larger Parliament thanks to overhangs on both the left and right.
Opportunity's entry
Opportunity reached 6% and entered Parliament, which many commentators thought would give its leader Qiulae Wong the balance of power.
NZ First's vote
NZ First has about 9.8% of the party vote, up from 6.8% in 2023 but down on recent estimates.
Jones' stance
Jones acknowledged the increase but pointed to a 'deep dive' the party would conduct into its result.
Bipartisanship warning
Jones warned that if governing parties didn't 'park up our pet hates' it would be a 'wicked three years'.
Coalition negotiations
With a larger share of the vote, NZ First and Act hold more power in upcoming coalition negotiations.
Peters' position
Peters repeatedly declared he would not work with Opportunity, describing it as 'pinko communists'.
Laws' controversy
NZ First faces controversy over candidate Michael Laws' widely condemned comments about women in Opportunity.
Laws' status
Laws is sixth on NZ First's list, meaning he will become an MP unless he resigns or is forced from the party.
Jones' response
Jones said it's not a matter to be trivialised but there are bigger issues at stake for the electorate.
National's position
National has been left with no list seats after a low party vote of 29.2% with 42 electorate wins.
Jones' confidence
Jones pointed to how some in the electorate believed the government was a 'neutral referee' during cost-of-living pressures.
Jones' promise
Jones promised NZ First will leverage its increased vote share without squandering it in coalition talks.
Next steps
NZ First will hold a board meeting to discuss candidate Michael Laws' controversial comments after the election.
The headline
NZ First deputy leader Shane Jones says the next government may face a 'wicked three years' without bipartisanship as the party's rule-out of Opportunity remains for now.
