# 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.
- Title: NZ First's election rule-out remains as 'wicked three years'…
- Summary: NZ First deputy leader Shane Jones warns of a 'wicked three years' without bipartisanship as party's Opportunity rule-out stays for now.
- Keywords: nz first, shane jones, opportunity, winston peters, election 2026, bipartisanship, political coalition, special votes, electoral commission, political parties, NZ Herald
- Source: NZ Herald — https://nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-nz-firsts-opportunity-rule-out-remains-for-now-as-wicked-three-years-likely-without-bipartisanship/7UGMGMCAEVF5JES4UP4DKJDEEE
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: nz first, shane jones, opportunity, winston peters, election 2026, bipartisanship, political coalition, special votes, electoral commission, political parties, politics, news
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.