New Zealand election produces hung parliament as parties scramble for a government
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Voters denied either major party a majority, forcing coalition talks with minor parties while the caretaker government continues and special votes are still being counted.
New Zealand's parliamentary election produced a hung result, with neither the centre-right National party nor the centre-left Labour party securing a decisive majority. Preliminary counts showed National holding 42 seats and Labour 36, while minor parties—including the newly elected Opportunity party, ACT, New Zealand First, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori—captured enough seats to hold the balance of power.
Opportunity, led by 38-year-old business consultant Qiulae Wong, entered Parliament with seven seats, giving it leverage to negotiate with either bloc. The final allocation of roughly 400,000 special votes, which include overseas ballots, is expected to be completed by late November and could shift the balance, particularly in favour of left-leaning parties.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, whose National party leads a caretaker government, urged the public to take a short political break. > "I think everyone's over politics so let's all have a bit of a break for the next three weeks," he told reporters.
Luxon indicated that National remains in a position to negotiate a second term, while Labour leader Chris Hipkins expressed optimism about forming a coalition despite the party's shortfall. Both sides are expected to engage with minor parties to secure the 66 seats needed for a governing majority.
Electoral officials began counting the special votes on Sunday, a process that typically takes three weeks. If coalition talks fail to produce a viable government, New Zealand could face a fresh election.