In brief
The National-led coalition gained 67 of 131 seats in New Zealand's lower house, securing a narrow majority. The result is pending 700,000 special votes, while the Green Party secured a record 16 seats. The outcome could shift once final counts are released on Nov. 27.
Early Sunday, the Election Commission reported that New Zealand’s ruling National-led coalition has secured a majority in the 131-seat lower house, giving Prime Minister Christopher Luxon momentum toward a second term. The coalition, comprising the National Party, ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First, won 67 seats, while the opposition bloc of Labour, the Green Party and Māori Party holds 57 seats.
The results, released from all voting places, also revealed 11 “overhang” seats, raising parliament’s normal 120-seat count to 131. The coalition’s 67 seats provide a very narrow majority, overseeing a possible balance of power in a fragmented parliament. In the popular‑vote race, National and Labour each surpassed 29 percent, according to preliminary figures.
“The election is too close to call,” Luxon told supporters in Auckland. “The final outcome will hinge on special votes that have yet to be counted.” He added that negotiations and compromise would be required to form the next government.
"The election is too close to call," Luxon told supporters in Auckland. "The final outcome will hinge on special votes that have yet to be counted."
There are 700,000 special votes, including ballots cast by overseas voters and those voting outside their electorates, which are not yet reflected in the preliminary tally. The Electoral Commission is scheduled to publish final official results, including these votes, on Nov. 27.
The Green Party has won a record 16 seats, while the emergent Opportunity Party is projected to capture seven seats. New Zealand’s mixed‑member proportional system requires voters to cast separate ballots for a party and a local electorate candidate.
Enrollment for the election was 3.8 million, representing 93.6 percent of the eligible population, slightly below recent years’ rates.
Unconfirmed reports from the Guardian indicate that National’s share of the popular vote sits at 29.30 percent, with Labour only 0.1 percent ahead, but these figures have not yet been corroborated by the Electoral Commission.