New Zealand's general election is extremely close, with the governing party and the opposition nearly tied, making it impossible to determine a winner, although the government remains confident it can secure a majority.
Foreign news agencies reported on 7 Nov 2026 GMT+7 that preliminary results of New Zealand's general election, with over 95% of votes counted, show the two major parties are neck and neck, separated by fewer than 4,000 votes. The final outcome depends on special votes expected to be counted later this month.
Both the centre-right governing National Party and the opposition Labour Party have vote shares just under 30%, with National leading by about 3,500 votes late Saturday night.
Current Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, also leader of the National Party, said his party remains the largest in parliament and still has a path to forming the next government.
Currently, National governs alongside the business-supporting ACT Party and the right-wing populist New Zealand First Party. Preliminary results indicate these three parties together will hold around 67 seats, just enough for a slim majority.
Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins said New Zealand politicians need to find common ground and make mutual compromises since neither Labour nor National can secure a majority alone.
Over the next three weeks, New Zealand will count special votes—including those cast outside voters’ home electorates, from overseas, or by those unable to reach polling stations. Historically, these votes tend to lean left and have altered preliminary results in the last three elections.
The official election results are expected to be announced on 27 Nov 2026 GMT+7.
New Zealand uses a Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system, combining electorate and party list votes to fairly reflect the proportion of votes in the composition of parliament.
Preliminary results indicate the parliament may expand from the usual 120 seats to 130 due to an excess number of electorate MPs under the MMP system, making it the largest parliament in New Zealand's history.
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Source:dw