New Zealand Election Hangs on 400,000 Special Votes as 66 Seats Decide Power
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Nov 8
New Zealand Election Hangs on 400,000 Special Votes as 66 Seats Decide Power
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Nov 8
Summary
Nearly 400,000 special votes remain uncounted, leaving New Zealand’s election too close to call and delaying coalition talks until Nov. 27.
Preliminary results show Labour narrowly leading the party vote 29.3% to 29.2%, but National holds more seats, 42 to 36, under the MMP system.
Sixty-six seats appear needed for a majority, and newcomer Opportunity—on 6% and seven seats—could become kingmaker despite Christopher Luxon previously ruling out talks.
Special votes often skew left; in 2023 they helped Te Pāti Māori gain two seats and the Greens one, while National lost two.
An overhang could also expand parliament from 120 seats by 10 or 11, potentially making this New Zealand’s largest legislature and complicating the final balance of power.