New Zealand’s National-led coalition has a one-seat majority in the preliminary results from the Nov. 7 election, but special votes could change the balance before official results are announced on Nov. 27.
The preliminary count gives National, ACT and New Zealand First a combined 67 seats in a projected 131-seat parliament, one more than the 66 needed for a majority. These figures do not determine who will govern. The remaining ballots have not yet been counted.
The coalition’s narrow lead could disappear. About 399,000 special votes, roughly 14% of the total, are still to be counted. They include votes cast overseas or outside a voter’s electorate.
Historically, these votes have favored left-leaning parties, making them especially important in a close election. National and Labour each received just under 30% of the party vote in the preliminary count. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins both avoided claiming victory.
The centrist Opportunity Party could become important if neither bloc can win a majority. The incumbent coalition is to remain in a temporary caretaker role until the official count makes the number of parliamentary seats clear.