New Zealand election too close to call with over 95% of votes counted

Wellington, November 7 — In a tight race, New Zealand's two main parties were evenly matched after over half of the votes were counted, with neither party having a clear majority. The election campaign focused on concerns about the cost of living and the struggling economy, with rising costs of basic goods and unemployment still high. The conflict in the Middle East and the subsequent rise in fuel prices were largely blamed for the impact on New Zealand's trade-dependent economy.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hoped his right-wing coalition could stay in power with promises of "no new taxes" after three tumultuous years in office, two unsuccessful attempts by his own National Party to replace him as leader, and an economy in trouble. At a Labour event in Upper Hutt near Wellington, party workers were optimistic they had secured the most seats.

Meanwhile, at a National gathering in Auckland, candidates were seen to be ahead, and Mark Mitchell, the police minister and National lawmaker, described the race as "very close."

By 09:44 PM (08:44 GMT/4:44 Malaysian time), with more than half of the votes already counted, both main parties were neck-and-neck, each at 29 percent with only a few thousand votes between them. Neither seemed likely to secure enough seats in New Zealand's parliament to govern alone. The country's minor parties, particularly the centrist Opportunity Party, gained intense attention.

Led by former KPMG consultant Qiulae Wong, the Opportunity Party aims to offer a "kinder, gentler politics" and work with whichever party wins the most seats. Wong believes voters have voted for unity over division and to change New Zealand's politics for the better.

Professor David Capie of Victoria University of Wellington pointed to voter fatigue with the two established parties as contributing to the rise of the Opportunity Party. "In some ways, it looks like a bit of a blank slate where people are projecting what they would like," he noted. Prime Minister Luxon urged voters to "stick to the plan that's working" and not to risk a Labour government.

The center-left party was voted out of office in 2023 following struggles to inspire voters after former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's resignation. Her replacement, Jacinda's successor, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, has yet to establish the same level of popularity. Hipkins has portrayed himself as an everyman, joking about his poor dress sense, love of sausage rolls, and passion for DIY.

The center-left party may need to form a coalition with the left-wing Green Party, which has seen record support due to focusing on the rising cost of living.