Qiulae Wong, the outsider who could decide New Zealand's next government

QIULAE Wong, a 38-year-old politician with less than a year in office, could potentially hold the balance of power in New Zealand's parliament following initial counting of Saturday's general election, which resulted in no clear victor. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's centre-right coalition could secure a majority of just two seats, but this narrow margin may change once special votes, which usually favor the left, are released during the official count on November 27.

This would make either a centre-right or centre-left bloc reliant on the support of Wong's centrist Opportunity Party, which is poised to enter parliament for the first time. Both Prime Minister Luxon's National Party and Labour, led by Chris Hipkins, are expected to attempt to form a coalition government in the coming days or weeks.

Wong, formerly a sustainable-business consultant, took over the decade-old Opportunity Party in November 2025, overseeing a rebrand and a surge in the party's popularity. Its current 5.96 percent vote share would grant it seven seats in the 131-member parliament, according to Electoral Commission data. Opportunity's key policies focus on taxation, including an annual NZ$19,400 (US$10,800) universal basic income for most New Zealand residents, funded by a 1.75 percent annual land tax.

The party also aims to simplify the country's income tax system. Globally, there is a growing recognition of the need to tax wealth more and work less, which Opportunity's tax reset package seeks to achieve by shifting the burden from income tax to property.

Wong has stated that a basic income for residents would be unprecedented in a developed economy. While National and Labour have ruled out adopting Opportunity's tax policies, Luxon has repeatedly expressed his unwillingness to enter into a coalition with Opportunity. Wong has indicated that she would seek to negotiate with the party that secures the most seats in parliament, suggesting that cooperation with National or Labour could be possible.

She told the public broadcaster TVNZ on Saturday that various forms of collaboration, such as coalition, confidence and supply, or being on the crossbenches, are all on the table for Opportunity at this stage. Wong emphasized that they must consider how the votes unfold in the coming days or weeks.