Let the count beginSix weeks of campaigning, politicking and debates is done. New Zealand has voted and over the next few hours we’ll find out the results of what has been cast as one of the tightest elections in recent memory.For weeks, the polls have shown no clear path to government for any potential coalition, left or right.
Seemingly unimpressed by National and Labour, polls have tracked voters turning to the smaller parties, such as the centrist Opportunity party.Tonight could see Opportunity potentially end up as kingmaker, unless that pre-election support and hype has failed to translate into votes. Stay with us as we learn the answer to that big question and others, as we keep you across the counts and results as they come in.
It’s going to be an exciting night!Key events16m agoLet the count beginEva CorlettSeats to watchHutt South, Nelson, Banks Peninsula, Wigram, Whanganui and Kāpiti were either tight races between National and Labour last time around, or could change hands after boundaries were re-drawn.Wairarapa, West Coast-Tasman and Hamilton East are historically National strongholds. If they flip red, that could be an early signal for good overall outcome for Labour.The Tāmaki electorate has traditionally been held by National but was taken by the libertarian Act party in 2023.
This year, the race between those parties’ candidates and newcomer Labour candidate Max Harris is tight – a Harris win would be a surprise upset for the right.Meanwhile, Green candidate Kahurangi Carter is vying to claim Christchurch Central. If Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick keeps Auckland Central and Tamatha Paul nabs Wellington North, New Zealand’s three largest city centre electorates will be represented by the Green party.Maungakiekie could also be an indicator for the final results.
Over the past two elections, the Maungakiekie electorate has proven to be an “extraordinary” bellwether seat, accurately reflecting the mood of the nation.If six weeks of campaigning has left you cold, then sit back as Matilda Boseley spills the tea on the two Chrises, election vibes and the Luxon-Opportunity question.What’s up with the New Zealand election? – videoSeeing some numbers. So with just 1% of the vote counted, National are on 31%, Labour 29.8% and Opportunity party 5.7%, so they are above the threshold.
There is obviously a long, long way to go tonight. The Greens are on 12.2%, Act 11% and New Zealand First 9.4%.
Te Pāti Māori are on 0.3%.So, what’s at stake for Luxon and National tonight? A lot.
The party is facing the dire possibility of being the first one-term National-led government since it was founded in 1936. Remember, National has never led for less than three terms, ever.
So this is a huge night for Luxon’s legacy and the National party, both past and present.Ahead of tonight, Christopher Luxon has long struggled in the preferred prime minister poll. Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty ImagesTonight, our New Zealand correspondent Eva Corlett is posted at National party’s main gathering at Viaduct Events Centre, in Auckland, awaiting the arrival of Christopher Luxon.In Upper Hutt, north of Wellington, we’ll have updates from Michelle Duff who is mingling alongside the Labour faithful at the local Cosmopolitan Club.
That’s happening in Chris Hipkins’ electorate, and he’ll show up there once the lay of the electoral land becomes clear.In Wellington, Jamie Tahana is at the Backbenchers pub, which is a brief stroll from New Zealand’s Beehive. He’ll be checking the mood with keen voters who have pulled up a pew and are ready to watch the results start coming in.Let the count beginSix weeks of campaigning, politicking and debates is done.
New Zealand has voted and over the next few hours we’ll find out the results of what has been cast as one of the tightest elections in recent memory.For weeks, the polls have shown no clear path to government for any potential coalition, left or right. Seemingly unimpressed by National and Labour, polls have tracked voters turning to the smaller parties, such as the centrist Opportunity party.Tonight could see Opportunity potentially end up as kingmaker, unless that pre-election support and hype has failed to translate into votes.
Stay with us as we learn the answer to that big question and others, as we keep you across the counts and results as they come in. It’s going to be an exciting night!