No clear winner after tight New Zealand general election
New Zealand's general election has resulted in no clear winner, with the National Party and Labour Party both preparing for coalition negotiations. The outcome remains uncertain as parties seek to form a majority government.
Why it matters
The political deadlock in New Zealand reflects broader global trends of voter dissatisfaction and the decline of traditional two-party dominance.
Figure caption, New Zealand election 'too close to call' - so who's won?
There was no clear winner following New Zealand's election on Saturday, as the leaders of its two major parties preparing for negotiations to form a coalition government.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's centre-right National Party won 42 seats but was 19 short of the simple majority needed to form a government, despite being the largest party, preliminary results showed.
Combined with their coalition partners ACT and New Zealand First, they would have a slim lead over the left-leaning bloc if a deal could be reached.
But opposition leader Chris Hipkins, whose Labour Party won 36 seats, showed no signs of conceding, saying the "shape of the next government" will remain uncertain "for a while".
The tight result followed a campaign shaped by the cost of living and unemployment.
Headlinne story · 4 newsrooms
New Zealand Election Ends Without Clear Winner Amid Tight Results
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