After close vote, New Zealand must wait weeks for new government

Key Points:

• New Zealand's general election results are uncertain as the National Party-led coalition holds a slim majority with 67 of 131 seats, but around 14% of special votes, which historically favor the left, are yet to be counted and will be finalized on November 27.
• Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's National Party, along with ACT and New Zealand First, currently leads but may need support from the centrist Opportunity Party, which is likely entering parliament for the first time and could play a key role in forming a government.
• Both Luxon and opposition leader Chris Hipkins of the Labour Party have refrained from claiming victory amid a tight race focused on economic concerns and cost of living issues, with Luxon indicating it is "quite feasible" to form a government with current partners.
• The election results reflect low popular vote shares—below 30% for both National and Labour—the lowest since New Zealand adopted the mixed-member proportional system in 1996, signaling voter frustration with economic growth and leadership.
• National's reduced popular vote is expected to cost the party several senior lawmakers, including Finance Minister Nicola Willis, highlighting internal challenges despite maintaining a potential majority.