New Zealand’s preliminary count gives National and its two current partners 67 of a projected 131 seats, one more than the 66 needed for a majority, leaving Opportunity unnecessary on the present tally.
National has 42 seats, ACT New Zealand 13 and New Zealand First 12, according to the Electoral Commission’s preliminary allocation. Labour has 36 seats, the Green Party 16, Te Pāti Māori five and Opportunity seven. At least 66 seats are needed for a majority in the 131-seat chamber.
Labour nonetheless received the largest party-vote share, at 29.36%, just ahead of National’s 29.21%, the commission said. Labour led on votes, while National and its partners have more seats combined in the preliminary allocation.
The Independent linked voter frustration with the major parties to a sluggish economy and aging infrastructure. It also reported strained household budgets and third-quarter unemployment near 6%, which it described as the highest in more than a decade.
The current seat allocation reflects ordinary votes counted so far. The commission said the totals will change when special votes are counted; official results are scheduled for Nov. 27.
