New Zealand's election is still too close to call after the preliminary count

Preliminary results give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's governing coalition of National, ACT and NZ First 67 seats, a narrow majority, but Luxon says the race is too close to call. Labour leader Chris Hipkins has not conceded. The new Opportunity party crossed the 5% threshold to enter Parliament for the first time. Special votes are still to be counted, and final official results are due November 27.

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Why it matters

Who governs New Zealand depends on special votes, including from New Zealanders overseas, which are still to be counted. If the governing coalition loses its narrow lead, the new Opportunity party could decide which side forms a government.

What to watch

The Electoral Commission is due to release final official results, including special votes, on November 27.

How each side sees it

Luxon saysNational is again the largest party and has a pathway to forming the next government, but it is too close to call.

Hipkins saysEvery vote matters and every vote must be counted.

Sources

Checked against 3 established news sources:

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Published Saturday, November 7, 2026. Spot an error? Email [email protected]. See our corrections log and standards.