New Zealand Election: Luxon Needs 2 Other Partners to Govern

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Facts

  • According to the final results from New Zealand's Oct. 14 election — released Friday — the country's conservative National Party must enter a coalition with two other parties in order to reach a majority within the country's 122-seat parliament.1
  • Full results by the Electoral Commission show the National Party to have won 48 seats, with Labour New Zealand winning 34, the Green Party 15, right-wing ACT New Zealand 11, New Zealand First eight, and Te Pāti Māori six.2
  • Following the counting of special votes and an overall second count, the Electoral Commission revealed that the National Party gained 38.1% of the popular vote, compared to 26.9% for Labour, 11.6% for the Greens, 8.6% for ACT, 6.1% for New Zealand First, and 3.1% for Māori.3
  • The voting count given on election night had predicted a slim majority for the National Party in coalition with the ACT Party. However, following a full count, opposition parties in reality gained three seats, with the National Party losing two compared to prior estimates.4
  • Speaking following the official results, National Party leader Christopher Luxon — who now needs the support of New Zealand First to form a government — stated that the result was 'much as we expected' and that there is 'good will and good faith' that a coalition will be formed following negotiations with other party leaders.5
  • Outgoing Prime Minister Christopher Hipkins, leader of the Labour Party, conceded to Luxon on election night following a nine month term in office. Hipkins had taken over from Jacinda Ardern in January after she stated that she didn't have 'enough in the tank' for the role.6

Sources: 1Reuters, 2Saltwire, 3NZ Herald, 4Evening Standard, 5RNZ and 6Independent.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by NewstalkZB. Now knowing the final vote results, the requirements for what is necessary for Luxon to form a government are set in stone. Following hints that negotiations have taken place for weeks, excitement over the initial honeymoon of a new political beginning in New Zealand is inevitable. There is much hope that an agreement will come together before the electorate grows impatient.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Stuff. Dashing hopes of Luxon forming an immediate majority with the help of ACT, the finish line of a New Zealand government continues to exist only in the distant future. Following a feisty campaign, there are genuine worries as to whether a sensible agreement can, in reality, take place. With Luxon noncommittal on a timeframe, New Zealand's politics could be destined to remain in purgatory for some time.