New Zealand election partial count shows slim lead for incumbent coalition

Partial vote counts in New Zealand's general election show the incumbent coalition with a slim lead. Final results, including overseas votes, are due November 27.

In New Zealand's elections, a partial count of 35.3% of votes shows a slim majority for the incumbent coalition. The votes of New Zealand citizens living abroad, about one million out of a population of just over five million, may be decisive. An unprecedented number of them have registered to vote. Results will be published on November 27. The elections are taking place against the backdrop of a severe economic slowdown and widespread political dissatisfaction. The two major parties, the conservative party led by Prime Minister Luxon and Labour led by Hipkins, are suffering from nearly historically low support levels. Local families report that the weekly shopping bill has doubled from about NZD 200 to NZD 400, fuel prices have surged by over 24% in the past year, and the unemployment rate has climbed to 5.7% - the highest level in over a decade. New Zealand has lost nearly 40,000 net citizens annually over the past two years.