New Zealand Votes in General Election on November 7

New Zealanders voted on November 7 in a general election that will determine the composition of the 120-seat House of Representatives under the mixed-member proportional system. Polling places opened at 9 a.m. and closed at 7 p.m. local time. Preliminary results began appearing shortly afterward on the Electoral Commission site.

Nearly 3.8 million people were enrolled, representing about 93.6 percent of those eligible. Advance voting ran from October 26 to November 6. Officials expect roughly 700,000 special votes, which are counted after election night and can shift close races. Official results are scheduled for November 27, with the writ returned on December 3.

The incumbent government is a National-ACT-NZ First coalition led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Opposition parties include Labour under Chris Hipkins and the Green Party. Pre-election polling showed National and Labour closely matched in the high 20s percent range for party vote, with the Greens around 15 percent and ACT near 10 percent. Neither major grouping held a clear majority on average projections, and the new Opportunity party registered in several polls.

Under MMP, parties need 5 percent of the party vote or one electorate seat to enter Parliament. Overhang seats can increase the total beyond 120 if a party wins more electorates than its party vote share would allocate. The election determines control of the government for the next term and sets the agenda on economic policy, housing, climate measures, and relations with Pacific and trading partners.

Results on election night are preliminary. Special votes, which include overseas and late-enrolled ballots, are added later and have altered outcomes in past cycles. The Electoral Commission updates counts progressively through the evening, aiming for substantial coverage by late night. Final allocation of list seats follows the official declaration.

Voters chose both an electorate candidate and a party. The outcome will shape coalition negotiations if no single bloc reaches a majority. As of the close of polls, counting continued and no final projection had been issued by major outlets.