New Zealand’s main political parties have concluded their election campaigns ahead of Saturday’s vote, with opinion polls indicating a close contest amid economic difficulties and declining public confidence in the major parties.
The opposition Labour Party and other left-leaning groups are seeking to unseat the centre-right National Party-led coalition, which could become the country’s first one-term government in nearly 50 years.
The economy and rising living costs dominated the campaign as voters prepared to choose a new parliament.
A poll released on Friday by industry association Infrastructure New Zealand put Labour’s support at 30.7 per cent, ahead of the National Party’s 26.4 per cent.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledged the close nature of the contest, urging supporters to turn out and vote.
“It is going to be close. It will be tight, and that’s why you’ve got to get out and make sure you do vote,” Luxon told supporters and journalists on Friday.
He added that the election result, rather than opinion polls, would determine the outcome.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who served briefly as prime minister before losing to Luxon in 2023, said he was increasingly confident his party would emerge as the largest in parliament.
However, he declined to discuss possible coalition arrangements, saying it was too early to do so.
Voting ahead of election day began on October 26, with Electoral Commission figures showing that nearly 1.67 million people had cast their ballots by Thursday, representing more than one-third of eligible voters.
Winston Peters, leader of New Zealand First, a partner in the governing coalition, cast his ballot before journalists in Auckland on Friday, the final day of campaigning.
Campaigning and political advertising are prohibited from midnight until voting closes at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Election signs must also be removed, while media organisations are barred from publishing or sharing material that could influence voters.
Coalition Government Expected
New Zealand’s electoral system makes coalition governments common, and the close race is expected to leave smaller parties playing a significant role in determining the next administration.
Although preliminary results are expected from Saturday evening, political commentators believe negotiations could take several weeks as parties await the final count and work out coalition arrangements.
Support for smaller parties has increased amid declining confidence in the two dominant political groups.
Friday’s poll placed the centrist Opportunity Party on 5.1 per cent, slightly above the threshold for parliamentary representation, potentially giving it a decisive role in coalition negotiations.
New Zealand is also grappling with a slow recovery from a prolonged economic downturn, with subdued growth, pressure on household finances and rising unemployment.
