Polling stations closed across New Zealand on Saturday, 7 November, as the nation’s general election reached its first official stop. According to WAM, the ruling centre‑right National Party and main opposition Labour Party are now near deadlocked in the popular vote.
WAM reported that, with only 27.4 percent of the results counted, both parties are polling just below 30 percent of the popular vote, separated by only a few thousand votes. The tally shows a very close race, with the early count reflecting a near tie that could shift as the remaining ballots are counted.
The Electoral Commission confirmed the early numbers, noting that the ongoing count is still in its first third. WAM added that the full results will be released on 27 November, when the remaining ballots are tabulated and verified.
Observers say the outcome will depend on the thousands of votes still to be tallied, a situation that could see either party surge or fall in the final tally. For now, the two major parties sit almost level as the country waits for the remaining votes to be counted and announced.
