New Zealand election too close to call with over 95% of votes counted

Initial results in New Zealand show the two main parties neck-and-neck with fewer than 4,000 votes separating them. Official results aren't expected until later this month once special votes have been counted.

The two main parties were effectively deadlocked in New Zealand 's close-fought general elections on Saturday, with the rising cost of living and general economic problems the main issues at stake. Results with 95% votes counted showed the ruling center-right National Party and the opposition Labour Party neck-and-neck with just under 30% of the vote.

Incumbent Prime Minister Cristopher Luxon, who heads the National Party, said that his party "is once again the largest party in parliament, and we have a pathway to forming the next government." The National Party currently governs in coalition with the pro-business ACT and the right-wing populist New Zealand First. According to preliminary results, the three parties are set to net a total 67 seats in parliament, amounting to a wafer-thin majority.