No clear winner after tight New Zealand general election

There was no clear winner following New Zealand's election on Saturday, as the leaders of its two major parties preparing for negotiations to form a coalition government. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's centre-right National Party won 42 seats but was 19 short of the simple majority needed to form a government, despite being the largest party, preliminary results show. Combined with their coalition partners ACT and New Zealand First, they would have a slim lead over the left-leaning bloc if a deal could be reached.

But opposition leader Chris Hipkins, whose Labour Party won 36 seats, showed no signs of conceding, saying the "shape of the next government" will remain uncertain "for a while". Projections show the National Party on 42 seats and Labour on 36. The Greens are on 16, with ACT on 13, New Zealand First on 12, the Opportunity Party on 7 and Te Pāti Māori, which represents Māori interests, on 5.

Luxon congratulated Hipkins on a "very hard-fought race" before addressing party colleagues, saying "whatever the final count, we are incredibly proud of each and everyone for you".