New Zealand election race deadlocked as voting begins
Voting opened for New Zealand's November 7 election with National and Labour deadlocked in polls.
Voting began Monday for New Zealand's general election, with 207 polling places open. The number will rise to more than 2,300 on election day.
Recent polls show the race is far too close to call. One survey has National at 32 per cent and Labour at 27 per cent.
Another puts Labour ahead 28.7 per cent to 27.6 per cent. The smaller Opportunity party is polling near five per cent.
Parties at that level usually decide who leads the government. New Zealand's mixed-member proportional system requires coalition governments, making smaller parties crucial.
Enrolment closed Sunday, a change that drew criticism for potentially excluding some voters.
- 32 per cent
- National primary vote
- 27 per cent
- Labour primary vote
- Around 5 per cent
- Opportunity party threshold
- 3,729,667 as of October 21
- Enrolled voters
Why it mattersIn New Zealand's coalition system, the smallest parties often decide who leads the government; the Opportunity party's likely kingmaker role means its policies could shape the next administration.
AustraliaNew Zealand is Australia's closest neighbor and major trade partner; the election outcome will shape the regional relationship and trade policy for the next three years.
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