New Zealanders cast final votes as cost of living dominates race
More than 1.6 million citizens have already voted in a tightly contested election where no party is expected to secure a majority.
By Austin Reed ·
New Zealanders entered the final day of voting on Saturday, with polling stations opening at 9 a.m. local time and closing at 7 p.m. The election centers on the rising cost of living and the state of the national economy. By the end of Thursday, more than 1.6 million voters had cast their ballots out of nearly 3.8 million eligible citizens, according to the Electoral Commission. Early voting began on October 26.
The governing centre-right National Party and the opposition centre-left Labour Party are neck and neck in recent opinion polls. Neither party is on course to win enough seats to govern alone. A handful of seats will likely determine who forms the next government. Parties are campaigning on economic issues, but their proposed solutions differ. The National Party pledges to return the budget to surplus through fiscal discipline while expanding the national pension scheme. The Labour Party focuses on reducing the cost of living by promising cheaper healthcare and transport.
Strict laws govern the final day of the election. New Zealand enforces a 19-hour blackout that bars all political commentary until polling places close. This rule applies to political parties, news outlets, and social media users. Campaigners cannot discuss likely outcomes or campaign issues. Billboards and advertising must be removed. Bumper stickers, T-shirts, and social media profile pictures are also covered by the ban. Individuals who breach the law can face a fine of up to 20,000 New Zealand dollars, which is equivalent to 11,000 US dollars.
The Electoral Commission aims to release preliminary results from 95 percent of polling stations by the end of election night on Saturday. A final result, which includes ballots cast by New Zealanders abroad, is expected by November 27. The country holds a general election every three years using a mixed-member proportional system. Voters select a local electorate candidate and a political party rather than electing a national leader directly.
Electorate winners earn a seat in the parliament, which typically has 120 seats. The highest-ranked members of each party also secure seats based on the national party vote. This system ensures that the distribution of seats in parliament reflects the proportion of votes each party receives nationwide. The outcome of this election will determine the next government's approach to economic policy and public services.
