Polls close in New Zealand election as early count shows tight race
Polls have closed in New Zealand, with about 10% of votes counted and National and Labour almost level, so minor parties are likely to decide the next government.
How it was covered
- BBC News was the only channel found covering it, concentrating on the early count, coalition arithmetic and minor parties.
- Channel 5, BBC One, Channel 4, GB News, ITV and Sky News: not found in tracked broadcasts.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story. Facts only one channel reported are attributed to it.
BBC News reported that polls had closed in New Zealand's general election, with 3.8 million people eligible to vote. It said New Zealand does not allow exit polls, and that there had been no clear front-runner going into polling day.
The current centre-right prime minister, Christopher Luxon, is seeking re-election, BBC News reported. Chris Hipkins, his centre-left predecessor, was expected to be his closest challenger. According to the same report, the rising cost of living, unemployment and health care were key issues for voters.
BBC News said that with about 10% of votes counted, the count was leaning towards a centre-right coalition, but it was too early to call. Ryan Boswell, a reporter for TVNZ, told BBC News that New Zealand's mixed member proportional system gave minor parties a big influence over who forms the next government. He said a new party, the Opportunity Party, had been polling above the 5% threshold and could work with either the left or the right.
BBC News reported the latest Electoral Commission figures as National on 29.4% and Labour on 29.8%. It said the proportional system complicated the count and that National had the most seats at that point, with coalition-building talks expected in the weeks ahead. BBC News also explained that both the left and the right had tried to create an overhang by urging voters to split their party and electorate votes.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, grouped by how many channels reported each one. Select a dot to see the source excerpt.
| Claim |  |
|---|---|
| Only on one channel | |
| Voting closed in New Zealand, where 3.8 million people were eligible to vote. | |
| With about 10% of votes counted, early results put National on 29.4% and Labour on 29.8%, with the count leaning toward a centre-right coalition. | |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC News led with the close of polls and the first count, then spent much of its coverage explaining New Zealand's mixed member proportional system. Its tone was cautious, stressing that only about 10% of votes had been counted and that the result could still go either way. It focused on coalition arithmetic, the role of minor parties and the overhang tactic rather than on a declared winner.
- “New Zealand does not allow exit polls, but going into the day, it was expected both major parties would need to strike deals with smaller rivals to form a government.”
- “Well, at this stage, about 10% of the votes have been counted, and it is leaning towards a centre-right coalition.”
- “There has been no clear front-runner up to the vote”
Who was on air
People and organisations each channel put on air while covering this story. Channels' own presenters and reporters are not listed. Names as transcribed, and the list can miss people.
- 08:14 GMT
Ryan Boswell, reporter for TVNZ
BBC News · Sat 7 Nov
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.