New Zealand election enters final day with tight race

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 17:11 · Archive

New Zealand holds its election on 7 November as polls show a race too close to call.

New Zealand votes on 7 November as the election campaign enters its final day. The top seven parties held their final TVNZ debate on Thursday night, with around one million viewers expected to have tuned in—roughly 25 per cent of the electorate. Veteran MP Winston Peters described the campaign as the 'worst election campaign' in his 48-year political career.

Polls point to a race too close to call. The new party Opportunity is shaping as holding the balance of power and deciding the outcome in post-election coalition negotiations. Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong's party welcomes comparisons to Australia's teal movement, championing integrity, climate and bipartisanship.

The debate proved heated. Finance Minister Nicola Willis, deputising for Prime Minister Chris Luxon, was particularly combative, clashing with Greens leader Chloe Swarbrick and Maori Party MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke. Several audience questions focused on cross-party collaboration, though responses often descended into acrimony. Willis defended New Zealand's economic position compared to Australia, noting that inflation and interest rates are higher across the Tasman.

How it is being reported

• Parties thrash it out as NZ election reaches endgameNew Zealanders have reached the end of what veteran MP Winston Peters described as the "worst election campaign" in his 48-year political career.The West Australian · 5 Nov, 16:34
• Parties thrash it out as NZ election reaches endgameNew Zealanders have reached the end of what veteran MP Winston Peters described as the "worst election campaign" in his 48-year political career.Perth Now · 5 Nov, 16:34

In this story: New Zealand · Chris Luxon · Nicola Willis · Qiulae Wong · Chloe Swarbrick · Winston Peters · Opportunity · National

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