New Zealand braces for knife-edge election: What you need to know

What the report says

New Zealand is heading into a closely fought general election on November 7, with polls showing the governing centre-right National Party and the opposition centre-left Labour Party running nearly even. According to Al Jazeera’s report, neither main party is expected to secure the 61 seats needed to govern alone in the 120-seat parliament, making coalition talks and support from smaller parties likely to determine the outcome.

The country uses a mixed-member proportional system, under which voters cast two ballots and party share largely determines the size of each bloc in parliament. That system usually produces coalition governments, and the current contest appears to be no exception. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who leads National, is seeking a second term after returning his party to power in 2023. Labour leader Chris Hipkins is trying to bring his party back into government after losing the last election.

The report says the main campaign issues include the economy, cost of living, housing, health care, immigration and voting rights. Smaller parties on both the left and right could prove decisive, including New Zealand First, ACT, the Greens, Te Pati Maori and Opportunity. Depending on whether these parties cross the 5 percent threshold or win electorate seats, they could alter the final seat count and shape which bloc can form a government.

The article also notes that in past elections, minor parties have played kingmaker roles in New Zealand politics, sometimes securing senior posts in exchange for backing a governing coalition.