The opposition National Party has won the New Zealand election, taking enough seats to form a coalition with its allies on the right wing of politics.
Incumbent Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins, of Labour, phoned National’s leader Chris Luxon to concede defeat. Mr Luxon thanked National voters and said they had reached for hope and voted for change.
It marks a rapid elevation for Mr Luxon, who became an MP in 2020 and a National leader only a year later. National was projected to win 50 seats with around 39% of the vote.
That tally combined with the 11 projected seats of Act, a natural ally on the right, would give it the thinnest of majorities in what looks likely to be a 121-seat parliament.
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