The New Zealand general election has begun with the National party and its coalition leading early counts. Prime Minister Chris Luxon's party secured a strong start in the initial results, according to preliminary data from the electoral commission.
The early results, released on Tuesday, show the National party holding a significant lead over its main opposition, the Labour party. With over 30% of the votes counted, National has already surpassed the threshold needed to form a government. The coalition includes the New Zealand First party and the Māori Party, both of which have also seen early gains.
This election follows a period of political uncertainty, with the previous government led by Jacinda Ardern, who resigned in 2023. The current election is seen as a test of public sentiment on economic stability and social policies. The final results are expected to be announced in the coming days, with a clear majority likely to be determined by the end of the week.
