Wellington (AFP) – New Zealand is set to vote on Saturday in one of the tightest elections in its history, with neither the ruling National Party nor the Labor Party appearing to be able to win an absolute majority in a vote marked by concerns over the cost of living.
Published on: 06/11/2026 - 11:58
Polling stations are due to open at 9:00 a.m. local time on Saturday (8:00 p.m. GMT Friday) and will close at 7:00 p.m. (06:00 a.m. GMT Saturday), although voters have had the opportunity to vote for the legislative elections since last week.
Local law imposes a strict media silence from 11:00 GMT on Friday, until the polling stations close.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hopes his pledges not to introduce new taxes will help his right-wing coalition stay in power after a turbulent three years in office, with two failed attempts by his party to impeach him and a flagging economy.
Opposition leader and former Labor prime minister Chris Hipkins is seeking to establish himself as an alternative.
His party has proposed a package of measures to help ease economic pressure on New Zealanders: the price of basic goods remains very high and unemployment has reached its highest level in more than a decade.
With the polls being very close, attention is also turning to emerging movements, such as the centrist Opportunity Party (TOP), led by Qiulae Wong.
“This is certainly one of the closest elections, and one of the most difficult to predict in my entire career,” David Capie, professor at Victoria University of Wellington, told AFP.
“The prices are really high”
On the streets of Wellington, many New Zealanders told AFP they were struggling to make ends meet and thinking twice before spending.
“The prices are really high,” says cultural advisor Jay Ikaua. "I have to make thoughtful decisions. Do I buy this? Do I not buy it?"
Rachel Shardlow, a 26-year-old civil servant, described the situation as "shocking".
“I only pay my rent and my bills, and I struggle to put money aside and save for my future,” she laments.
“Hope” and “optimism”
A final poll published on Friday placed the Labor Party slightly ahead of the National Party, with 30% of the vote.
Polls give more than 5% of the votes to the Opportunities Party (TOP), which would guarantee it seats in Parliament. It would be a historic first in New Zealand if a small party without links to the two main political parties managed to enter Parliament, observers note.
The party is led by Qiulae Wong, a former KPMG consultant and emerging figure in New Zealand politics, who has pledged to work with either party if elected.
"I think New Zealanders are really fed up with the insults between politicians, the bickering and the political maneuvering to score points," she told AFP last week.
“They want something different, and they really yearn for hope and optimism for the future.”
© 2026 AFP
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