WELLINGTON: New Zealanders are voting this week in an election focused on rising costs of living and the economy, as pollsters forecast a tight contest and neither main party close to winning a majority.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is hoping his right-wing coalition can cling to power with a message of “no new taxes” and by painting his opponents as an unpredictable alliance of left-wingers.
But the opposition Labour Party is banking that voter worries about costs of living will see it returned to office.
Here’s what you need to know about the poll:
- What are the key issues? –
The cost of living is the biggest issue for voters, according to the RNZ-Reid Research Poll run by New Zealand’s public broadcaster.
Sixty-four per cent of respondents said inflation and rising costs were their biggest concerns, followed by the state of New Zealand’s healthcare system and then petrol prices.
The economy and rising unemployment rounded out the top five issues, according to the poll.
- Who’s running? –
Luxon, a millionaire businessman-turned-politician, has led his National Party to worrying lows in polls and had to fend off two leadership challenges this year.
Luxon has told AFP he sees himself as a “super salesman” for the country and would push for more free-trade deals if re-elected.
His main opponent is Labour former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who succeeded Jacinda Ardern in 2023 and has seized on National’s inability to curb the cost of living to revive his party’s fortunes.
But with polls suggesting neither will win an outright majority in parliament, both will need help from minor parties to govern.
On the left, the Green Party has surged to record support by focusing on living costs, with plans to take on New Zealand’s supermarket duopoly and impose a wealth tax on the country’s richest residents.
On the right, populist Winston Peters and his NZ First – known for colourful and controversial language at home and abroad – have pledged swingeing cuts to immigration and to pull the country out of the Paris Climate Accord.
And the libertarian ACT party – led by former “Dancing With The Stars” contestant David Seymour – forms the third pillar of the right-wing alliance that has ruled New Zealand since 2023.
In the centre, Qiulae Wong of the Opportunity Party stands as a potential kingmaker, promising greater action on climate change and a kinder, more empathetic style of politics.
- When does the voting start and end? –
It’s already begun.
New Zealanders have been able to cast their votes since October 26.
Saturday is the final day of voting, with polls set to close at 7:00 pm (0600 GMT).
An exit poll is expected to be released immediately.