Return of the kingmaker: Nats need Winston

Incoming prime minister Christopher Luxon has been waiting anxiously for the special votes to be counted. (Image: Getty)

Staff reporters

Fri, 03 Nov 2023

National and Act will need the support of NZ First to form the next government, based on the final election results released today.The final results mean National loses two seats compared to on election night on Oct 14 - and with it the slim one-seat majority it held with Act.In other major results, Te Pāti Māori recorded its best-ever result, taking another two Māori electorate seats off Labour in Te Tai Tonga and Tāmaki Makaurau, meaning they won six of the Māori electorates.Their result means Parliament will have a two-seat overhang, as they...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Friday, Oct 24

Take a break and try our quiz.

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Finance

Kiwibank wary of capital-review barrier to growth

Kiwibank raises issues of competitive advantage.

Andy Macdonald 9:00am

Kiwibank wary of capital-review barrier to growth

Primary Sector

US$411b on the table: will NZ claim a slice?

Infrastructure will be a major focus of the NZ EU Summit, but Ukraine might be too.

Dileepa Fonseka 8:30am

US$411b on the table: will NZ claim a slice?

Sponsored

NZ risks losing edge as Australia takes lead in cleaner jet fuel

Experts warn SAF delay could cost jobs and growth.

Z Energy

Sponsored

Focus on safety of SME vehicle fleets

Vehicle glass repairer’s work enhances road safety.

Smith & Smith

More Politics

Primary Sector

US$411b on the table: will NZ claim a slice?

Infrastructure will be a major focus of the NZ EU Summit, but Ukraine might be too.

Dileepa Fonseka 8:30am

News in Brief

Willis considered downgrading RBNZ governor status

Newly released Government documents show Finance Minister Nicola Willis sought urgent advice from Treasury on improving oversight of the Reserve Bank of NZ (RBNZ), following Adrian Orr’s messy resignation as governor in March.Treasury, which had been appalled by the bank’s reques...

Staff reporters 21 Oct 2025