New Zealand Election Set for Close Contest on November 7

New Zealand’s general election is scheduled for November 7, with polls pointing to a close contest between Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s National-led coalition and opposition parties led by Labour. Neither bloc appears positioned to win a clear majority, leaving smaller parties potentially pivotal in deciding who can form the next government. Luxon is seeking a second term for National, which governs with ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First. Labour leader Chris Hipkins is campaigning to return to office after his party lost the 2023 election. The leaders made final appeals to voters on November 5, with Luxon urging support for National and Hipkins asking voters to make Labour the largest party. Polling snapshots reported during the campaign put the right-leaning bloc slightly ahead in one survey, while other descriptions showed no clear path to a majority for either side. These are indications of voter preferences, not election results. The final balance will depend on votes cast and the number of seats won by each party. Opportunity, led by Qiulae Wong, could affect the outcome if it secures enough support to enter Parliament. National leader Luxon has ruled out...