Cost of Living Crisis 'Cost Government Votes'

The Northland dairy farmer, who is retiring on health grounds after serving two terms, believes National bled votes as a result of high cost of living.

“I would also add that the incumbent government I think like many incumbent governments around the world have shouldered tumultuous international,” he told Rural News.

“So, our election appears to be a reflection of that.”

With the ordinary vote counted, the incumbent coalition parties - National, ACT and New Zealand First - hold 67 seats to the left bloc's 56, with the centrist Opportunity party getting over the parliamentary line for the first time with 7 seats.

There is a provisional parliamentary overhang of 11 seats.

That means a parliamentary majority requires 66 seats, which the right bloc has on the provisional results. Even with the Opportunity Party’s provisional seven seats, the left would still not have the numbers.

The final make-up of Parliament will be determined after special votes are counted over the next three weeks.

Groundswell co-founder Bryce McKenzie believes “a massive amount” of National party votes were wasted due to National not making use of the overhang and confusing people.

“Unfortunately going to be a while before there will be any certainty,” he told Rural News.