Considerable Uncertainties Over Next Government’s Composition

RNZ’s poll of polls continues to show that the incumbent Labour Party is likely to lose government following elections to be held this Saturday October 14. However, if polls are correct the opposition coalition of Nationals/ACT won’t have enough seats to form a majority. This will either mean they make a deal with NZ First, or there is a minority government, or even new elections.

• The poll is projecting that Nationals will win around 46 seats and its ally ACT 13 which brings them 2 seats short of a majority. With NZ First on 8 seats, a coalition with this party would give the grouping a good majority with 67 seats. Labour is expected to win 34, the Greens 16 and Te Pati Maori 3, which would result in only 53 seats. A deal with NZ First would give them 61 – a slim majority.
• National’s leader Luxon has said that he will work to achieve an agreement with any leader he needs to be able to form a majority government, according to RNZ. He also believes that he can come to a deal with NZ First. Luxon said that he is standing by his income tax cut policy despite criticism, Nationals don’t support a treaty referendum and that he wants to focus on promoting NZ internationally to increase trade.
• Inflation remains the main concern for voters by far followed by crime, housing and healthcare.