The Electoral Commission has released the preliminary results for the 2026 General Election, revealing what looks set to be a close run to the counting finish line.
The governing National, ACT, and NZ First coalition holds a slim provisional majority of 67 seats, just one seat more than the 66 required to govern. However, final confirmation of just who will be in power hinges on around 14% of special votes, which won’t be finalised until the Official Results are declared.
The preliminary results are based on the 2,432,403 ordinary votes counted on election night, including informal votes. They are indicative only and will change after special votes have been checked and counted, the Commission said in a statement.
The total number of estimated votes is 2,831,768 (including the number of ordinary and special votes).
Mr Luxon took to his social media on Sunday morning, saying the election was “too close to call” and thanking those who voted.
“New Zealand has voted, and it looks like an MMP special. On the current count, National is once again the largest party in parliament, but with around 300,000 special votes still to be counted, it’s too close to call,” he wrote.
“To every New Zealander who gave National their vote, to our members, volunteers and team, and to the people of Botany for putting your trust in me again: thank you. I’m humbled by your support, and energised by it too.
“Elections are a special time when all Kiwis get the chance to exercise their democratic rights – thank you to every single person who took the opportunity to get out and vote.”
The Official Results process started today and is expected to be completed in 20 days. The Commission said the date for the release of the final results is Friday 27 November.
A summary of party votes, electorate votes and advance votes is available at www.electionresults.govt.nz. The website also shows the projected distribution of seats by party as calculated by the Sainte-Laguë formula based on the preliminary results. Preliminary results by voting place for each electorate are also available.
