Updated: 9:23pm – New Zealand has a new Labour-led government in a coalition with New Zealand First – ending nine years of National governments.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, speaking shortly before 7pm from the Beehive, said it had secured policies to advance economic positions and he wanted to address poverty.
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“That’s why in the end we chose a coalition government of New Zealand First with the New Zealand Labour party.”
Look back on how we got here, follow RNZ’s live coverage and here’s what you need to know:
- The new prime minister, Labour leader Jacinda Ardern, will be New Zealand’s second youngest leader.
- Labour will hold a caucus meeting tomorrow to elect people to Cabinet.
- Winston Peters has been offered deputy prime minister role.
- Labour says policy agreements between it and NZ First will be released next week.
- NZ First will have four ministerial portfolios and one under-secretary position
- The government was announced shortly before 7pm, a coalition of Labour and New Zealand First – ending nine years of National governments.
- Mr Peters said the government was a coalition between New Zealand First and Labour, which – in turn – has a confidence and supply arrangement with the Greens.
- Follow our LIVE blog coverage here.
- Negotiations to form the next government began on Sunday 8 October, a day after the official election results were released.
- The final results gave National 56 seats, down two on election night, while Labour and the Greens combined had 54 MPs, up two.
-RNZ
Picture: New Zealand First leader Winston Peters arriving for the announcement. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
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