Summary
Preliminary results show the governing coalition with a narrow majority – the National, ACT and New Zealand First parties had 67 of 131 seats in preliminary results released on Sunday, against a projected 57 for the Labour, Green and Te Pāti Māori parties; neither Prime Minister Christopher Luxon nor Labour leader Chris Hipkins claimed victory on election night. As we look towards the New Zealand election 2026, these results may influence future campaigns and strategies.
The result is not final until the special votes are counted – nearly 400,000 votes cast under special circumstances, including those of New Zealanders living overseas, are still to be counted, and final results are due on 27 November; coalition negotiations could take weeks after that as parties prepare for the implications of the New Zealand election 2026.
The New Zealand dollar rose about 0.5% against the US dollar in early Asian trading on Monday – InvestingLive described the move as more likely a thin-liquidity Monday open than a verdict on the result, since the outcome will not be settled until the final count
What the preliminary results showed
| Election date | Saturday 7 November 2026 |
| Seats in Parliament | 131 (66 needed for a majority) |
| National, ACT and NZ First | 67 seats in preliminary results |
| Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori | A projected 57 seats |
| Special votes still to be counted | Nearly 400,000, including overseas votes |
| Final results due | 27 November 2026 |
Party vote shares reported
- National fell to about 29%, from about 38% in 2023
- Labour was just short of 30%
- ACT reached about 10.9% and New Zealand First about 9.8%, both up on 2023
- The Opportunity Party won close to 6%
- The Greens had their strongest parliamentary result in their history
Reports said the campaign was dominated by a soft economy and the cost of living.
How New Zealand’s system works
New Zealand uses a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system. Each voter casts two votes: one for an electorate MP and one for a party. Seats are allocated broadly in proportion to the party vote, and extra “overhang” seats can be added when a party wins more electorates than its party vote entitles it to.
Special votes are cast by voters who cannot cast an ordinary vote, for example because they are voting outside their own electorate, are overseas, or enrolled after the writ date. Each one is checked for eligibility and sent back to the right electorate before it is counted, which is why it takes longer. Special votes are often associated with overseas voters, but in 2023 only about 14% came from overseas. Because they are counted later, they can shift the final seat numbers, which is why a narrow preliminary result is not final.
What happens next
- Special votes are counted, and final results are due on 27 November 2026.
- If the numbers hold, the governing parties would be in a position to continue, and talks would settle the terms of the coalition.
- If they shift, other combinations become possible, and negotiations could take longer. Reports noted that the Opportunity Party could be a decisive vote if neither bloc has a majority.
- Formation of a government can take weeks after the final count. After the 2023 election, it took about three weeks of negotiations to announce a coalition.
How markets reacted
- The NZD rose about 0.5% against the USD in early Asian trade on Monday (InvestingLive).
- That move should not be read as a verdict on the election. With the count unresolved, analysts described it as thin-liquidity trading.
What about interest rates?
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand makes its monetary policy decisions independently of the government. At its 28 October meeting, the RBNZ held the Official Cash Rate at 2.75% in a 4-3 vote. Governor Anna Breman said the timing, which fell about ten days before the election, had nothing to do with it. The RBNZ’s next decision is the Monetary Policy Statement on 9 December 2026.
What it means for sending money from New Zealand
Elections can add uncertainty to a currency, but exchange rates respond to many things at once, including central bank decisions, commodity prices, global risk sentiment and data from other countries. When the New Zealand dollar is stronger, each New Zealand dollar you send converts into more of the destination currency, all else equal, and when it is weaker, into less.
- No one can reliably predict exchange rates, including around elections. OrbitRemit does not give advice on exchange rate timing.
- The rate shown when you confirm a transfer is the rate you get. The exchange rate and the exact destination amount are shown before you confirm.
- Compare the total received, not just the fee.
OrbitRemit makes its margin on the exchange rate, which is shown before you confirm.
FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Who won the New Zealand election?
The result is not final. In preliminary counts, the National, ACT and New Zealand First parties had 67 of 131 seats, one more than the 66 needed for a majority. Special votes are still to be counted.
When will the final results be announced?
Final results are due on 27 November 2026.
What are special votes?
Votes cast by people who cannot cast an ordinary vote, for example because they are voting outside their own electorate, are overseas, or enrolled after the writ date. They are checked and counted after election day and can change the final seat numbers.
How long will it take to form a government?
It depends on the final numbers. Coalition negotiations can take several weeks. After the 2023 election, it took about three weeks to announce a coalition.
Did the New Zealand dollar react to the election?
The NZD rose about 0.5% against the US dollar in early Asian trading on Monday, though analysts said the move was more likely thin liquidity than a verdict on the result.
Does the election change what I should do with a transfer?
OrbitRemit cannot advise on timing. What you can do is compare the total your recipient would receive from different providers at the time you send.
Important information
This article is general information only. It is not financial, investment, tax or legal advice, and it does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not a forecast of any election result, exchange rate or interest rate. Election results are preliminary and may change. Market figures and commentary quoted come from third parties and are not OrbitRemit’s views or predictions. OrbitRemit does not take a position on political outcomes. OrbitRemit does not provide advice on exchange rate timing, and its exchange rate includes a margin, with the rate and destination amount shown before you confirm each transfer.
Related guides
- RBNZ holds the OCR at 2.75%
- Ways to send money overseas from New Zealand
- How international money transfers work
- Setting up power, gas and internet when you move to New Zealand
Last updated 9 November 2026.
Sources: ABC News, New Zealand 2026 election reactions and results (7 November 2026) | Al Jazeera, AFP and Reuters, New Zealand’s governing coalition holds slim majority in preliminary count (7 November 2026) | CNN, New Zealand election: nation in political limbo after knife-edge vote (7 November 2026) | InvestingLive, NZD firms in early Asia as New Zealand faces weeks of political limbo (9 November 2026) | Reserve Bank of New Zealand, OCR held at 2.75% media release (28 October 2026) | GoodReturns, RBNZ says no political interference in OCR decision (28 October 2026)
