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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| PM faces tough battle as NZ votes | PM faces tough battle as NZ votes |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| New Zealand is voting in its general election, with polls suggesting a strong challenge to Labour after nine years in power. | |
| The centre-right National Party is hoping to oust Prime Minister Helen Clark and her Green allies, probably with the backing of smaller parties. | The centre-right National Party is hoping to oust Prime Minister Helen Clark and her Green allies, probably with the backing of smaller parties. |
| Some predict a kingmaker role for the Maori Party, which has signalled it could work with either major party. | Some predict a kingmaker role for the Maori Party, which has signalled it could work with either major party. |
| The country's current recession has loomed large in the campaign. | The country's current recession has loomed large in the campaign. |
| But few major policy shifts are expected, whoever wins, analysts say. | But few major policy shifts are expected, whoever wins, analysts say. |
| Both Labour and National have promised tax cuts and extra spending, amid fears that the global credit crisis will hurt New Zealand still further. | Both Labour and National have promised tax cuts and extra spending, amid fears that the global credit crisis will hurt New Zealand still further. |
| About three million people were registered to vote as polls opened at 0900 local time (2000 GMT Friday). They are due to close at 1900 with first results expected around 2200. | About three million people were registered to vote as polls opened at 0900 local time (2000 GMT Friday). They are due to close at 1900 with first results expected around 2200. |
| Early reports suggested turnout was high. | Early reports suggested turnout was high. |
| On a campaign stop in Auckland, Mrs Clark told reporters that a lot of people would only decide who to vote for when they walked into the polling booth. | On a campaign stop in Auckland, Mrs Clark told reporters that a lot of people would only decide who to vote for when they walked into the polling booth. |
| "There's everything to campaign for at this point," she said. | "There's everything to campaign for at this point," she said. |
| Maori interests | Maori interests |
| Since the country introduced proportional voting in 1996, neither of the big parties has won an outright majority and they have always relied on the support of minor parties. | Since the country introduced proportional voting in 1996, neither of the big parties has won an outright majority and they have always relied on the support of minor parties. |
| Helen Clark is one of the world's longest-serving elected female leaders | Helen Clark is one of the world's longest-serving elected female leaders |
| While National can look to allies in the centre and on the right, it may have to seek the backing of the Maori Party, which is expected to retain its four seats in the 120-seat parliament. | While National can look to allies in the centre and on the right, it may have to seek the backing of the Maori Party, which is expected to retain its four seats in the 120-seat parliament. |
| Mrs Clark has said she is willing to bargain with the Maori Party though she opposes some of its policies "diametrically". | Mrs Clark has said she is willing to bargain with the Maori Party though she opposes some of its policies "diametrically". |
| Among Maori demands are the repeal of a law preventing Maoris from claiming rights to the foreshore and seabed, and greater control over government spending on indigenous programmes to prevent waste. | Among Maori demands are the repeal of a law preventing Maoris from claiming rights to the foreshore and seabed, and greater control over government spending on indigenous programmes to prevent waste. |
| "We'll decide totally based on... what we are able to advance for our people," said Maori Party leader Tariana Turia. | "We'll decide totally based on... what we are able to advance for our people," said Maori Party leader Tariana Turia. |
| Any deal, she added, would "come at a cost". | Any deal, she added, would "come at a cost". |
| National Party leader John Key has tried to capitalise on the mood of change seen in the US, with the election of Barack Obama as president this week. | National Party leader John Key has tried to capitalise on the mood of change seen in the US, with the election of Barack Obama as president this week. |
| "Whether that will pervade... in New Zealand will only be found out Saturday night, but here's hoping," he told reporters in Auckland. | "Whether that will pervade... in New Zealand will only be found out Saturday night, but here's hoping," he told reporters in Auckland. |
| "I know in my heart of hearts I'm totally ready to do that job and it would be an enormous privilege to be prime minister, but in the end the voters have got to speak." | "I know in my heart of hearts I'm totally ready to do that job and it would be an enormous privilege to be prime minister, but in the end the voters have got to speak." |
| Election officials say a record number of people have registered to vote, with 2,979,366 enrolled by 1600 on Friday, almost 95% of those eligible, reported the Dominion Post. | Election officials say a record number of people have registered to vote, with 2,979,366 enrolled by 1600 on Friday, almost 95% of those eligible, reported the Dominion Post. |