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PM in tough fight as NZ poll ends Early poll lead for NZ opposition
(about 3 hours later)
Voting has ended in New Zealand's general election, in which the ruling Labour party has faced a strong challenge after nine years in power. The main opposition party in New Zealand looks set to end the Labour Party's nine years in power after a strong showing in the general election.
The centre-right National Party is hoping to oust Prime Minister Helen Clark and her Green allies, probably with the backing of smaller parties. With 76% of the vote counted, officials say the centre-right National Party has 46% of the vote, against 33% for Prime Minister Helen Clark's Labour Party.
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.
Provisional results are expected at around midnight local time (1100 GMT) Provisional results are expected at around midnight local time (1100 GMT).
The country's current recession has loomed large in the campaign. Analysts say the swing to John Key's National Party is roughly in line with opinion polls.
But few major policy shifts are expected, whoever wins, analysts say. The country's economic recession has loomed large in the campaign. 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 hit New Zealand hard.
About three million people were registered to vote as polls opened at 0900 local time (2000 GMT Friday) and early reports suggested turnout was high. About three million people were registered to vote - a record number for the country - and early reports suggested turnout was high.
Casting her vote in Auckland, Mrs Clark told reporters she felt "very, very positive" about her chances. Casting her vote in Auckland, Mrs Clark told reporters she felt "very, very positive" about her chances. She has told voters now was not the time to gamble on an inexperienced leader.
"We have countless thousands of people mobilising Labour supporters out to the polling booths today, and feeling very good about it," she said. National's John Key, a multimillionaire former currency trader, has tried to capitalise on the mood of change seen in the US, with the election of Barack Obama as president this week.
Mrs Clark said many people would only be deciding who to vote for when they entered the ballot booth. He has insisted New Zealanders have an overwhelming desire for change.
Maori interestsMaori 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 leadersHelen 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.Mrs Clark has said she is willing to bargain with the Maori Party.
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, a multimillionaire former investment banker, has tried to capitalise on the mood of change seen in the US, with the election of Barack Obama as president this week. Mr Key has said he will be willing to strike a deal with the Maori Party, even though he said his party "diametrically opposed" some of its policies.
He has also said he will be willing to strike a deal with the Maori Party, even though he said his party "diametrically opposed" some of its policies.
Mr Key told reporters he was "not going to make predictions" about the election result.Mr Key told reporters he was "not going to make predictions" about the election result.
"I'll leave it in the hands of New Zealanders. We've done our best over the last four to eight weeks, and now it's for to the New Zealand public to decide," he said."I'll leave it in the hands of New Zealanders. We've done our best over the last four to eight weeks, and now it's for to the New Zealand public to decide," he said.
Election officials say a record number of people registered to vote, with 2,979,366 enrolled by 1600 on Friday, almost 95% of those eligible, reported the Dominion Post.