How a New Zealand election resulted in a government without the most popular party
In short: In 2017, New Zealand voters participated in a high-stakes election that fundamentally reshaped the nation's political landscape. Despite the incumbent administration securing the highest number of seats, a strategic coalition between opposition groups shifted the balance of power, marking the first time under the proportional system that the most popular party was excluded.
The 2017 general election, held on 23 September, determined the composition of the 52nd Parliament. Under New Zealand's mixed-member proportional voting system, voters cast two ballots: one for a local candidate and one for a political party. This structure often necessitates coalition building, as it is rare for a single party to win an outright majority of the 120 available seats.
The campaign was notable for significant leadership transitions. Prime Minister Bill English led the incumbent National Party, while Jacinda Ardern took the helm of the Labour Party just seven weeks before the vote. This marked the first time since 1975 that both major parties entered an election with new leadership. While the National Party secured a plurality of 56 seats, they fell short of the 61 required to govern alone. The Green Party saw its representation drop to 8 seats following a controversy involving co-leader Metiria Turei, while the Māori Party lost all parliamentary representation.
The balance of power rested with New Zealand First, which held 9 seats. On 19 October 2017, party leader Winston Peters announced a minority coalition agreement with Labour, supported by a confidence and supply deal with the Greens. This outcome ended nine years of National Party governance and inaugurated the Sixth Labour Government. The shift was finalized after the counting of special votes, which adjusted the seat distribution and underscored the complexity of the proportional system. The process highlighted the necessity of negotiation in a parliamentary environment where the party with the most votes does not automatically secure the right to lead.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2017 New Zealand general election
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