The special votes have been counted and the National Party has lost its outright majority, losing a seat to the Greens.
But it still has the numbers to govern thanks to support from ACT and United Future, and a deal it's signing tomorrow with the Maori Party.
"This is a good result for the Green Party," says Greens co-leader Russel Norman.
Around 331,000 special votes have been counted and the revised seating plan looks a bit different. On the right, National has 60 seats – down one from election night – and that means it loses its outright majority.
But ACT and United Future bump them up to 62 seats, and tomorrow the Maori Party will formally pledge its support, adding two more seats and giving the Government 64 of 121 seats.
For the Opposition, Labour remains unchanged at 32 seats. The Greens are up one to 14. Winston Peters and New Zealand First still have 11, taking the total to 57 seats.
Today the special votes confirmed Marama Fox will be joining Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell in the House. Mr Flavell is expected to be named Maori Affairs Minister tomorrow, and on The Nation this morning he was coy about what else he's asking for.
"You'll have to wait," he says.
Last term, the Maori Party had eight ministerial positions, and Mr Flavell says this year will be in line with that.
So while the Maori Party has been losing support over the years, it's still a two-person strong army that Prime Minister John Key will be relieved to have on his side in Parliament. Tomorrow we'll find out just how much he's prepared to give in return.
3 News
source: newshub archive
