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Luxon says negotiations await as special votes remain uncounted

NZ Herald's full election-night speech adds a timetable for official results and a warning that forming a government will require compromise.

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nzherald.co.nz Story of November 8, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? One of nzherald.co.nz's most watched videos since yesterday, with 127,708 views.

Christopher Luxon speaks to supporters after election results

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0:23Luxon says National is Parliament's largest party, but describes the overall outcome as too close to call.
0:50Around 300,000 special votes remain, he says, with official results due on November 27.
1:28He says forming the next government will require negotiations and compromises.
2:46Luxon acknowledges David Seymour and Winston Peters while discussing future coalition collaboration.
6:09He argues that people who work hard in New Zealand should be able to get ahead.

Christopher Luxon tells National supporters there is a route back to government, but stops short of declaring the election settled: "It is too close to call."

In NZ Herald's broadcast from Auckland's Viaduct Events Centre, the National leader says around 300,000 special votes remain to be counted, with official results due on November 27. That timetable gives his speech a concrete qualification beyond the election-night claim that National has emerged as Parliament's largest party.

"Negotiations and compromises are going to be required," Luxon says. He acknowledges ACT leader David Seymour and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters as he looks towards coalition discussions, adding: "Making MMP work is not easy."

Under New Zealand's mixed-member proportional electoral system, being the largest party does not by itself guarantee enough parliamentary support to govern.

Luxon also congratulates Labour leader Chris Hipkins on a hard-fought campaign and pays tribute to deputy leader Nicola Willis and colleagues facing difficult electorate outcomes. The speech moves from electoral uncertainty to thanks for volunteers, staff and family, before closing with his argument that people who work hard in New Zealand should be able to get ahead.