After weeks of delay, coalition government takes shape in New Zealand

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – After weeks of delay, New Zealand formally have a new coalition government in place following general elections last month.

National Party leader Christopher Luxon will lead the government as prime minister, while Winston Peters of the New Zealand First party has made a return to the government.

Peters will serve as deputy prime minister for half of the parliamentary term until May 2025, as Luxon leads the coalition of three parties along with ACT New Zealand.

“I’ve spoken with the governor general to inform her that I can form a government,” Luxon said, adding his Cabinet will be sworn in on Monday.

He said the coalition partners “are ready to get to work to make this great country even better.”

The National Party won 48 out of 122 seats in the October general elections, but it needed the support of both ACT New Zealand, with 11 seats, and New Zealand First, with eight seats, to form a government.

Failure to come to an early agreement had led extension of caretaker government led by outgoing Prime Minister Chris Hipkins beyond its mandate, which originally ended on Nov. 11.

Hipkins-led New Zealand Labour Party won 34 seats, the Green Party earned 15 seats and Te Pati Maori got six seats.

“New Zealanders want change that makes our lives easier. We want change that improves our opportunities. We want change that makes this great country even better,” Luxon said.

“The new coalition government of National, ACT and New Zealand First will be stable, effective and will deliver that change,” he added.