UPDATE - New Zealand National party secures lead over ruling party

CHANGES DECK, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – With nearly all the votes counted, New Zealand’s opposition National Party has secured an apparent victory over the ruling Labour Party in Saturday’s general elections.

According to the nation’s Electoral Commission, so far the National Party has secured 50 seats in the 121-seat Parliament, following by Labour with 34 seats, with 98% of the vote counted.

So far the Green Party has won 13 seats, ACT New Zealand 12, New Zealand First Party eight, and the Indigenous rights Te Pati Maori party four.

One seat was added just days ago to Parliament from its normal 120 seats after the unexpected death of one of the candidates. A by-election will select the 121st member.

Christopher Luxon, the National Party leader, celebrated his party’s victory in the election, saying New Zealanders had voted for change.

"Thank you New Zealand. Now let's go get our country back on track!," he said on X.

Outgoing Prime Minister and Labour leader Chris Hipkins also congratulated Luxon.

"The result tonight is not one that any of us wanted. But I want you to be proud of what we achieved over the last six years, because despite governing through some of the biggest challenges our country has ever faced, we kept New Zealand moving forward and we protected those who needed help the most," state-run RNZ quoted Hipkins as saying.

The country's Electoral Commission said that the official results will be published on Nov. 3.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid