New Zealand's new lawmakers start to arrive at parliament

Dozens of newly elected lawmakers will start to arrive at New Zealand's parliament this week, even as the country faces a weeks-long wait to learn who will govern after an election that left the incumbent centre-right bloc with a razor-thin lead.



Preliminary results gave Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's National Party, ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First 67 seats in a 131-seat parliament, one more than the 66 required for a majority.



But almost 400,000, or nearly 15% of votes, have yet to be counted, and official results are not due until November 27.



Both Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins have said they would wait for final results before entering formal coalition negotiations.



The tight result has created a period of uncertainty for incoming legislators, including seven from the centrist Opportunity Party, which crossed the 5% threshold to enter parliament for the first time.



Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong, a political newcomer who could become pivotal if the final vote changes the outcome, said her caucus was meeting in Wellington to begin preparing for parliament.



Wong has received calls from Hipkins and Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick, radio station Newstalk ZB reported, though she said no formal negotiations had begun. Luxon later said he would call Wong "shortly", according to Radio New Zealand.