New Zealanders head to polls on final day of voting

New Zealanders are voting on the final day of a closely contested general election, with the cost of living and the wider economy central to the campaign. Opinion polls suggest the governing National Party and opposition Labour Party are neck and neck, and neither appears likely to win enough seats to govern alone.

Voting began on 26 October, and more than 1.6 million of nearly 3.8 million eligible voters had cast ballots by Thursday. Polling stations are open from 9am to 7pm on Saturday; strict election-day rules prohibit political commentary and campaign material, with breaches punishable by fines of up to NZ$20,000. Preliminary results are expected on election night, while the final count, including overseas ballots, is due by 27 November.