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Date:
18 November 2008
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  • This paper provides a summary of the New Zealand General Election of 8th November, based on provisional (unofficial) results released by the Chief Electoral Office. Final (official) results are due by 22nd November and will be summarised in a subsequent paper to be published by the Parliamentary Library.

  • The election night results produced an overhang of 2 seats making a total of 122 seats in the House. This was due to the Maori Party obtaining 2.2% of the party vote, but winning 5 electorate seats.

  • The National Party won 45.5% of the party vote (39.1% in 2005) and 59 seats – a plurality of the party vote, but not an outright majority of the seats necessary to secure the confidence and supply of the House of Representatives (62 seats).

  • The Labour Party won 33.8% of the party vote (41.1% in 2005) entitling it to 43 seats in the House – a decrease of 7 seats on its 2005 final election total of 50.

  • The Green Party won 6.4% of the party vote (5.3% in 2005) and 8 seats in the House – an increase of 2 seats on its 2005 total of 6.

  • ACT New Zealand won 3.7% of the party vote (1.5% in 2005) and 5 seats in the House – an increase of 3 seats on its 2005 total of 2.

  • The Maori Party won 2.2% of the party vote (2.1% in 2005) and 5 seats in the House – an increase of 1 seat on its 2005 total of 4.

  • Jim Anderton's Progressive won 0.9% of the party vote (1.2% in 2005) and retained the electorate seat of Wigram – similar to its results in 2005.

  • The United Future Party won 0.9% of the party vote (2.7% in 2005) and retained the electorate seat of Öhariu – a decrease of 2 seats on its 2005 total of 3.

  • The New Zealand First Party won 4.2% of the party vote (5.7% in 2005) and 0 seats in the House, compared to its 2005 total of 7 seats.

  • The provisional turnout rate for the 2008 election was 78%, somewhat below the 81% turnout for the 2005 election.