Both Christopher Luxon of the National Party and Chris Hipkins of the opposition Labour Party admitted it was not yet clear who New Zealand's next leader would be.
November 7, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. ESTToday at 9:30 a.m. EST
Christopher Luxon, leader of the National Party, arrives at an election party with his family in Auckland, New Zealand, November 7, 2026. (David Rowland/Reuters)
The vote had been dubbed the “battle of the Chrises,” with incumbent Christopher Luxon of the center-right National Party, and leader of the opposition center-left Labour Party Chris Hipkins, competing to become prime minister.
