Taking enough seats to form a coalition with its allies on the right wing of politics, the opposition National Party has won the New Zealand election.
The New Zealand Herald reported that National was projected to win 51 seats, Labour 33, the Greens 13, Act 12, NZ First 8 and Te Pāti Māori four seats.
Mr Luxon thanked National voters and said they had “reached for hope and you have voted for change”.
Incumbent prime minister Chris Hipkins, of Labour, phoned National’s leader Chris Luxon to concede defeat.
It marks a rapid elevation for Mr Luxon, who became an MP in 2020 and then National leader a year later.
As reported by BBC National’s tally combined with those of Act, a natural ally on the right, would produce a coalition with a majority in the 121-seat parliament.
“I am immensely proud to say that on the numbers tonight, National will be able to lead the next government,” said Mr Luxon after National’s projected victory was announced.
“My pledge to you is that our government will deliver for every New Zealander.”
Mr Hipkins, according to report, who took over as prime minister after the resignation of Jacinda Ardern, thanked supporters for their campaign work, and said the result was “not one that any of us wanted”.
Some of Mr Luxon’s key election campaign promises included tax cuts for middle-income earners, and a crackdown on crime.
He said one of the key issues ahead of the election was the cost of living in a country that has been particularly affected by the slowing economy in China, its largest trade partner, and the war in Ukraine.
Local economist Brad Olsen said. “People don’t really think that it’s doing better than the rest of the world because they are hurting.”
Truth Live News learned that the result is a shock for Labour, who under Ms Ardern secured an outright majority in government in 2020 – unheard of under New Zealand’s hybrid form of proportional representation.
But Labour has since lost support, with many New Zealanders dissatisfied over surging prices and the country’s long Covid lockdown.
Nanaia Mahuta, the foreign minister, was losing in her constituency with 51% of the vote counted. The party’s losses were significant, with some high-profile members likely to lose their seats.
