Kiwis at a political crossroads

New Zealand’s political kingmaker, Winston Peters, has a big responsibility following the release of final election results. These give Labour and the Greens an extra seat each and tighten the race to win the support of Mr Peters’s New Zealand First party. But they do not alter the fact Bill English’s National Party won by far the biggest share of the vote, 44.4 per cent, and the largest number of seats, 56. Labour trails with 36.9 per cent and 46 seats.

Party leader Jacinda Ardern wants to draw Mr Peters and his nine MPs into coalition with Labour and the Greens, with eight MPs. Such a coalition would have 63 seats, two more than the 61 needed. A National-New Zealand First alliance would have 65.

Contrary to Ms Ardern’s claims about a mood for change, Kiwis mostly voted to return the successful government of the past nine years. Mr Peters will drive a hard bargain. But he would be wise to back Mr English and avoid handing the reins of power to a neophyte Labour-Greens team likely to create instability and economic chaos.