Opposition concedes defeat in NZ election

The opposition National Party conceded defeat today in New Zealand’s general election and its leader said he expected Labour leader Helen Clark to form the next government.

With 82% of the vote counted, Labour was heading for 52 seats in the 120-seat Parliament and was almost certain to lead a centre-left coalition for the next three-year term.

The Nationals were headed for only 27 seats - its worst result ever.

‘‘I have... just a few minutes ago spoken to Helen Clark,’’ Nationals leader Bill English said.

‘‘There is a high likelihood of a centre-left government and as leader of Labour with the largest vote she now goes to try to form that government. I have wished her well.’’

Strong gains by small centre and centre-right parties mean Clark will have to rely on up to three small parties to cobble together a ruling coalition.

Clark looked relaxed and confident as she cast her vote at an Auckland primary school in an election she hoped would deliver her a second term and a place in history as New Zealand’s first woman leader to win back-to-back elections.

But she could need the support of the Progressive Coalition, the Greens and the centre-right United Future party to form a ruling coalition.

‘‘We have repeatedly said that we could talk to either of the two major parties,’’ said United Future president Ian Tulloch.

But Labour president Mike Williams said his party would rather form a coalition with the Progressive Coalition and the Greens. With nearly 90% of the votes counted, that three-party coalition could form a majority government holding 62 of parliament’s 120 seats.

‘‘Our preference would be for a clear centre-left coalition,’’ Williams said.

However, the Greens have said they will withdraw their support from a Labour-led administration next October when a ban on the commercial use of genetically modified plants and livestock expires. The Greens want a permanent ban.

The ban ‘‘is not a difficult thing for Labour to agree to if it wants to remain the government. We will be talking this week, I’m sure,’’ said Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons.

Clark has refused to extend the ban but said she believes she could rule on for a full three-year term even without the Greens.

With nearly 90% of the vote counted, Labour had 41%, or 52 seats; the National Party had 21%, or 27 seats; the right-wing New Zealand First party had 10%, 13 seats; United Future had 7%, nine seats; and the Green Party had 6%, eight seats. The Progressive Coalition was forecast to win two seats.

The rightist ACT party had 7%, or nine seats.

The fragmented vote meant no decision on the make-up of the next government was likely tonight.