Voting begins (ends) in New Zealand election

[Doctor Cynic]

Source: http://www.theage.com.au/world/voting-begins-in-new-zealand-election-20081108-5kg4.html

New Zealanders have begun voting in an election that polls are tipping could herald a change of government in the nation.

In bright sunshine Prime Minister Helen Clark, seeking a historic fourth term, voted in her Mt Albert electorate.

Wearing a bright red jacket Clark posed with onlookers who wanted a photo with the woman some call "Aunty Helen''.

"We have countless thousands of people mobilising Labour supporters out to the polling booths today. I am feeling very good about it,'' Clark told reporters.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/world/voting-begins-in-new-zealand-election-20081108-5kg4.html

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Results page:

http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/

[prayin4rain]

1. Thanks for posting

my husband is from NZ :)

[Ken Burch]

3. With 7% of the votes in, the right-wing National party is in the lead.

I don't know enough about NZ elections to be able to tell if that margin will hold up once all the votes are in or not. Can anyone offer any expertise there?

[crim son]

2. As a student I lived in NZ for a year.

I remember it as one of the finest places in the world. Thank you for posting.

[Swagman]

4. I have relatives there..New Zealanders are great people..very

tolerant. It will be a shame if they don't re-elect Helen Clark..she is a real character. But at least NZ doesn't really have a far right wing..both parties are either left or right of centre.

[wysi]

5. National won...

... unfortunately. :(

[Ken Burch]

7. Well, at least thanks to the semi-proportional electoral system, they were short of a majority.

They'll need to form a coalition with somebody, and that could moderate them a bit.

[Wabbajack_]

8. Coalition is with ACT

"libertarians" to National's right.

[wysi]

9. Very bad news.

Act are completely intellectually and morally bankrupt.

[Ken Burch]

6. Anybody know what "The Bill and Ben Party" are about?

They received about 11,000 votes.

[wysi]

10. TV comedians...

... running as a joke. Sort of like the new government...