Election 2008

    Elated Key turns jeers to cheers

    Prime Minister-elect John Key, son Max, wife Bronagh and daughter Stephie celebrate the National...

    Elated Key turns jeers to cheers

    National Party leader John Key showed he was ready to assume the mantle of New Zealand's top job within minutes of being declared the next prime minister when he changed the mood of his party's celebrations from one of boorish behaviour to a time for celebration.

    Curran excited and proud

    Dunedin South MP Clare Curran celebrates her win at Robbies Bar and Bistro, South Dunedin, on...

    Curran excited and proud

    The Labour stranglehold on the Dunedin South electorate was dented although not overcome on election night, with National's Conway Powell lessening the gap between him and Labour candidate Clare Curran to about 6000 votes.

    Record turnout expected at polls

    Record turnout expected at polls

    A record turnout is expected as New Zealanders go the polls today to elect a new government. Just under three million people are enrolled to vote and, with 210,000 advance votes cast by yesterday afternoon -- a third more than in 2005 -- a new record turnout could be on the cards. Polling at the 2700 booths around the country is from 9am-7pm.

    National leads with half the votes counted

    National leads with half the votes counted

    With half the votes counted in the general election National continued to hold a strong lead over Labour but the gap between the main parties was narrowing. National held 46 percent of the party vote and Labour 32 percent. The ACT Party, National's partner, had won 3.6 percent of the votes counted and Labour's ally the Greens 6.4 percent.

    Maori Party hopes for Cabinet posts

    Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples

    Maori Party hopes for Cabinet posts

    Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples The Maori Party remains hopeful of gaining some budgetary responsibility even though National does not need its support to govern. The Maori Party looked as if it had added one seat to the four it held in the last Parliament, with Rahui Katene narrowly leading Labour's Mahara Okeroa with more than 90 percent of the vote counted.

    It's hard to believe, but Winston's gone

    New Zealand First leader Winston Peters

    It's hard to believe, but Winston's gone

    New Zealand First leader Winston Peters Twenty nine years after fighting his way into Parliament on a court-ordered recount, Winston Peters was yesterday voted back into the wilderness. One of the great survivors of New Zealand politics, Mr Peters lost the last of his nine lives yesterday, at the end of a campaign that was fraught with difficulty.

    Voters say 'no' to Winston and NZ First

    New Zealand First party leader Winston Peters

    Voters say 'no' to Winston and NZ First

    New Zealand First party leader Winston Peters New Zealand First is not finished, insists Winston Peters, founder of the 15-year-old political party. "This is not the end", a remarkably upbeat Mr Peters told supporters last night, to loud applause, after his party was wiped out of Parliament. "For a while we will be free now to lead our own lives."