Likely Kingmaker in New Zealand Election Won't Rush to Decisions

(Bloomberg) -- Winston Peters, leader of the anti-immigration New Zealand First Party, said he’ll likely hold the balance of power following Saturday’s election, with both the ruling National Party and main opposition Labour unable to reach a majority.

The maverick 72-year-old, who’s played kingmaker in the past and governed with both Labour and National, told a late-night rally he wouldn’t be rushing to any decisions.
“As things stand, I do believe we do have the balance of political responsibility,” Peters said. “We’re not going to be hasty with that.”

With 80 percent of votes counted, National was ahead on 46.4 percent, to Labour’s 35.6 percent. New Zealand First was on 7.4 percent and the Greens, an ally of Labour, had 5.8 percent.

To contact the reporter on this story: Edward Johnson in Sydney at ejohnson28@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Matthew Brockett at mbrockett1@bloomberg.net.