New Zealand Election Ends In Stalemate.
Leader of the minority New Zealand First (NZF) party, Winston Peters, gave no indication which of the two blocs his party would support.
NZF won nine seats from 7.5 percent of the vote.
Negotiations with minor parties mean it could be weeks before a new government emerges.
The Electoral Commission will publish the final result, which would also include ballots cast by New Zealanders overseas, on October 7.
A record 1.2 million votes were cast in advance, but neither major party was expected to win an outright majority.
Campaign'
English, who oversaw a disastrous election loss for the National Party in 2002, became leader last year after his predecessor John Key's shock resignation. His party has held power for almost a decade.
Ardern, who only became Labour Party leader in August, is vying to become New Zealand's third female prime minister and the youngest in modern history.
"This has been an incredibly engaging and colourful campaign for New Zealanders and that isn't going to be over at midnight," said Bryce Edwards, an analyst at Wellington-based Critical Politics.
New Zealand election ends in stalemate
Coalition government to be formed after ruling National Party wins most seats, but falls short of a clear-cut majority.
Jacinda Ardern almost single-handedly dragged Labour back into the race [Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
FAST FACTS
Nation al has near 10 point lead over Labour with all results inResults leave New Zealand First with balance of powerCoalition negotiations to beginFinal tally only due on Oct 7
The general election in New Zealand has ended in a stalemate with the ruling National Party falling short of a clear-cut majority to govern for the fourth time, according to official results.
National and Labour had been almost neck and neck in opinion polls, with charismatic 37-year old Jacinda Ardern almost single-handedly dragging Labour back into the race after taking over the party's leadership in August.
Prime Minister Bill English claimed victory on Saturday after the National Party took 46 percent of the votes and 58 seats - three less than the required 61 needed to govern.
Main opposition rival Labour Party finished second with 35.8 percent of the votes, claiming 45 seats.
"As things stand we do have the balance of political responsibility and we're not going to be hasty with that," Peters told supporters.
"We'll make a decision in the interests of all New Zealand and New Zealand First, that is the whole country, not ourselves in the party but in the national interest and that will take some time," he added.
Leader of the minority New Zealand First (NZF) party, Winston Peters, gave no indication which of the two blocs his party would support.
NZF won nine seats from 7.5 percent of the vote.
Negotiations with minor parties mean it could be weeks before a new government emerges.
The Electoral Commission will publish the final result, which would also include ballots cast by New Zealanders overseas, on October 7.
A record 1.2 million votes were cast in advance, but neither major party was expected to win an outright majority.
Campaign'
English, who oversaw a disastrous election loss for the National Party in 2002, became leader last year after his predecessor John Key's shock resignation. His party has held power for almost a decade.
Ardern, who only became Labour Party leader in August, is vying to become New Zealand's third female prime minister and the youngest in modern history.
"This has been an incredibly engaging and colourful campaign for New Zealanders and that isn't going to be over at midnight," said Bryce Edwards, an analyst at Wellington-based Critical Politics.
New Zealand election ends in stalemate
Coalition government to be formed after ruling National Party wins most seats, but falls short of a clear-cut majority.
Jacinda Ardern almost single-handedly dragged Labour back into the race [Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
FAST FACTS
Nation al has near 10 point lead over Labour with all results inResults leave New Zealand First with balance of powerCoalition negotiations to beginFinal tally only due on Oct 7
The general election in New Zealand has ended in a stalemate with the ruling National Party falling short of a clear-cut majority to govern for the fourth time, according to official results.
National and Labour had been almost neck and neck in opinion polls, with charismatic 37-year old Jacinda Ardern almost single-handedly dragging Labour back into the race after taking over the party's leadership in August.
Prime Minister Bill English claimed victory on Saturday after the National Party took 46 percent of the votes and 58 seats - three less than the required 61 needed to govern.
Main opposition rival Labour Party finished second with 35.8 percent of the votes, claiming 45 seats.
"As things stand we do have the balance of political responsibility and we're not going to be hasty with that," Peters told supporters.
"We'll make a decision in the interests of all New Zealand and New Zealand First, that is the whole country, not ourselves in the party but in the national interest and that will take some time," he added.
The most likely scenario is we are going to have to wait two weeks when the final verdict is in from the Electoral Commission because it is just going to be so close," he said.
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