New Zealand election campaign enters final day with result too close to call

New Zealand's political parties wrapped up their election campaigns on Friday, with polling still showing a tight race as voters mull a faltering economy and a loss of faith in the main parties.



Left-leaning parties including Labour want to make the incumbent coalition led by the centre-right National Party the first one-term government in nearly 50 years. Voting closes on Saturday following a campaign dominated by the economy and the cost of living.



A poll by Infrastructure New Zealand, an industry association, released on Friday put Labour at 30.7% and National at 26.4%.



"It is going to be close. It will be tight, and that's why you've got to get out and make sure you do vote," Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told supporters and media on Friday.



"The only poll that matters is tomorrow night."



Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who briefly served as prime minister before losing to Luxon in 2023, said he was confident of emerging as the most popular party, but that it was too early to discuss possible coalitions.