Shane Jones says it’s still "too early to tell" if National and Christopher Luxon will need New Zealand First to help form the new government.
On last night’s results National and ACT can form a coalition government with 61 seats.
However, with around 500,000 special votes still to count, the Port Waikato by-election, and Te Pāti Māori’s strong performance in the Maori seats creating a likely overhang, it’s not guaranteed they will be able to rule as a pair when the dust settles.
Speaking to Jack Tame on Q+A, Jones said “there’s a wee bit of uncertainty to go yet” to see if NZ First’s eight seats would be needed to the get the centre right bloc over the line.
“It’s rather ironic that the strength of the Māori seats actually increases the value of the joker in the pack for New Zealand First,” he said.
Asked on whether he thought NZ First would be needed, Jones kept his cards close to his chest.
“I exchanged last night a gallon of plonk for a victory cigar, so let’s just taiho there mate, and wait until all the votes are counted. But Winston has said both last night and earlier in the campaign, we’re here to put the interests of garden variety Kiwis to the fore.”
Earlier on Q+A, National Party campaign manager Chris Bishop said the party expected to lose "at least one" seat once special votes were counted.
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