A GUIDE TO NEW ZEALAND'S ELECTION New Zealanders go to the polls on October 14, when they will give Labour a third term in office, or flip to a National-led government. Polling over the last month has shifted towards National, though it will likely need two coalition partners: ACT and New Zealand First. Inflation and the cost of living is the central issue, with crime, housing and health also registering highly. To enter parliament in New Zealand's mixed member proportionate system, parties must either win an electorate seat or hit five per cent of the nationwide vote. The six parties likely to return MPs fall into two blocs: the left - Labour, the Greens and the Maori Party - and the right - National, ACT, and NZ First. LABOUR Politics: Centre-left, social democratic Leader: Chris Hipkins. The "boy from the Hutt" replaced Jacinda Ardern after her shock resignation in January, stepping up from previous stints as COVID-19 and Education Minister and parliamentary attack dog. Representing downtrodden northern Wellington, Kiwis have warmed to the down-to-earth "Chippy" but he's dealt with little other than disaster and scandal since becoming prime minister. Polling: 27 per cent NATIONAL Politics: Centre-right Leader: Chris Luxon. The other Chris is a former Air New Zealand chief executive who was drafted into parliament at the last election and became leader a year later. A political protege of Sir John Key, the 53-year-old can appear too corporate or wooden, but has brought discipline and focus to the Nats, who promise tax relief and a crime crackdown. Polling: 37 per cent GREENS Politics: Left Co-leaders: James Shaw and Marama Davidson Polling: 13 per cent ACT Politics: Libertarian, right-wing Leader: David Seymour Polling: Nine per cent MAORI PARTY Politics: Indigenous rights, left Co-leaders: Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi Polling: Three per cent NEW ZEALAND FIRST Politics: Populist Leader: Winston Peters Polling: Six per cent Australian Associated Press
