Labour leads National in final pre-election poll

The latest The Post/Freshwater Strategy poll places Labour slightly ahead of National with 30.7 per cent of the vote, compared to National's 26.4 per cent. This poll shows Labour rising by two points, while National has dropped 1.2 points.

The election is described as one of the closest in a generation, with minor parties expected to play a dominant role in forming the next government. The Opportunity Party is polling at 5.1 per cent, which would place it above the 5 per cent threshold required to enter Parliament.

If the current polling holds, a centre-right coalition of National, ACT, and NZ First would hold 59 seats in a 120-seat parliament, two short of the 61 needed to govern. Meanwhile, a centre-left bloc of Labour, the Greens, and Te Pāti Māori would hold 55 seats.

On the final day of campaigning, National leader Christopher Luxon is travelling from Rotorua to Botany, while Labour leader Chris Hipkins is visiting various community sites. NZ First leader Winston Peters is scheduled to cast his vote in the Auckland Central electorate.

How it developed

• Fri 6 Nov, 7:27amThe final poll shows Labour leading National and places the Opportunity Party at 5.1%.

Where reports differ

• One report suggests Opportunity could be the 'Kingmaker', while another notes the election might be decided by an overhang for the right bloc

Compiled from reports by The Post, RNZ, Stuff, NZ Herald, Newsroom, 1News and Otago Daily Times.