NZ PM Luxon meets Opportunity's Wong ahead of possible pact

New Zealand ​Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said ​on Tuesday he had ‌met ​with the leader of the Opportunity Party, after initial results in a general election showed ‌he may be reliant on the centrist party to govern.

Preliminary data from the New Zealand Electoral Commission showed Luxon’s incumbent three-party coalition could govern with ‌a majority of just two seats. But that margin may disappear ‌once overseas and other special votes — which make up a seventh of the total and typically skew left — are included during the final count on November 27.

That ⁠would ​mean Luxon ⁠would need the support of Opportunity, which looks set to enter parliament for the ⁠first time, to pass legislation. Luxon and Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong met on ​Monday evening, the prime minister said.

"(It was) a great opportunity to ⁠get to know her and start to build a relationship together," Luxon told ⁠reporters ​on Tuesday. Luxon previously ruled out entering a coalition with Opportunity but has softened his stance after the initial election count.

Wong has ⁠previously said she would look to negotiate with whichever party secures the largest ⁠number of ⁠seats in parliament, and that a number of arrangements, including a formal coalition or more informal support, ‌were options.