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 Michael Peschardt reports for BBC News"Voters had decided it was time for a change"  real 28k The BBC's Giles Beckford"Payback for nine years in opposition"  real 28k |
New Zealand shifts left
 Helen Clark: "We can have a fresh start" |
New Zealand has voted in a new centre-left coalition, ending nine years of conservative rule under the National Party.
The country's first elected female prime minister will be the Labour Party leader, Helen Clark.
 "It appears that New Zealand has decided it is time for a change"  |
| Jenny Shipley |
She has pledged to move the party away from hard-line free market policies towards social democratic values.
Outgoing Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, who seized the leadership of her party in a backroom coup two years ago, conceded defeat before all the votes had been counted.
 Jenny Shipley: conceded defeat with grace |
"It appears that New Zealand has decided it is time for a change," she told supporters in an emotional speech.
"I have spoken to the Right Honourable Helen Clark, and I have warmly congratulated her on her success."
For the first time in an industrialised country, the choice was between two women as the main candidates for the premiership.
How ballots were cast
Almost 90% of the electorate voted, despite appalling weather on the South Island in particular, where flooding caused chaos.
With all but a handful of votes counted, Labour had 52 seats - up from 37 in the 1996 election.
"We are on the cusp of a new century, and we can have a fresh start. |
| Helen Clark |
"It is clear to me that the centre-left has won a great victory in New Zealand tonight," Alliance leader Jim Anderton said. "I want to warmly and very sincerely congratulate Helen Clark."
National Party representation was down from 44 to 41 seats in the 120-seat parliament.
Of the remaining seats, six went to the centrist New Zealand First Party, one went to the centre-right United party and nine to the right-wing ACT party.
The Greens, fighting their first election, fell just 0.1% short of the 5% support needed for a presence in parliament.
'Change of direction'
Miss Clark has said she will begin negotiations on the make-up of her cabinet with Mr Anderton on Sunday. She said she hoped to have a coalition programme in place before Christmas.
In the meantime, Mrs Shipley's government will continue in a caretaker role.
"The result tonight clearly indicates that New Zealanders want a change of direction," Miss Clark told supporters. "We are on the cusp of a new century, and we can have a fresh start."
A total of 29 political parties were registered to run in the general election, and the new parliament will have not only more women, but also what is believed to be the world's first openly transsexual MP - Georgina Beyer of the Labour Party.
Two non-binding, citizen-initiated referenda, also on the ballot, passed overwhelmingly. One advocated tougher sentences for criminals, and the other recommended a reduction in the number of members of parliament from 120 to 99.
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See also: | |
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 | 27 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
| Profile of Helen Clark |
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| 25 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
| New Zealand's poll: Change at the top? |
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| 25 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
| Shipley's late NZ election appeal |
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| 24 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
| NZ minister fired in Maori row |
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| 02 Sep 99 | Asia-Pacific |
| Maori battle for equal rights |
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| 26 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
| Politicians woo the Maori |
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| New Zealand Elections 99 |
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