Centre-right opposition leader Christopher Luxon has won the 2023 New Zealand election.
Labour prime minister Chris Hipkins phoned the National party leader to concede defeat on Saturday night.
He thanked supporters for their campaign work, and said the result was "not one that any of us wanted", Radio New Zealand reported.
Chris Luxon first joined parliament in 2020 and rose to be leader of the opposition in November 2021.
Some of Mr Luxon's key election campaign promises included tax cuts for middle-income earners, and a crackdown on crime.
The New Zealand Herald reports that National is projected to win 51 seats, Labour 33, the Greens 13, Act 12, NZ First 8 and Te Pāti Māori four seats.
One of the key issues ahead of the election was the economy - in particular the cost of living. The country has been particularly affected by the slowing economy in China, its largest trade partner, and the war in Ukraine.
"People don't really think that it's doing better than the rest of the world because they are hurting," said local economist Brad Olsen.
