NZ Election results: Devastating verdict on Jacinda Ardern years as New Zealand votes out Labour party in 'bloodbath' - as ex-Air New Zealand CEO becomes next PM

Centre-right opposition National is on track to win the New Zealand election, ending six years of Labour government. Early results in the New Zealand suggest National leader Chris Luxon will become the next prime minister Early counting results show National are leading at 41.2 per cent That could leave NZ First leader Winston Peters, the wily 78-year-old populist, out in the cold of opposition despite his party sitting on 6.0 per cent of the vote, and on track to return to parliament. New Zealand First, the party of veteran populist Winston Peters, looks set to return to parliament, with 6.0 per cent of the vote. Deputy National leader Nicola Willis its 'too early' for the party to claim victory Prime Minister Chris Hipkins casts his vote prior to election day The six-week election campaign - dubbed the battle of the Chrises - has been a heavily negative contest, with National attacking Labour's record and Labour attacking National's policy prescriptions. NZ National Party leader Christopher Luxon looks set to become new PM NEW ZEALAND ELECTION - PRELIMINARY RESULTS AFTER 25 PER CENT VOTE COUNTED National - 41.9 per cent - likely 52 MPs Labour - 25.9 per cent - likely 32 MPs Greens - 10.2 per cent - likely 13 MPs ACT - 9.2 per cent - likely 12 MPs NZ First - 6.0 per cent - likely eight MPs Maori Party - 2.5 per cent - likely five MPs