# ACT Party Achieves Record Preliminary Election Result in New Zealand Leader David Seymour secures 10.9 percent of the vote amid coalition uncertainty. - **Source:** [Newstalk ZB](https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/9ef9e1cc-0a19-4668-bc6a-cadb1acc07b2 ## Record Electoral Performance ACT Party leader David Seymour celebrated a historic milestone on November 7, 2026, as his party achieved a record-high preliminary vote share. This marks the third consecutive election where the party has improved its standing. The provisional results currently place the party at 10.9 percent, securing 13 seats in the parliament. ## Provisional Seat Allocation The current count of 13 seats represents a significant legislative footprint for the ACT Party. These preliminary figures are subject to change as the final tally progresses over the coming weeks. Seymour acknowledged the success while emphasizing that the final parliamentary composition remains fluid until the official count is fully completed. ## Three-Week Waiting Period Despite the positive preliminary outcome, David Seymour noted that absolute clarity regarding the government's formation will not arrive for another three weeks. This waiting period is standard for New Zealand elections as special votes are processed. The party must wait for these final tallies before confirming their exact legislative influence and power. ## Coalition Formation Uncertainty Seymour highlighted potential complexities regarding the formation of a new government. He specifically pointed to internal constitutional questions within other political entities, such as the Opportunity party. The uncertainty revolves around whether these groups possess the internal mandate to align with ACT, potentially complicating the path toward a stable governing coalition. ## Strategic Political Positioning The ACT Party has successfully positioned itself as a recurring force in New Zealand politics by consistently growing its voter base. By securing a record-high result for the third time, the party demonstrates sustained electoral momentum. This growth provides Seymour with increased leverage during the upcoming negotiations for a potential governing arrangement. ## Constitutional and Internal Hurdles The leader expressed caution regarding the internal governance structures of potential partners. He questioned whether specific parties are constitutionally permitted to join a coalition with ACT. These procedural hurdles represent a significant barrier to forming a majority government, as the party navigates the intricacies of multi-party negotiations and internal party rules. ## Election Night Atmosphere The results were announced at the ACT Party headquarters in Auckland, where supporters gathered to witness the historic performance. David Seymour appeared at the event to address the provisional data and thank his base. The atmosphere reflected the party's satisfaction with their upward trajectory despite the looming challenges of coalition building. ## Future Legislative Outlook As the nation awaits the final count, the focus shifts to the next twenty-one days of political maneuvering. The ACT Party's ability to translate its 10.9 percent vote share into actual governance will depend on these upcoming discussions. Observers are watching closely to see how these constitutional questions impact the final outcome. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/the-debrief-act-party-leader-on-the-party-scoring-a-record-high-preliminary-election-result/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._