New Zealand’s Opportunity party takes aim at populist politics as it prepares to enter parliament

Minor party leader Qiulae Wong says ‘populism doesn’t deliver results’ and that her vision for a low emissions future will drive its talks with major parties

A history-making centrist party that could influence New Zealand’s political direction has taken aim at populism as lawmakers arrived at parliament on Monday.

A nail-biting election failed to hand either the incumbent rightwing coalition or opposition left bloc a strong winning hand on Saturday. New Zealanders will now need to wait until 27 November for the final result, which includes the addition of about 400,000 “special votes” – those cast overseas or outside the voter’s electorate.

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