How each party got here

Founded in Wellington by unions and socialist groups as the New Zealand Labour Party.

Michael Joseph Savage leads Labour to its first election win in the depths of the Depression.

Social Security Act creates the modern welfare state and free public health care.

Fourth Labour government deregulates the economy and declares New Zealand nuclear-free.

Helen Clark becomes Prime Minister, serving three terms to 2008.

Working for Families introduced, alongside interest-free student loans in 2006.

Jacinda Ardern becomes leader weeks before the election and forms a government with NZ First and the Greens.

Wins 50.01% of the party vote — the first single-party majority under MMP.

Chris Hipkins takes over as leader; Labour falls to 26.91% and returns to opposition.

Campaigning in opposition on cost of living, health staffing and housing.

Formed from the merger of the Reform and United parties as the main centre-right force.

Sidney Holland wins office, beginning long stretches of National government.

Robert Muldoon becomes Prime Minister and launches the Think Big projects.

Employment Contracts Act and benefit cuts reshape the labour market.

John Key wins office and governs for three terms.

GST raised to 15% alongside income tax cuts.

Christopher Luxon elected leader after a period of instability.

Wins 38.08% and 48 seats, forming a coalition with ACT and NZ First.

Delivers tax threshold changes and public sector savings targets in government.

Seeking a second term on tax, infrastructure and law and order.

The Values Party, the world's first national green party, is founded — the Greens' forerunner.

The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is founded in its present form.

Enters Parliament in its own right under MMP with seven MPs.

Death of co-leader Rod Donald in 2005 and Jeanette Fitzsimons' later retirement bring a new generation of leaders.

Supports the Labour-NZ First government under a confidence and supply deal.

Zero Carbon Act passes with Green minister James Shaw as its architect.

Returns with 10 MPs and two ministers outside Cabinet.

Records its best result — 11.60% and 15 seats — and wins Auckland Central, Wellington Central and Rongotai.

Chlöe Swarbrick becomes co-leader alongside Marama Davidson.

Campaigning on a wealth tax, climate action, public transport and housing.

Founded by Roger Douglas and Derek Quigley to continue free-market reform.

Enters Parliament at the first MMP election with eight MPs.

Reduced to two MPs, surviving on the Epsom electorate seat.

Confidence and supply with National delivers charter schools and the three-strikes law.

David Seymour wins Epsom and becomes ACT's sole MP.

Jumps to 7.6% and 10 MPs after campaigning on Covid spending and firearms law.

Wins 8.64% and 11 seats and enters coalition government.

Pushes the Treaty Principles Bill and regulatory standards reform in government.

Campaigning on spending restraint, tax reduction and regulation.

Founded by Winston Peters after he leaves National; wins Tauranga.

Holds the balance of power at the first MMP election and goes with National; Peters becomes Treasurer.

Supports a Labour-led government, with Peters as Foreign Minister outside Cabinet.

Falls below the threshold and leaves Parliament for one term.

Returns with eight MPs on 6.6% of the party vote.

Chooses Labour, making Jacinda Ardern Prime Minister; Peters serves as Deputy PM.

Provincial Growth Fund launched under minister Shane Jones.

Drops out of Parliament again after falling below 5%.

Returns on 6.08% and joins the National-led coalition; Peters again Deputy PM and Foreign Minister.

Campaigning on immigration, regional investment and banking inquiry follow-up.

Founded by Tariana Turia after the foreshore and seabed legislation split her from Labour.

Wins four Māori electorates at its first election.

Enters a support arrangement with the National-led government.

Whānau Ora launched as a Māori-led social services model.

Loses all seats and leaves Parliament.

Rawiri Waititi wins Waiariki; he and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer become co-leaders.

Wins six of the seven Māori electorates on 3.08% of the party vote, creating an overhang.

Leads opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill, including a national hīkoi.

Campaigning on constitutional transformation, Māori wards and te reo in education.

Founded by economist Gareth Morgan around evidence-based tax and housing policy.

Wins 2.4% of the party vote at its first election but no seats.

Gareth Morgan steps back; the party is briefly deregistered before relaunching.

Returns 1.5% of the party vote campaigning on a land value tax and unconditional basic income.

Raf Manji becomes leader and targets the Ilam electorate.

Wins 2.2% nationally and places second in Ilam, still short of Parliament.

Raf Manji resigns as leader after the election.

Qiulae Wong becomes the party's fifth leader, with Daniel Eb as deputy, and the party rebrands as the Opportunity Party.

Campaigning on tax switch, housing and climate policy, with leader Qiulae Wong contesting Mt Albert as a possible electorate route into Parliament.