"Voters in New Zealand punish ruling party, prompting a shift in rights"

New Zealand's conservative opposition party, the National Party, has taken the lead in the country's election, as voters punish the ruling Labour Party for its handling of the rising cost of living and economic challenges caused by the pandemic. Incumbent Prime Minister Chris Hipkins conceded defeat, acknowledging that Labour did not have enough votes to form a government. The election outcome remains uncertain as coalitions are the norm under New Zealand's mixed-member proportional system. Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's resignation earlier this year and the subsequent leadership change within the Labour Party have contributed to the party's decline in popularity.