All New Zealand elections

2008 New Zealand General Election

Key's first win

8 November 2008 · The MMP era · 122 seats, 62 for a majority

A general election was held in New Zealand on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand Parliament. The liberal-conservative National Party, headed by its parliamentary leader John Key, won the largest share of votes and seats, ending nine years of government by the social-democratic Labour Party, led by Helen Clark.

Prime Minister before

Prime Minister (continued)

John Key

National (C&S: ACT, Māori, United Future)

Largest force

National

58 of 122 seats

Turnout

79.5%

The result

Share of the House of Representatives
NationalJohn Key58+10
LabourHelen Clark43-7
GreenRussel Norman9+3
ACTRodney Hide5+3
Māori PartyTariana Turia5+1
Progressive10
United Future New ZealandPeter Dunne1-2
NZ FirstWinston Peters0-7