New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said her Labour Party was in a position to begin talks to form a new coalition government after winning a slender majority over the National opposition in today's election.
"This election has been very finely balanced and the result has been a close one, and I'm humbled that we have the opportunity to begin negotiations to form a new government," Ms Clark told jubilant party supporters after vote counting closed.
"So I look forward in the next few days to talking with leaders of other political parties to take the result forward."