No text yet: Opportunity holds balance of power, Wong says Luxon hasn't been in touch

Opportunity and the overhang are shaping up as the deciders in an incredibly tight election race, where both right and left blocs remain virtually deadlocked.

But Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong says she has not received a text from Christopher Luxon yet.

Speaking live to Ryan Bridge on the NZ Herald Live Election Night Special, Wong said she was yet to hear from the National leader, who earlier ruled her party out completely.

She said she last checked her phone half an hour ago.

Speaking on 1 News, Senior MP Mark Mitchell refused to reiterate his leader’s pledge not to pick up the phone and call Wong.

He said “we are operating in an MMP environment”.

With 41.4% of the vote counted, National is on track for 42 seats, Act has 13 and NZ First has 11 - a combined 66 for the Coalition.

On the left, Labour is on 36, the Greens are on 17 and Te Pāti Māori is expected to win 5 Māori electorate seats for a combined 58 seats.

Opportunity would be in parliament with 7 seats and looks likely to hold the balance of power.

The Coalition’s 66 seats would just meet the 66-seat threshold in a hugely expanded 131-seat Parliament, but late votes and special votes are expected to favour the left.

National (with seven extra seats) and Te Pāti Māori (four extra) are expected to win 11 more seats combined than their party vote entitles them to, which would increase the size of Parliament in an “overhang”.

Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong arrived at the party’s election night headquarters to a rockstar welcome and addressed supporters.

Party faithful made a guard of honour for Wong as she entered the Eden Park World Cup Lounge.

She wiped away tears as she was greeted by loud cheering, hugs and celebrations.

“Wooh - shit we did it!” Wong said.

“It’s looking very likely that after a decade, the Opportunity Party is going to make history tonight!”

“I’m just trying really hard not to swear, to be honest.”

Deputy leader Daniel Eb told supporters.: “We’re making political history in New Zealand tonight - can you believe it!”

Pollster David Farrar told the NZ Herald Live Election Night Special that a hung parliament could be the “perfect excuse” for National leader Christopher Luxon to work with the Opportunity Party to form a government.

Luxon has previously ruled out working with Opportunity, but as the results stand, neither the right or left bloc have enough seats to govern.

That would leave Opportunity, sitting on about 5.4%, in the kingmaker position.

“If it’s a hung parliament, that’s the perfect excuse to say, well, of course we have to talk to them, because no one will thank us for forcing [a hung parliament].”

You can follow all the results live as votes are counted, and access exclusive interactive graphics and expert analysis here.

You can also watch the NZ Herald Election Night Special hosted by Ryan Bridge with Katie Bradford at the top of this story and follow our blog below.