New Zealand government eyes landslide as polls close

New Zealand’s prime minister looks to be heading back into government with a landslide win after voting closed in the country’s general election.

Exit polls are not allowed but John Key’s centre-right National Party could get an historic outright majority if surveys before the ballot are mirrored in the vote.

All of which bodes badly for Labour leader Phil Goff, hopeful to the last that his party would stage a late recovery.

As well as the global economic downturn, Key’s coalition has had to deal with crises from major earthquakes to a coal mine disaster in which 29 people died. None of it has shaken his popularity, which may also have been boosted by New Zealand hosting and winning this year’s Rugby World Cup.

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