New Zealand Prime Minister John Key will retain his position as the national leader for three more years after garnering 48 percent more votes.
According to Stuff.co.nz, Labour polled a lowly 24.7 per cent and the Greens also came up short of their expectations, securing 10 per cent.With some special votes yet to be counted, National, with majority of the votes, is capable of governing alone.
Key is now looking forward to close a deal with his traditional allies - the Maori Party, United Future and Act.
National's campaign chair Steven Joyce this morning said it was "highly unlikely" the party would seek the extra cushion of a deal with NZ First, the report said.
But he added that in view of the 2017 elections, National would try to "build a relationship" with NZ First.