WELLINGTON, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand First party has decided to side with the Labor party to form the coalition government, New Zealand First party leader Winston Peters announced here on Thursday.
The decision is about to see the shift of government from the New Zealand National party, which led a minority government for the past nine years.
Peters told a media conference that he made the decision only 15 minutes before the briefing and Labor leader Jacinda Ardern learned the news through media live broadcast.
Ardern took the helm of the party in August, which it almost hit the bottom of support and amid a charm campaign and honeymoon period, the 37 female politician brought the party back to a high bench close to National party.
The National has won 56 seats of the 120-seat parliament while the Labor and its ally, the Green party, have secured 54 seats, leaving New Zealand First and its leader the king maker.
Peters, who was reluctant to work with Green party in the cabinet, expressed clearly that he preferred to form a coalition government with one party only.
