The electoral commission was not due to announced the official result until 27 November.

Luxon congratulated Hipkins on a “very hard-fought race” before addressing party colleagues, saying “whatever the final count, we are incredibly proud of each and everyone for you”.

He said he would run a caretaker government until the final results were confirmed later in the month, adding: “With those final results there can then be meaningful negotiations.”

Elsewhere, Labour leader Kipkins said “the people have spoken”, adding: “It may take a bit longer to work out what they’ve said.”

Hipkins said the results made clear the “next parliament is going to require all of us to compromise, to work together and to find a common ground”.

More than 99% of votes have been counted in New Zealand, with National and Labour neck-and-neck in terms of vote share.

But the preliminary results pointed to historically low support for the two major parties, with a combined vote share of around 60%.

They were followed by the Greens, ACT, New Zealand First, centrist party Opportunity and Te Pāti Māori, which represents Māori interests.