Election limbo as New Zealand hangs on maverick Winston Peters' whim

Wellington

POPULIST lawmaker Winston Peters is set to pick a winner in New Zealand's deadlocked general election later this week after again finding himself cast as kingmaker, thanks to the country's quirky electoral system.

It is the third time since New Zealand adopted the mixed member proportional (MMP) voting system in 1996 that an election has hinged upon the whim of the 72-year-old maverick.

At the most recent poll on Sept 23, neither of the major parties - National and Labour - won the 61 seats needed for victory, even with the help of political allies. It means they both require a coalition with Mr Peters to gain the outright majority needed to form a government under the MMP system.

True to form, Mr Peters has given no indication of whether he prefers conservative Prime Minister Bill English's National Party or opposition leader Jacinda Ardern's centre-left Labour. He has a self-imposed deadline of Thursday (Oct 12) to decide, although there is no guarantee he will stick to …