TAUPO, New Zealand (AP) – The Latest on New Zealand’s national election (all times local):
2:55 p.m.
New Zealanders were voting Saturday in a national election that appears to be a close race between conservative Prime Minister Bill English and liberal challenger Jacinda Ardern.
New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English embraces a National Party mascot while on the campaign trail in Cambridge, New Zealand, Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. English is fighting to keep his job when the nation votes in the general election on Saturday, Sept. 23. (Mark Mitchell/New Zealand Herald via AP)
Ardern has enjoyed a remarkable surge in popularity since taking over as opposition leader last month. The 37-year-old has been greeted like a rock star at large rallies and has generated plenty of excitement among her fans.
The 55-year-old English has run a more low-key campaign, highlighting his experience and the economic growth the country has enjoyed. He’s promising tax cuts for most workers.
Opinion polls indicate there has been a swing back to English in the waning days of the campaign after Ardern had all the early momentum.
Voting continues until 7 p.m. local time with first results expected about 90 minutes later.
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