QIULAE Wong has been a politician for less than a year, but the 38-year-old could hold the balance of power in New Zealand's parliament after initial counting in Saturday's general election ended without a clear victor.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's centre-right coalition could govern with a majority of just two seats, Electoral Commission preliminary results showed, but that slim margin could disappear once special votes, which typically favour the left, are released at the official count on Nov 27.
That would mean either a centre-right or centre-left bloc would require the support of Wong's centrist Opportunity Party, which looks likely to enter parliament for the first time.
Either Luxon's National party or Labour, led by Chris Hipkins, are expected to try to form a coalition government in the coming days or weeks.
