37-year-old Jacinda Ardern to lead New Zealand

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The New Zealand First Party has sided with Labour to form a coalition government with 37-year-old Labour leader Jacinda Ardern leading the country, New Zealand First Party leader Winston Peters announced on Thursday.

The decision will see a shift of government from the New Zealand National Party, which led a minority government for the past nine years.

Ardern will form the country's next government as prime minister after gaining the support of the small nationalist party holding the balance of power following an inconclusive September 23 election.

Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern. /AFP Photo

"This is an exciting day. We aspire to be a government for all New Zealanders and one that will seize the opportunity to build a fairer, better New Zealand," said Ardern.

Ardern took the helm of the Labour Party in August when it was almost at rock bottom in terms of popular support.

The National Party won 56 of the 120-seat parliament while Labour and its ally, the Green Party, secured 54 seats, leaving New Zealand First Party leader Winston Peters with a marginal lead.

Peters, who was reluctant to work with the Green Party, said that he preferred to form a coalition government with one other party only.

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Source(s): Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency