This article is within the scope of WikiProject Elections and Referendums, an ongoing effort to improve the quality of, expand upon and create new articles relating to elections, electoral reform and other aspects of democratic decision-making. For more information, visit our project page.Elections and ReferendumsWikipedia:WikiProject Elections and ReferendumsTemplate:WikiProject Elections and ReferendumsElections and Referendums articles
This article is within the scope of WikiProject New Zealand, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of New Zealand and New Zealand-related topics on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks.New ZealandWikipedia:WikiProject New ZealandTemplate:WikiProject New ZealandNew Zealand articles
Is there a reason that United is shown as first place in the infobox despite winning fewer votes and seats than Reform? And for that matter, why is Reform listed as winning 27 seats when they appear to have won 28? I'd imagine the answer to the first question is because United formed government after the election, but (apart from my personal dislike of this approach) this is applied inconsistently - the same arrangement isn't followed in 2017, for instance. Erinthecute (talk) 23:14, 9 December 2020 (UTC)[reply]
To answer the latter point, both won 27 seats but the page (for some unknown reason) counts a former Reform MP Douglas Lysnar alongside the Reform Party total despite the fact he had run for re-election as an independent candidate. Party affiliations were not as concrete as they are today and it was not uncommon for independents to take the side of a particular party. If independent supporters of the respective parties are included then the totals would be 31 for United and 28 for Reform (instead of 27 each). Michael Bassett confirms the 31 seat total here if you're interested. Kiwichris (talk) 07:32, 10 December 2020 (UTC)[reply]