New Zealand's ruling National Party stormed to a third term in government in the election yesterday as the centre-right party secured an outright majority on a platform to continue strong economic growth.

Prime Minister John Key's party received 48.1% of the vote - 62 of 121 parliamentary seats. The party was set to make electoral history under the proportional voting system by being able to govern on its own, but it intends to strengthen its majority by renewing support deals with minor parties that formed the previous coalition government.