New Zealand opposition leader Phil Goff conceded defeat in national elections Saturday to Prime Minister John Key's center-right National Party.

With all polling places counted, preliminary results show the Nationals won 48 percent of the votes, falling short of an absolute majority. That means Mr. Key will form a coalition government with the support of minority parties.

The Labor Party came in second with 27 percent of the votes. Official results are due to be announced December 10.

Mr. Key's National Party has held power for the past three years with the support of three minor parties after ousting a center-left Labor Party-led coalition government in 2008.