Candidates for the Port Waikato by-election have closed, but Labour has chosen to sit this one out.

Labour Party President Jill Day says it's an "unwinnable" contest for them, and the party is focusing on its transition to opposition.

The by-election was triggered by the death of ACT candidate Neil Christensen just before the election.

Meanwhile, negotiations continue between Prime Minister-elect Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters.

It's expected that any policy announcements between the two parties won't be announced until after the special votes.

NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan joined Jason Pine.

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