Phone calls and negotiations behind the scenes, as National and ACT look set to form the next Government.

With the special votes yet to confirm the make-up of the Beehive, both parties are likely to need New Zealand First in a three-way majority arrangement.

Former National MP Steven Joyce, was part of talks in 2017, when Winston Peters eventually sided with Labour and Jacinda Ardern.

He says it's a different situation now, as Peters had to choose between two parties, while this time Labour's already conceded.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.