New Zealand opposition aims to mount joint challenge in 2017 poll

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key attends a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron at the British Embassy in Washington, March 31, 2016. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand's opposition Green Party and the Labour Party announced a pact on Tuesday to find ways to mount a joint challenge to the government of Prime Minister John Key at a general election expected next year.

The parties will cooperate in offering New Zealanders an alternative, they said in a joint release. Key's National Party has been in government since 2008.