New Zealand's uneven recovery tests ruling National Party ahead of Nov. 7 election

Tourism and higher agricultural exports have helped rural areas, while urban spending lags and unemployment has risen on the North Island. House prices have fallen almost 30% from their peak in Wellington and 24.7% in Auckland, eroding middle-class wealth. Tens of thousands of New Zealanders leave each year, many for Australia. Polls show no clear path to government for any potential coalition after the Nov. 7 election.