ACT leader David Seymour says he and Christopher Luxon have had "chats about the chats" as they begin discussing what a potential coalition government could look like.
Since the election night deadlock on November 7 - and with special votes still to be counted - parties were preparing negotiation teams and priorities, while experts warned government formation could take weeks.
The Electoral Commission was due to release the final results on November 27, and the election results could shift after this.
The centre right holds a narrow advantage on current results.
Speaking to Breakfast, ACT leader David Seymour confirmed he had spoken only to National leader Luxon at this stage, and not New Zealand First leader Winston Peters.
"I gather Winston's been bothering some flounder in the Far North, and sure there'll be more to talk through over time.
He confirmed the pair had met in person, and was asked whether they had any tentative talks about what the potential government formed could look like.
"It was more chats about the chats, and how the next three weeks will go. It's a little bit like having sat your exam, a big anti-climax, and then you've got to wait three weeks for the result," he laughed.
Seymour said the pair had "started talking about what a what a deal might look like, and I think that's prudent".
"Because if you look at it from the point of view of many people, they'll be saying, 'okay, first of all... you have an election in November, then it takes three weeks to count the vote, and then you're going to start negotiating'. That means that, from a point of view of business, or people investing, or people making plans, selling or buying their house, the year is kind of over.
"So I think it's important that we do it right. But the earlier we start, the sooner we can finish and do it right." he said.
Asked about the absence of Peters in these talks, Seymour said "sooner is better that we all start talking", and said Peters should come to discussions when he was ready.
"I mean, obviously we've got to get a quality outcome, and I know that towards the end of the year there's going to be pressure of people saying, 'come on, come on! You've got to get this done'.
"You've got to remember, you're making a deal for three years, and people want it to be stable, they want it to work, and they want the policy to be high quality. Those are the really important things.
"But the earlier you start, then the sooner you can finish and get the quality," he said.
Staff from ACT and Opportunity had also met. Opportunity will be entering parliament for the first time, but depending on the special votes, could be in a kingmaker position.
Staff from ACT and NZ First had also spoken.
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