Who's in and who's out
Auckland Central
The Green Party’s strong showing was no better exemplified than its efforts in Auckland Central. When high-profile National MP Nikki Kaye bowed out of the election, Labour and the Greens seized the opportunity to jump in. Green candidate Chlo¨e Swarbrick was in a back and forth battle with Labour’s Helen White through the night.
The result was tight, as Swarbrick closed on becoming only the party’s second ever electorate MP. At time of publication Swarbrick was ahead by 492 votes with 98.8 per cent of the vote counted.
Whanga¯rei
High-ranking National MP Shane Reti was ahead, but a chance to lose his seat, with a slim lead of 281 votes over Labour candidate Emily Henderson holding with 91.9 per cent of the vote counted.
Whanganui
National’s Harete Hipango was a one-term MP in Whanganui, losing her seat to Labour’s Steph Lewis. With 55.6 per cent of the vote counted in the electorate, Lewis held an insurmountable lead of 6336.
Wairarapa
The triumphant swing enjoyed by Labour’s Kieran McAnulty in the Wairarapa electorate was all about numbers, but it was also about yards. As a former TAB bookmaker, the young Labour campaigner knew going into this election, his third tilt at the seat, that the numbers were likely to be in his favour and was ecstatic with the result.
‘‘ This is quite easily the greatest moment of my life. The privilege of being able to represent my region in Parliament is something I’ve sought for a very very long time.’’ McAnulty was 5067 ahead of National’s Mike Butterick, with 100 per cent of votes counted.
Hutt South
Labour’s Ginny Andersen has won Hutt South. The Wainuiomata clubrooms erupted in shocked cheers at 10.28pm as an unexpected vote dump moved Andersen’s margin from 110 to more than 1000, enough to seal the deal. The atmosphere in the room had a sudden switch from the tense nerves of the night to jubilation, just seconds before Jacinda Ardern took the podium to speak to the party faithful.
With 96.4 per cent of the vote counted, Andersen’s lead stretched out to 2133.
At number seven on the list, Bishop is likely to return to parliament depending on how many electorates National holds.
Banks Peninsula
Labour’s Tracey McLellan comfortably won the Canterbury-based seat, formerly known as Port Hills. Veteran MP Ruth Dyson had a stranglehold on the electorate for several elections, and that transferred across to McLellan who had a massive 11,125 vote lead from her National Party rival Catherine Chu, with 97.5 per cent of the vote counted.
East Coast
Another retirement, this time National’s Anne Tolley, guaranteed a new face representing the coast. Labour’s Kiritapu Allan will be the new MP for the large electorate, after a comprehensive win over nearest rival, National’s Tania Tapsell. With 97.8 per cent of the vote counted, the lead was 4647.
Tukituki
Incumbent MP National’s Lawrence Yule lost out to Labour’s Anna Lorck. The former Hastings mayor was had a single term in the southern Hawke’s Bay electorate and fell victim to the red wave that swept across the country.
Seven years of toil and three campaigns paid off for Lorck who won on the night by 772 votes.
Her success was in part thanks to riding the coat- tails of leader Jacinda Ardern’s popularity, but also largely due to a vast amount of footwork and encouraging people to vote.
Yule, a National MP for one term and former mayor of Hastings, was philosophical but subdued, putting his loss down to a good campaign by Lorck, but primarily Labour’s phenomenal support.
taki
Terisa Ngobi beat National’s Tim Costley in the previously safe National seat north of Wellington. The seat had been held by former National Party MP and minister Nathan Guy for four terms. The predominantly rural seat was considered highly likely to fall to Costley, who National Party HQ considered a strong candidate.
ha¯riu
Labour’s Greg O’Connor has a second term as MP for Wellington’s ha¯riu, the former stronghold of United Future’s Peter Dunne. National’s Brett Hudson was behind by more than 9000 votes. Symptomatic of NZ First’s poor showing MP and minister Tracey Martin finished fifth.
Nelson
It was a grim night for National’s deputy leader and campaign manager Gerry Brownlee.
After eight successful campaigns as the candidate for the Christchurch seat, he was unceremoniously ousted by Labour’s Sarah Pallett. With 96.6 per cent of the vote counted Pallett led by 2120 votes.
Ilam
It was a grim night for National’s deputy leader and campaign manager Gerry Brownlee. After eight successful campaigns as the candidate for the Christchurch seat, he was unceremoniously ousted by Labour’s Sarah Pallett. With 60 per cent of the vote counted Pallett led by 2134 votes.
Taieri
Labour’s Ingrid Leary is a newly minted MP for the seat formerly known as Dunedin South, and previously held by Labour’s Clare Curran. National’s Liam Kernaghan finished a distant second, behind by more than 10,000 votes on the night.