Christopher Luxon speaks after election delivers strong win for National
Just three years after entering Parliament, former Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon is set to become New Zealand’s next Prime Minister.
The brutal election result for the Labour party last night saw New Zealanders clearly voting for change, and to have National Party and Luxon as the man to lead that change.
Luxon is speaking to the media for the first time since the “Blue Wave” that saw a pasting for Labour, which lost more than 30 seats and sending them back to Opposition after two terms in government.
STORY CONTINUES AFTER LIVEBLOG
Natasha Gordon
That's a wrap, folks - but only for today! Thank you for joining us for our special election night coverage.
Join us bright and early tomorrow morning for the latest updates on the election.
Simon Wilson: The Labour collapse - fit for the war but not for the peace
Natasha Gordon
OPINION
Labour came crashing down and every other party went up. Voters from all points on the political spectrum said, “Enough.” What’s Labour going to learn from this?
First up, the big one: It’s not enough to be fit for war, you also have to be fit for the peace. It’s the same thing they said about Winston Churchill, all those years ago.
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Christopher Luxon emerges after a long strategy meeting
Natasha Gordon
After more than three hours, National leader Christopher Luxon and other high-ranking party members have emerged from his home in Auckland after a long strategy meeting.
Luxon, set to become the next Prime Minister, said he would be travelling to Wellington tomorrow afternoon and would be welcoming the party's new MPs to Parliament as they began their induction process.
Luxon said the purpose of today's meeting was to "digest the election results" and think about next steps.
He remained tight-lipped on what had been decided, not answering whether the party had firmed up when it might conduct talks with members of the Act Party or NZ First.
"I said we won't do it through the media, we'll do it directly with the parties involved out of respect to them."
He also did not confirm or deny whether he had spoken to NZ First leader Winston Peters today.
With more than 500,000 special votes yet to be counted, Luxon did not indicate whether it was his preference to not advance the formation of the next government until those votes were in. He did accept it would make things more complex if that process began before the votes were counted.
"There's a bit of volatility sitting there but we'll carry on working with the parties directly.
"We know that the result is going to bounce around a little bit and that's the thing that we need to see how that's going to button down."
He echoed comments made by his campaign chair Chris Bishop earlier this morning that it was "quite possible" National would lose a seat after the special votes were counted, increasing the likelihood NZ First could be required to form a government.
While he was reluctant to share details of his conversations with New Zealand politicians, Luxon said he'd had a good talk with Australian PM Anthony Albanese earlier today.
Luxon said Albanese congratulated him on the election results and reaffirmed that he wanted to work "really closely together".
They also spoke about upcoming events for world leaders, including the Pacific Islands Forum and the APEC Economic Leaders' Week next month.
With the Pacific Islands Forum starting on November 6 in Rarotonga, Luxon said it was his intention to attend but acknowledged it could be compromised by how negotiations panned out.
"We'd like to try and do that but again, it's a little bit contingent upon how the next few weeks play out."
Natasha Gordon
Act's David Seymour says Kiwis have 'high expectations' for change after record election night
Natasha Gordon
Act party leader David Seymour says last night’s election was a record result for his party, but Kiwis now have high expectations for change.
In a media stand-up today, Seymour said he feels the party has been given an enormous responsibility which they intend to deliver on.
“This country voted for change because it faces some real challenges and our job is to help this country overcome those challenges over the next few years,” he said.
The Act Party received 9 per cent of the preliminary party votes and won two electorates, giving them a total of 11 seats so far. Special votes are yet to be counted.
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National will still need NZ First to form government, Westpac economist predicts
Natasha Gordon
National will still need the support of New Zealand First to achieve a working majority in Government, according to Westpac’s chief economist Kelly Eckhold.
Election night results indicated National and Act will have 61 seats in Parliament between them, but this could drop by one or two seats once the special votes were known on November 3.
Eckhold said it seemed likely the next Parliament would have 122 seats - 121 from the general election and a further seat likely following the Port Waikato by-election on November 25 - which meant National and Act would not have a majority.
“Hence the support of the NZ First Party will likely be needed to achieve a working majority.”
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Vera Alves
When asked whether there is change of generation going on from older established to younger Māori politicians, Ferris said a lot of the investment in Māori education and reclaiming Māori spaces has hit the ground.
"Our young people are educated and are aware of why and how inequities exist, and one of the jobs of Te Pāti Māori is to continue to raise that up, educate our people so they can stand up and move together."
Tākuta Ferris - Being 'an MP doesn't feel that much different'
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Newly elected Te Pāti Māori MP Tākuta Ferris told TVNZ's Q&A waking up knowing you're going to be an MP doesn't feel that much different.
"We're used to building into our people and we're just going to do it in a different place."
He said one of the things that got him over the lines was being on the ground across the South Island.
"That and a strong social campaign off the back of Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer's work over the past few years in parliament."
"One thing that can be taken away from this campaign is that Māori people are up, on their feet and making their intention heard."
New Zealand’s voting public demands change
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The losses have led to questions about the future of Chris Hipkins as the Labour leader.
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Act's deputy leader Brooke van Velden celebrates
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The Greens co-leader said Labour will need to go back and analyse their campaign to see what happened.
"Even if they made every decision right, they would still be pushing the proverbial uphill with a rake."
When asked how the party will be effective in opposition, Shaw said they have a big new team, half of the MPs will be new.
"It's the first time we have had that situation since 2011."
"It means we will have a wide spread and be on every select committee, ask more questions in the house, and more staff and resource."
Tāmati Coffey to finish up from politics
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Coffey said there was “no Plan B” just yet, except to resort to the original plan of spending quality time with his children.
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When asked whether Shaw would reconsider a coalition agreement with National, he said Christopher Luxon has said he doesn't want to work with us.
"He hasn't called us and I don't expect him to."
"Nobody ever goes to the Act Party and asks if they would want to work with Labour."
Shaw said the party's Wellington results point to a city who believes in public transport rather than roads.
"Good luck to Simeon Brown trying to drill his tunnels into Mount Victoria with opposition from local MPs and the council."
"We have always had strong Green support and now we have targeted into local representation."
The Green Party co-leader said Labour's result is a "shellacking."
"They lost some really good people and they will be shattered."
Green Party disappointed to be out of government
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Green Party deputy co-leader James Shaw told TVNZ's Q&A that the party is disappointed to be out of government, but they are really proud of the work they have done over the past six years.
"But, we had a banger of a night."
"We had a historic result in a number of ways. We returned stronger than at the end of a term of government, Chloe held Auckland Central - the only time we have ever held a seat for two elections."
"We have turned Wellington green - two MPs and a Green mayor. At the moment we have as many Green MPs as we have ever had before."
🎧 On the Campaign podcast looks at the election results
Vera Alves
National and Act have soared to victory, but will they get across the line without NZ First? And Labour's red tide has gone out - which seats have they lost, what caused their defeat, and how can they rebuild?
Recap last night's results with this special crossover episode of On the Campaign and The Front Page .
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New Ōtaki MP clear winner in race
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Tim Costley allowed himself a “quiet gin” after a commanding win to become the new Ōtaki MP.
“I don’t know if all the emotions have sunk in,” Costley said.
Read more here:
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Jones said, in the lead-up to the campaign, the party's contribution was marginalised and undervalued.
"The voters have spoken, there are ongoing issues to be addressed pertaining to the way the whole Covid experience was managed."
"Both Winston and I, with our roots to the north, want to make sure the Treaty is not unhinged from its historic moorings."
Jones said nothing trumps the anxiety and uncertainty that garden variety Kiwis feel about paying their bills.
When asked about the dynamic between the result of a Te Tiriti-centric party such as the Māori Party and Act and NZ First who campaigned around the role of the treaties, Jones said there is nothing about the treaty that can be taught to Winston and I.
"One thing we are deeply against is the movement away from a bi-cultural and bi-lingual comprehension of the Treaty."
He said the idea that you can only understand the Treaty through a Māori language version is wrong and needs to be put back into a more balanced position.
Shane Jones speaks on NZ First's return to parliament
Natasha Gordon
NZ First's Shane Jones told TV One's Q&A said the party's return to parliament is reflective of two years of hard work.
"Our leader Winston covered the four winds of the country, packed the town halls, and we had a spirited campaign and the dividend has arrived."
When asked about his response to the election results, Jones said there are substantial changes in the Māori seats.
"It's ironic because the strength of the Māori seats increases the chance of the joker in the pack for New Zealand First."
"As Winston has said last night and earlier on in the campaign, we're here to put the interests of garden variety Kiwis to the fore."
Final results? Recounts? Overhangs? What you need to know about the election from here
Natasha Gordon
As the dust settles after election night, Kiwis may be asking themselves what happens with the loose ends that need tying.
On last night’s numbers, National and Act could form a Government, but New Zealand cannot move forward just yet.
The Herald answers the questions you need to know about what happens now.
Read more
'We came back big time': In testy victory lap Winston Peters berates media, remains coy about future
Natasha Gordon
During a brief, testy confrontation with media this morning, Winston Peters remained cryptic about what role his newly resurrected New Zealand First party will play in the next government.
“We’ve got to talk to my colleagues first, and then we’ve got to decide what we’re going to do and what we’re doing it with,” the longtime politician said.
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High ranking National Party members have arrived at Christopher Luxon’s house
Natasha Gordon
Several high ranking National Party members have arrived at Christopher Luxon’s house in Auckland ahead of a strategy meeting following last night’s election win.
Todd McClay and Simeon Brown entered before National Party president Sylvia Wood arrived. She was greeted by Paul Goldsmith and deputy leader Nicola Willis. Party campaign chair Chris Bishop arrived shortly after.
Luxon’s chief of staff Cameron Burrows has also arrived.
Natasha Gordon
Rawiri Waititi explains how Te Pāti Māori will operate in opposition
Natasha Gordon
When asked how such Te Tiriti-centric party will operate while in opposition when NZ First and Act campaigned against it, Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi said they have been opposition since 1840.
"Everything we have achieved has been in opposition. I'm not going to take away all the hard work from our people on the ground and credit it to political parties of the past."
"That's an insult to people who worked hard on the ground."
"We will continue to do the hard work while in opposition, and it doesn't matter where we are, as long as our unapologetic voice is in that house advocating for our people."
Waititi said he sceptical about Luxon's promise to unite the country.
"On the campaign, we didn't see that. They ran some pretty emboldened and racist activity out in the regions."
He said they want to work with parties who want to get rid of the the declaration of the rights of indigenous peoples.
"Those things worry me."
"It's not just about National, but the people they want to work with."
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"Make no bones about it, they didn't last night see, the New Zealand people nor in this campaign what an economic and social crisis this country is in."
Winston Peters said that when people start waking up and seeing what they didn't know, and when they do, some of the campaign promises made won't be worth anything.
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When asked for his response on media commentators saying a "78 year old man is not the future of the country," Peters said "they are not the future of the country and they never were."
Peters said the next three years is a business called democracy and my job is to consult with my colleagues.
"When we decide what we're going to do and what we're going to do it with, we'll let you know."
Toughest campaign in 45 years - Winston Peters
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NZ First leader Winston Peters said the media marginalised, and shut out by the mainstream media the whole way.
"And you guys have failed."
Peters described it as the toughest campaign he had fought in the past 45 years.
"By a long shot because we were given no chance and in the demonising of NZ First in Friday's newspaper, there was a full-on deceitful attack."
Several Auckland electorates are on a knife-edge
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In an election marked by a right-wing resurgence, Auckland was an important battleground for National and Act, with even traditional Labour bastions unexpectedly in play.
But with half a million votes not yet accounted for, several hypercompetitive races could potentially change when the final results are known.
Act Party deputy leader humbled
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Act Party deputy leader and incomingTāmaki MP Brooke van Velden said she feels very humbled to serve the people of the electorate.
"But this hasn't been my campaign, it has been everyone's campaign. Even the fences for signs to be put on," she said.
"People have been in our campaign offices, actually printing all of those addressed mail, 60,000 of them."
"They have been working around the clock to make this happen, so thank you, everybody."
Rawiri Waititi “really elated” with the results
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Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi have received strong majorities in their respective electorates, Te Tai Hauāuru and Waiariki.
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"Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke represents that particular cohort of voters and the majority of our people who are that 70%."
Waititi said their other strategy was to create a belief in themselves that they don't need to be an add-on to any other party."We're a powerhouse in our political right and that's what we're starting to build."
Waititi said, while the party targeted all seven seats, Maipi-Clarke and Tākuta Ferris took out two huge Māori institutions in the Mahuta dynasty and Tirikatene dynasty.
"It shows that our people are starting to wake up to their power in terms of the voice for our people in parliament."
"All the electorates bar one are starting to see that having an unapologetic, unfettered, and unapologetic Māori voice in parliament is absolutely crucial to our development."
Rawiri Waititi says Te Pāti Māori are 'really elated'
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Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi told TV3's Newshub Nation that the party are really elated by the results and the night.
"But we are elated that our people turned out and our people are tuned into MMP and starting to see the power of their vote."
Waititi said the party has been targeting younger voters and encouraging our people to vote because 70% of Māori are 40 years and younger and 50% of those are 25 and younger.
"Our strategy has been to mobilise our young people to vote and mobilise giving them a voice and mobilise being able to see themselves in this movement."
Anthony Albanese congratulates Chris Luxon
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Marama Davidson says Greens holding their head up high
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Green Party Co-Leader Marama Davidson told TV3’s The Hui the party is holding their head up high on our campaign.
“We were doing that before the results came in.”
Davidson said the party has more than doubled its Māori and Pasifika caucus.
When asked about Labour’s showing amongst Māori voters and the loss of certain Māori MPs, Davidson said she is proud of the work Peeni Henare and Willie Jackson did in housing.
“That’s the biggest mahi we have seen for Māori housing, ever.”
When asked about the poor results for the left bloc of parties, the Green Party co-leader said she acknowledges that people were seeking change.
“In that context, for the Greens and Te Pāti Māori to increase our electorates says a lot.”
“We have a lot of work to do to build on the work we have seen through the campaign, that’s our mahi from here,” she said.
“We know that Te ao Māori are looking for strong and staunch Treaty values and leadership, and we have built that through the campaign, and that’s the mahi we have to fight for.”
She said there was a concerted effort to dog-whistle and dehumanise low-income people who were just trying to do their best.
When asked how they plan to advocate for those people in opposition, Davidson said the Greens have always built their voice on aroha and mahi on the ground.
“We have seen that can make change and The Greens have always attached our levers to community power.”
Act MP says party will be pushing for Treaty 'conversations'
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Act MP Karen Chhour told TV3's The Hui that conversations about The Treaty are a top priority.
She said the party has campaigned for the past three years on the division that has been up and down the country.
“We wouldn’t just turn our back on that for the power, we need to have those discussions.”
“It’s very important to us and it’s something we will be pushing for because a high percentage of the country wants to have a vote on this.”
Chhour said she is very passionate about children’s issues and would like to hold onto the Children’s Minister portfolio in government.
'We'll rebuilding' - Peeni Henare confident that Labour will recover
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Labour MP Peeni Henare told TV3s The Hui that Labour has work to do.
“When I first came in, we only had 32 seats, so this isn’t new territory,” he said.
“I’m confident we’ll rebuild.”
He said the conversations about who should lead the rebuild will happen over the coming days.
“We’re a smaller party than before, but those conversations will happen and I’m still hopeful.”
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Murray Kirkness
Winston Peters speaks to media from Russell, in Northland. Photo / Michael Cunningham
'I wish nothing but the best for him'
Murray Kirkness
Luxon, meanwhile, had a message for Chris Hipkins:
"Thank you for your service, thank you for doing public service ... I wish nothing but the best for him going forward."
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Peters, speaking about on the Waikato byelection, said he did not think it would be a matter of concern for NZ First's prospects.
What asked what he was looking forward to most, he said "First I have to start talking to my colleagues. We've got to decide what we're going to do and who we're doing it with."
Winston Peters speaks
Murray Kirkness
Winston Peters has just arrived to speak to media in Russell.
"I'm waiting to know what the final result of this election is. It's clear we won't know until the 3rd of November.
"The first thing we've got to find out ... is what we're dealing with (before talk of dealing with Luxon)."
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"We've got the team, we've got the energy and we've got the ideas," Luxon said.
He said he last night got home about 2am and caught up with his family of four for the first time without people around.
He worked out results until 3.30am and then woke up and watched the All Blacks.
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Luxon said he will continue to build rapport with Māori, and that was putting two candidates in Māori seats were for.
"I'm very excited about the future for New Zealand," Luxon said.
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Luxon and Nicola Willis at the standup.
Willis said National had campaigned on tax relief and promises to deliver it.
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"We're just conscious the vote (numbers) are still going to move around," Luxon said with reference to half a million special votes still to count.
‘Political bloodbath’ and the end of the Jacinda Ardern era - World reacts to National Party’s victory in New Zealand
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“The rightward shift came as voters punished the party once led by Jacinda Ardern for failing to deliver the transformational change that it had promised,” the New York Times wrote.
Murray Kirkness
"This election was always going to be about the economy."
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"We want to send a message to the rural community that we have their backs," Luxon said.
Mt Roskill and Te Atatu were unexpected wins: Bishop
Murray Kirkness
Bishop said National wasn't expecting to pick up Mt Roskill and Te Atatu electorates.
"We put a real effort into Auckland," Bishop said.
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"I will do whatever he [Luxon] asks me to do," Bishop said when asked if he would be a Cabinet Minister.
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Chris Bishop said he was happy with the campaign the party had run.
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"It's our most critical, important relationship and I want that to go to strength from strength," he said of New Zealand's relationship with Australia.
He had yet to hear from, or talk to, Albanese but said Australia was busy with its referendum last night.
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He hasn't spoken to Australian PM Anthony Albanese, but says the country's relationship with Australia is his number one international priority.
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Asked if there should be an inquiry into issues at voting booths, Luxon said the Electoral Commission "had one job".
He said there would be a "natural process" of a review.
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He said he was appreciative of Winston Peters' remarks that NZ First will help if needed.
Asked why he hadn't called Peters, he said he'd work through that.
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"We are going to deliver a strong and stable Government that will get things done," he said.
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"Our view is we've got a great mandate for change," Luxon said.
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Luxon said out of respect to potential partners, he will not conduct negotiations through the media.
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He said the strategy team would meet this afternoon. He wouldn't reveal who is in the strategy team.
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Luxon said he had spoken to David Seymour twice yesterday and said they have "good alignment and good chemistry".
Luxon speaks
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"We are going to be a government for all New Zealanders," PM-in-waiting Christopher Luxon said this morning.
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NZ First MP Shane Jones told TV3's The Hui that Winston Peters is the ultimate phoenix.
"It was a vindication of the hard work over the past two years that Winston and the team have put in - and pulled off the impossible by leading our movement back into parliament."
Jones said "the deck of cards is still being shuffled" in terms of special votes.
"In 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2017, the Tories lost a seat, in some cases two, in each of those special counts.
"If historical trends represent anything of value, it's very unlikely the Tories will hold the number of seats they hold this morning."
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“I tell you it’s a great day when we’ve got a National Government and the All Blacks winning again,” Luxon said on his way to speak to media.
Luxon says All Blacks victory means he will already delivering on his promises
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Christopher Luxon, in an All Blacks shirt, said he is already delivering on his promises, which was to win the Rugby World Cup.
He joked the All Blacks won both World Cups held under the last National Government (2011 and 2014).
Luxon about to go live
Murray Kirkness
Christopher Luxon is about to speak. You can watch it live here
Seymour on the Treaty
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Seymour said it's better to have a slim majority of two parties who want to work together.
"National and Act agree on a lot of issues, we may disagree on the ways to get there, but we broadly agree on our goals."
"A third moving part would only make things more complicated."
When asked about Brooke van Velden winning Tāmaki, Seymour said he's so proud of her.
"I've known Brooke for almost 10 years and she is a very special and talented individual.
"If you look at what she's done, she's always made herself so visible. She's basically not left Tāmaki for the last six months.
"I think she's going to make an excellent local MP."
When asked about the dynamics of parliament with Act winning a record number of seats and Te Pāti Māori having four MPs, Seymour said having a party who is quite treaty lead such as Te Pāti Māori is fine, but Act wants the Treaty to be better understood.
"We want to enshrine the Treaty within New Zealand's constitutional arrangement.
"But a Treaty that is properly understood and brings people together rather than divides.
"If you read it, it's very good. But it's the interpretation over the past 30 years that we are opposed to."
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Jon Reeves from Kerikeri, NZ First supporter for a decade, with his van on the Russell waterfront.
All eyes on the All Blacks this morning
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The crowd at the Duke of Marlborough watching the All Blacks.
Murray Kirkness
The Epsom MP said it's certainly possible - but not necessarily likely - that National and Act will require NZ First to form a government.
"There are about half a million people who made a special vote and let's see what that delivers over the next few weeks."
"But what I do know is that Act has a strong mandate and some very talented MPs coming in, in addition to our returning ones, and a big debt to repay to all of those who put their trust in us.
"That's what we're focussed on doing, regardless of what government format emerges after the votes."
Seymour: Talks now begin
Murray Kirkness
Seymour said he and Luxon spoke all day yesterday and "we will have to be talking a lot more over the next few weeks".
The Epsom MP said politicians always hoped to get more votes.
"When we look at what happened, Act asked a series of truths such as an honest conversation about the role of the treaty in our society. The government's books are in terrible shape and we are going to have to reduce expenditure.
"A lot of those truths need to be told and they're not always well received."
Seymour said the party got a record result by being true to themselves.
"And now we're in a position to do the important change New Zealand requires so that it can reach its potential for the next generation and the one after that."
Seymour: A vote for change
Murray Kirkness
David Seymour told TVNZ the record vote for Act shows there was a vote for change in New Zealand.
"We now look forward to getting stuck in and repaying the trust voters have put into us."
No suggestions of refresh at top: Woods
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Wigram MP Megan Woods told RNZ that last night's result wasn't the one they were hoping for and there is a lot to digest.
Woods said there is no suggestion that there will be a refresh at the top.
"As Chris said in his speech last night, we need to regroup as a party and have a look at what's happened.
"Like any party in this situation, we have to go away and reassess where we're at and what this all means for us. But we will regroup. We've done it before."
When asked what she thought went wrong, Woods said there was a strong mood for a change.
"We're seeing that with incumbent governments who were there through Covid."
The Wigram MP said she was proud of all of the Labour candidates and volunteers.
"Clearly it wasn't enough but what we did see when all of the on-the-day votes came in, we did see an uptick in Labour votes and some of the seats coming back stronger," she said.
She said that the party will need to analyse some of the things that Auckland went through.
"We will need to go into our next stage as opposition and holding the government to account," Woods said.
"We have been through a lot as government and the mood for change was there, so we will need to take a look and see how much the mood for change was the campaign and how much were external forces."
Shane Jones watches the All Blacks v Ireland at The Duke in Russell
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Nigel Farage congratulates Winston Peters
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Chris Bishop expects electorates to flip back to Labour
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When asked why it went so well for National, Bishop said people asked themselves whether they are better off than they were six years ago and whether the country is going in the right direction.
"People are quite frustrated on issues like law and order, education, health, and the cost of living. People have looked at National and saw a better alternative."
Bishop said National has done a good job over the past two years laying out a better alternative.
"We have put forward a whole series of positive policies and that has made a difference as well," he said.
"We have genuine solutions for health, the cost of living. We have sensible solutions for law and order. We were able to compare and contrast our plan with the track record of the current government."
Bishop said he anticipates some of the specials will result in certain electorates flipping back to Labour.
The Hutt South MP said the party needs to digest the results first, but the decision to call Winton Peters will obviously be a call for Chris Luxon to make.
He said our vote was over 40% at one point at the coalition seat numbers hit 66 at one point."But as the on the day votes came in and specials were yet to be counted, our vote may diminish."
"Christopher said in his speech last night that numbers on the night, National and Act could form a government, but he also specifically acknowledged Winston Peters."
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National Party campaign chair Chris Bishop told RNZ that they are pleased with the result but won't be ruling out NZ First.
"There was quite a strong move to come and that has been reflected in the numbers," Bishop said.
He said there are still quite a few special votes to come in over the next few weeks.
"Traditionally the National Party loses a vote on the specials, so we'll just have to wait and see what the final vote counts will be and where the seats end up."
'What a turnaround' - Chris Bishop
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Chris Bishop said last night was about a change of direction for the country, “this is an amazing night".
“And some of you were there in 2020, and you kept the faith - and we don’t talk about that night - but what a turnaround in the last three years. And it’s all down to Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis.”
He said it was still too close to call in Hutt South, where he was hoping to claim the electorate back from Labour’s Ginny Andersen, and they may need to wait for the special votes to be counted.But with 89.5 % of votes counted, and Bishop ahead by 784 votes, he was feeling “cautiously optimistic of success”.
He also had a message for Rongotai’s new likely MP, with Julie Anne Genter in line to turn the Labour stronghold green.
“It looks like Julie Anne Genter might sneak home in Rongotai, but here’s something that’s happening in Julie Anne Genter’s new seat. We’re building a second Mount Victoria tunnel!
“No more secret letters are going to derail the transport progress that Wellington needs - National will deliver it!”
Sepuloni 'concerned' following election result
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Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni said Labour and the Greens have worked together to see a decline in carbon emissions over the past few years.
"But I am concerned that we won't continue to see that decline because some of the policies that will be pulled back from the other side."
National Party list candidate Agnes Loheni said her party campaigned on cost of living, which is an issue for Pasifika people.
She said another key area for Pasifika people is education.
"That is an area that hasn't been talked enough about in the area of Pasifika people."
"We have to get our kids back to school and get back to education fundamentals and address the shortages we have in the workforce."
National Party MP Angee Nicholas said every party gave it there best.
New faces on track to enter NZ’s 54th Parliament
Vera Alves
The swing away from Labour has seen its caucus cut by almost half, paving the way for new MPs to come in from other parties and the return of New Zealand First.
Here are the newcomers of 2023:
Chris Hipkins reveals new partner in concession speech
Vera Alves
Former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins took the opportunity to reveal a new beginning of his own.
Murray Kirkness
Green Party list MP Efeso Collins said it was great the party had doubled its Pasifika caucus.
"As the Green Party, we felt like some of our messages were really resonating.
"If you look at some of the seats we have taken, we have often been an urban liberal party, but now we're broadening our appeal.
"That's what the new game is like," he said.
Sepuloni said she would stick around as she has been elected for the Kelston seat.
"I actually know a little bit more now that I have been in government, and I look forward to putting that into practice when I am in opposition."
When asked about the low voter turnout in Kelston, Sepuloni said Covid had created a lot of uncertainty and there was a lot of misinformation flying about.
And if you're interested ...
Murray Kirkness
The All Blacks are about to kick off their RWC semi-final against Ireland. Follow the Herald's live coverage here.
The election by the numbers
Murray Kirkness
The Electoral Commission said 2,244,380 ordinary votes were counted yesterday.
Special votes still to be counted are estimated at 567,000 (20.2% of total votes). This includes an estimated 80,000 overseas and dictation votes. In 2020 there were 504,621 special votes including 62,787 overseas and dictation votes, the commission said.
The total estimated votes (those counted on election night plus estimated special votes still to be counted) is 2,811,380.
Voter turnout for 2023 is estimated to be 78.4% of those enrolled as at 5pm Saturday October 14.
This compares with a final 82.2% turnout of those enrolled in 2020.
Murray Kirkness
National list MP Agnes Loheni said the community sentiment she felt when doorknocking was a lot of frustration with the current government and the status quo.
"But part of the low turnout was also a vote, where a lot of Labour voters who I spoke to said they can't bring themselves to vote for Labour this time," she said.
"But whether they put their vote somewhere else or decided to stay home, that was their voice," Loheni said.
Smokin ...
Murray Kirkness
Northland's Shane Jones with presumptive fellow NZ First MP Tanya Unkovich celebrating last night's election victory.
Murray Kirkness
When asked why there were fewer voters than three years ago, National MP Angee Nicholas (from Te Atatū) said there was a feeling for change, but it was possible voters were at a place where "they were tired of politics."
"Despite what we saw on polls, people in Te Atatū were looking for some kind of change," she said.
STORY CONTINUES
At a National Party event last night, Luxon said that this morning New Zealanders would “wake up to a new day, a promise of a new government and a new direction”.
The election night results put National and Act in a position where they have a majority to govern, but at 61 seats and special votes still to count, it will be a few weeks before Luxon will know if he will get his dream of a National-Act government or if he will need to call NZ First leader Winston Peters.
Luxon’s key election campaign promises included tax cuts for middle-income earners, a crackdown on crime and youth offending, a ban on cellphones in schools, and the scrapping of the Labour government’s plan to raise fuel taxes.
The strategy team will be meeting on Sunday afternoon, Luxon said, to talk through the next steps including discussions about working with Winston Peters.
Luxon promises to try to unify the country, saying that was the job of a prime minister.
“You want every prime minister to leave the country more unified than when they came into the job,” he said.
“We’re going to govern for all New Zealanders, we are going to bring New Zealanders together, to work together on the challenges that we’ve got.”
Luxon said that he had spoken to Act Leader David Seymour twice since last night’s election results.
“In very broad brush terms, David and I over the last couple of months have spoken every couple of days and we’ve been neighbours for four years so we do know each other fairly well,” he said.
“We’ve talked about getting the economy rebuilt, restoring law and order, those same goals we are very aligned.
“What we have made sure is that we have good alignment and good chemistry.”
Luxon said he will not be doing any of the coalition negotiations through the media or with the media out of respect for the parties involved.
He said with more than 500,000 special votes still to count, there was still a lot of dynamics at play and the numbers were “going to bounce around.
“But our view is that we’ve got a great mandate for change,” Luxon said.
“What I want is for New Zealanders to be reassured that we are going to deliver a strong and stable government that’s going to get things done.”
Luxon said the relationship with Australia will be his government’s “number one foreign policy” and it is one that he would like to see grow from strength to strength.
Chris Bishop said he was really happy with the campaign that the National Party had run.
“It’s about the country, it’s about changing the government and that’s what we’ve done and that’s ultimately why I’m happy,” Bishop said.
“Auckland in particular has swung very hard for National, we really did do an excellent job in Auckland in places like Mt Roskill for example where Carlos (Cheung) ran a great campaign... we weren’t expecting to pick up the Mt Roskill seat with Michael Wood who many people regard as a hardworking local member.”
He told RNZ the decision to call Winton Peters would be a call for Luxon to make.
“But as the on the day votes came in and specials were yet to be counted, our vote may diminish.”
Last night, Peters said “if we can help, we will” if National and Act lose votes on the special votes or if there is a larger overhang in Parliament because of Te Pāti Māori’s resurgence.
In his election night speech, Luxon said he had spoken to Act leader David Seymour, and on current numbers it appeared National and Act would be able to form a government.
He also congratulated Peters, and said he appreciated Peters’ comment that he was willing to help if needed.
He said he was humbled by the support for National, but also energised by it.
“We all share an interest in living in a safe, stable country that celebrates fairness and wants the best for every New Zealander.
“It’s what unites us that matters to me,” he said. He offered a special thanks to everyone who voted for National.
“For all those that didn’t vote for National, we won’t let you down either,” he said.