Labour's Meka Whaitiri, who retained her Ikaroa-Rawhiti by soundly beating the Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox last night, said it was a grass roots campaign that propelled her to victory,
The announcement was made just before 10.30pm last night after more than 100 whanau and friends spent several hours sharing food, drinks and memories at the Clive Hotel.
More than 10,200 people belonging to the Maori electorate voted for Ms Whaitiri, while Ms Fox sat well behind at just 6,436 votes.
Green Party's Dr Elizabeth Kerekere got 1,539 votes.
The Labour Party won all Maori seats this election, with political newcomer and former TV weatherman Tamati Coffey unseating Maori Party leader Te Ururoa Flavell in a tight race in Waiariki.