Anderton keeps Wigram but new party barely registers

By ANGELA GREGORY

11.05pm - Progressive Coalition leader Jim Anderton has had his huge majority in Wigram slashed but still holds the seat -- giving his fledgling party a foothold in Parliament.

The party's tiny 1.76 per cent of the vote - as at 11pm with 96 per cent of the vote counted - combined with his Wigram seat gives it two seats, a small filip for Labour on the left.

Mr Anderton who split with Alliance colleagues to form the Progressive Coalition had his majority in Wigram cut from 9885 to 2967 by a strong challenge from Labour.

He told supporters that he wanted to begin work on a coalition with Labour.

"The sooner we get down to business the better".

But he believed the Greens had "ruled themselves out of coalition" by threatening to bring down the Government over its plan to lift the moratorium on genetic engineering.

Anderton has held the Wigram seat for 18 years and he pushed his party as the first choice to provide stable government.

The second Progressive Coalition list candidate, Matt Robson, who returns to Parliament on the back of Jim Anderton, said he was eager to carry on with his Cabinet duties, as Minister of Corrections.

"And I certainly have the confidence of my colleagues in Cabinet...there is no reason why I can't do the jobs."

Mr Robson said it had been difficult for Jim Anderton's Progressive Coalition to compete given the party had no televison or radio exposure.

"Our party was smashed to pieces...but we have rebuilt the core."

Mr Robson was not surprised with the Alliance's poor showing.

"They chose their path, and they got their result."

Full election results