"It's not all over bar the shouting just yet," the former kohanga reo teacher and Ministry of Education adviser, and mum of nine said.
"I don't want to jinx it - but I think we're looking pretty secure."
As a List MP, Mrs Fox's responsibility is to represent Maori Party voters all over the country.
She said she's already thinking of the job ahead of her - including continuing the party's funding of Maori innovation and enterprise.
"I'm excited, apprehensive and overwhelmed - there is so much to do."
Mrs Fox said she had a "wonderful" election night at Papawai Marae with friends and whanau, including brother Ra Smith, who stood for the Maori Party in Wairarapa.
She knew she had "the slimmest of chances" of beating Ms Whaitiri for Ikaroa-Rawhiti, traditionally a Labour stronghold.
"But she'll be fantastic for the East Coast."
She said it was devastating to watch the seats of Te Tai Hauauru and Tamaki Makaurau - previously held by Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples - fall to Labour.
The seats were contested by the Maori Party's Chris McKenzie and Rangi McLean, respectively.
"As we saw them slip away we thought I might have a chance of getting in as a list.
"But, it's a bittersweet victory.
"Knowing you're in because your mates are out is a hard pill to swallow."
She is also "saddened" for Mana movement leader Hone Harawira, following the loss of Te Tai Tokerau to Labour's Kelvin Davis.
"The Mana voice was reduced by Kim Dotcom.
"Dotcom's big campaigns made our sausage sizzles look humble by comparison, but the sausage-sizzle voters have stuck with us."
While Mrs Fox's responsibilities will be nationwide, she said her heart lies with Ikaroa-Rawhiti and she hopes to have an impact on issues facing the East Coast, such as the 18 per cent Maori unemployment rate.
"That's triple the national average and it needs to change."
