Election 2014: Look who's back - Judith Collins holds on to Papakura

Judith Collins. Photo / supplied

The unceremonious resignation of Judith Collins as a minister doesn't seem to have made much difference to her candidate vote.

Judith Collins overwhelmingly won the vote in Papakura, gaining more than 14,000 votes.

Though, Collins did receive around 4000 fewer votes this year than she did in 2011, she convincingly beat Labour's Jerome Mika who received around 9,000 votes.

The embattled former MP resigned last month following the release of hacked emails alleging an abuse of power.

At the time of her resignation, opinion was split in Papakura.

The Herald on Sunday visited the electorate shortly after the resignation was announced.

"I'm very upset about it, actually, because she's such a good minister," said John Smith.

Christine Baty was also unshaken in her support for the embattled MP.

"We need somebody stirring and feisty," she said.

"She's in your face. I like having somebody like that there."

But Sanjay Arora said her resignation was "about time".

"She should have been sacked earlier. I don't know why John Key took so much time."

Rita Rai said she voted for Collins at the last election but would not do so again.

"Things have been a little too murky."

The Dirty Politics scandal has tarnished Collins in Danny Cairns' view.

"When she first started I actually thought she was quite good, even though I didn't vote for her. After what's happened over the last few weeks, I'm glad she's gone."

At the time of her resignation, Collins released a statement strongly denying any suggestion of inappropriate behaviour, and vowing to continue her campaign for the Papakura vote.

"I am a strong advocate for the people of Papakura and I will continue to put the same passion and energy into representing them.

"I am getting on with my job as MP for Papakura and will campaign strongly for re-election this year," Collins said.

- with additional reporting by The Herald on Sunday