Election 2020: Wellington turns into sea of red

Wellington City. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Wellington was already a Labour stronghold, but this year's election results have tightened the party's grasp on the region considerably.

Notably, National's Chris Bishop lost his seat in Hutt South to Labour's Ginny Andersen in a last-minute swing.

By the time 99 per cent of the votes were counted Andersen had secured a 2229 majority over Bishop.

Just before 10.30pm on election night the difference between the pair was just 110 votes, but a surge a few minutes later widened the gap significantly to 1158.

Andersen said the night felt like a rollercoaster.

"It got right down to about 109 and we were getting a bit nervous, it always does go up and down.

"It's been the fight of my life. I've worked every single day to take this electorate back and I'm proud to do that."

Seats further afield also turned red.

Labour's Ginny Andersen, centre, has won Hutt South back for the party. Photo / Georgina Campbell

In Ōtaki Labour's Terisa Ngobi won the seat over National's Tim Costley.

Until now it has been very much a blue seat with retiring MP Nathan Guy first winning it back in 2008.

Labour has also grabbed Wairarapa from National.

Labour list MP Kieran McAnulty ended election night with a comprehensive 5411 majority over National candidate Mike Butterick.

The race in Ōhāriu was very much all or nothing.

National's Brett Hudson ended up being no match for Labour incumbent Greg O'Connor, who was ahead early in the game.

O'Connor only had a narrow majority of 1051 over Hudson in 2017 after long time Ōhāriu MP and United Future leader Peter Dunne called it quits.

But by the time 97.5 per cent of the votes were counted this time around that majority had skyrocketed to 9976.

O'Connor said he now felt like he had a real mandate from Ōhāriu.

"It's a big expectation now, locally and nationally we've got this vote, we've got this support from New Zealand so the pressure comes now.

"We can enjoy it tonight, but tomorrow the mahi starts, we've got to get out there now and ensure we justify this faith that people have put in us."

Mana has thrown its support behind Labour's new face in the electorate, Barbara Edmonds.

She managed to beat National's Jo Hayes by 13,223 votes with 99.2 per cent of the votes counted.

Mana's former representative Kris Faafoi will remain in Parliament as a list MP.

In Wellington Central, Grant Robertson has landed in a very similar position.

He beat National's up and comer Nicola Willis by 14,880 votes with 92.9 per cent of them counted.

Robertson said the result was an incredible vote of confidence from New Zealanders.

"I'm extremely proud too of Labour and the fact that we've led people through Covid-19, we've looked after people's lives and their livelihoods, and New Zealanders have believed in us."

During the campaign Robertson said he got a strong and positive feeling from people but he didn't want to count his chickens.

Labour's Grant Robertson. Photo / Katie Harris

He said he has always known Jacinda Ardern would be an extraordinary Prime Minister and the country has seen that through crises like the March 15 mosque shootings, Covid-19, and Whakaari White Island.

"It's been a really tough period to be Prime Minister and people have seen in Jacinda that leadership that's got huge strength of character, but compassion, razor sharp intellect, they don't come along very often, leaders like Jacinda."

National's party vote was well down in the electorate with the Greens coming in second to Labour at 30.8 per cent.

Chris Hipkins has been the local MP in Remutaka for the past 12 years and has easily secured another three in the job.

He beat National's candidate Mark Crofskey by 17,226 votes by the time 99.1 per cent of votes were counted.

In Rongotai, Labour's Paul Eagle has comfortably secured another term as the local MP, which will be his second after Annette King retired.

With 98.5 per cent of the votes counted, Eagle had a 15,234 majority over Green Party candidate Teall Crossen.

Eagle said he took nothing for granted, but was feeling over the moon.

"Now it's time to deliver, so I've got a strong mandate now to ensure more housing, sorting out our transport, and to focus on climate change and the environment."

The Greens were also second highest for the party vote in Rongotai.

TOP leader Geoff Simmons was well behind on 2689 votes.