Election briefs: Republicans scrape meagre tally

The least popular candidate on Saturday's election failed to even register double digit votes.

Bevan Berg, of the NZ Republicans Party, pulled in nine out of a total 25,510 valid candidate votes in the Auckland electorate of Maungakiekie.

He was followed closely by Debra Potroz, from the Republic of New Zealand Party, who received 12 out of a total 26,677 candidate votes in Taupo.

The two candidates who earned the most candidate votes were from the National Party - Paul Hutchison had 20,891 votes in Port Waikato, and National's John Key had 20,065 votes in Helensville.

First-timer goes National

After oscillating between the two major parties over the last few months, the Herald's first-time voter Jeremy Wapp went with National.

The 22-year-old car parts salesman from Manurewa gave two ticks to National on Saturday - despite a poor view of leader Don Brash - after finding himself agreeing with most of National's policies.