More women in house but men rule the roost

The number of women MPs has increased after Saturday's election, but men still hold the balance of power in the new parliament.

Women won 32.8 per cent of the seats, compared with 28 per cent in 2002.

Eighty-two men were elected this year, more than double the number of women, who won 40 seats.

The 2002 Parliament had 86 men and 34 women.

Men dominated the electorate seats to a much greater extent than women, winning 53 as opposed to 16.

Of the political parties, the Greens had the greatest proportion of successful female candidates.

Four of their six MPs elected were women, or 67 per cent.

Of the two main parties, Labour fared better than National when it came to equality of the sexes.

Labour now has 19 women MPs out of a total of 50 (38 per cent), compared with National's 13 of 49 (27 per cent).

National increased its number of women from six of 27 MPs in the last election.

Figures

The numbers of women elected for the other parties on Saturday were:

* Act: one of two (50 per cent)

* United Future: one of three (33 per cent)

* Maori Party: one of four (25 per cent)

* NZ First: one of seven (14 per cent)

* Progressive: zero