Divided opposition vote lets newcomer in

By ANGELA GREGORY

WHANGAREI - A three-way split in the anti-Government vote kept Whangarei safe for National newcomer Phil Heatley.

While the Labour Party gained the most party votes, voters to the left and centre did not exhibit the same strategic manoeuvring to oust National as they did in 1996.

That year they rallied behind the New Zealand First candidate, Brian Donnelly, who came within just 383 votes of ousting the controversial sitting MP, John Banks.

This election night, the results put Mr Heatley ahead of his closest rival, Labour's Denise Jelicich, by 1634 votes.

Mr Donnelly, an early favourite because of the strong 1996 results, finished third - and National insiders were pleased he did not do worse because a swag of potential Labour voters appear to have opted for the respected former school principal.

Mr Heatley, a 32-year-old agricultural engineer, did not relax until the final election-night result was posted after midnight.

He could have taken satisfaction in outpolling his party, given the damaging internal ructions after his selection. But he has already learned the art of diplomacy and let the matter drop.

An unnerved but good humoured Mr Donnelly had earlier all but thrown in the towel as news of NZ First's poor party vote and the precarious position in party leader Winston Peters' Tauranga electorate filtered through.

"I'm quite happy to go back teaching," he said.

But yesterday he was confident that NZ First would hold Tauranga and assure him another term in politics from the party list.

For Mrs Jelicich, a teacher, it is back to school today, but she has no regrets.

She says it is now clear that Labour is a force to be reckoned with in the north.

"I'm pleased we raised Labour Party support by 135 per cent in Whangarei, and Labour also received the most party votes in the Northland seat."