Tamaki

Dubbed the invisible man by his rivals, it seems Tamaki MP Clem Simich has reappeared to be elected for another term as the local MP.

The only thing that might have stopped him being re-elected was his own party, National.

Early in the campaign, talk emerged National might do a deal with the struggling Act party, possibly pulling Simich out and endorsing Act's list MP Ken Shirley for the electorate vote.

It's unlikely such a ploy would impress the voters, but with National itself battling low poll ratings, a deal with Act is now extremely unlikely.

Shirley has spent part of the campaign in London seeking the overseas vote for Act, so Simich's main challenge comes from young Labour candidate, Leila Boyle, 25.

But if she reduces Simich's majority of 4911 votes she says she will be ecstatic.

If a party other than National does win Tamaki, it will break the conservative standard-bearer's four-decade grip on the seat.

Before Simich won it in a byelection in 1992, the late Prime Minister Sir Robert Muldoon had held the seat for 31 years. Before him, Labour's Bob Tizard was MP for Tamaki, although for only three years.

The electorate has some of the country's most exclusive homes, but also has many state houses.

Over 70 per cent of the electorate's voters identify as being of European descent.

The electorate is on average considered to be affluent. The average income is $5300 above the national average of $18,500.

The unemployment rate is 7.3 per cent, below the national average of 7.5 per cent.

The Tamaki electorate covers Orakei, Mission Bay, Kohimarama, St Heliers, Glendowie, Meadowbank, Pt England, Glen Innes and Panmure.

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