The electoral battle for Auckland

National bounced back in the Auckland region, but despite some success failed to increase its number of electorate seats.

By 10pm yesterday, with more than 80 per cent of the votes counted, National had captured 40.3 per cent of party vote nationally, ahead of Labour on 40.1 per cent.

But National's better showing was tinged with disappointment for some of its representatives: Richard Worth was well beaten in Epsom seat by Act New Zealand's Rodney Hide in the most bitter battle of the centre-right in the history of MMP politics.

But Worth is not out of Parliament. At No 16 on National's list he is guaranteed a seat in the new National caucus.

Overall though, Labour retained nine of the region's 19 general seats, level-pegging with National, and continued to dominate the electorate vote, though not the party vote, in working-class suburbs, especially South Auckland.

In the Maori seats Auckland it was a different story. Tamaki Makaurau's sitting Labour candidate, John Tamihere, fell early to Dr Pita Sharples, and Labour's Dover Samuels to Hone Harawira in Te Tai Tokerau.

However Tainui, which touches the southern Auckland region, looked like being retained by Labour's Nanaia Mahuta.

Auckland regional predictions based on vote-counting to 10pm yesterday, with the winner or predicted winner:

Auckland Central

Judith Tizard (Lab), Labour hold.

Clevedon

Judith Collins (Nat), National hold.

East Coast Bays

Murray McCully (Nat), National hold

Epsom

Rodney Hide (Act), Act gain.

Helensville

John Key (Nat), National hold.

Mangere

Taito Phillip Field (Lab), Labour hold.

Manukau East

Ross Robertson (Lab), Labour hold.

Manurewa

George Hawkins (Lab), Labour hold.

Maungakiekie

Mark Gosche (Lab), Labour hold.

Mt Albert

Helen Clark (Lab), Labour hold.

Mt Roskill

Phil Goff (Lab), Labour hold.

New Lynn

David Cunliffe (Lab), Labour hold.

North Shore

Dr Wayne Mapp (Nat), National gain.

Northcote

Jonathan Coleman (Nat), National gain.

Pakuranga

Maurice Williamson (Nat), National hold.

Port Waikato

Paul Hutchison (Nat), National hold.

Rodney

Dr Lockwood Smith (Nat), National hold.

Tamaki

Allan Peachy (Nat), National hold.

Waitakere

Lynne Pillay (Lab), Labour hold.

Te Tai Tokerau

Hone Harawera (Maori), Maori gain.

Tamaki Makaurau

Dr Pita Sharples (Maori), Maori gain.

Tainui

Nanaia Mahuta (Lab), Labour hold.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY