Your views, September 18

I think its absolutely disgusting that some people (Steve Quention) who have aired their views think that being born in a poor family is somehow your fault and that the lower socioeconomic people shouldn't be helped. I think Helen Clark has done tremendously well for her self and I applaud her. She is a great person, a great leader. Our economy has been growing rapidly and Labour's all inclusive policies is what we need! It's time to wake up and realise that this nation is multicultural and that National is just a party for white rich men. It makes me sick and I hope those 200,000 votes go in Helen's favour if not Green/ Progressive. Go Labour!
- Marwan Juma

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While the election is very close it is clear there was a swing toward National. It will be very interesting to see what factions arise from this election.
- Phillip

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Don Brash should be congratulated upon the success of National in this election. The major increase in the number of seats in Parliament from such a short time as National's leader shows that people had just been waiting for someone like him to come along and take up the hard issues. Labour should have a real hard think about their policies and people's discontent. On the other hand, Richard Worth should also think about how he lost the Epsom seat since it was only two elections ago that Christine Fletcher, a National candidate, won the seat with the biggest majority in the country. How National managed to lose this traditional stronghold needs serious thought. Go Don!
- Vanessa

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I have watched avidly every movement and comment during the election from Australia. I am saddened by the aggressive nature each side has for the other, but I am not convinced it was the politicians who are to blame. I have always been proud of Helen Clark, I lived in Singapore before moving to Oz and she was respected immensely in Asia. The fact that most people want to comment on her or Don Brash's personalities or appearance is an embarrassment, both parties put forward compelling reasons why they should govern. Forget about Paintergate, Brethrengate, Testiclegate, Driving-through-South-Canterbury-at-170km/hgate, just unite and be proud of a country that is winning on the global stage, rugby, cricket, tourism, trade agreements, invites to Asean summits, the futures looking good for Godzone. NZ is divided at the moment but now is the time for all sides to be gracious in defeat, because as I see it there was only one winner out of this election, and that was the media who waged a campaign of their own to sensationalise and detract from what the leaders were attempting to say.
- James

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I am very disappointed at the Labour victory, not only because I disagree with Labour's policy of putting working families on welfare, but that 40.6 per cent of New Zealanders actually believe that is the way forward. From the results, they honestly believe that poorer people have some sort of 'right' to expect a handout from the government merely because they do not make as much money as those who put effort and hard work into what they do. Perhaps most disturbing about the Labour victory is not Helen Clark as PM (she has actually been quite a good leader, even though I do not agree with the policies she is required to promote as a matter of her Cabinet decisions) but the return of her smarmy, arrogant colleagues, chief of which are Michael Cullen, Steve Maharey and Trevor Mallard; closely followed by the incompetent George Hawkins, the ridiculously naive Taito Philip Field and Ross Robertson (who campaigned for his electorate vote Manukau East in Clevedon) and Dover Samuels.
- Steve Quention

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Take it back to the polls, lets find our true winner.
- Mel

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This election has me realise how important the party vote is. It has also made me realise how much I dislike the MMP system. I would much rather have the Aussie system of voting. It is mad that a party with 5 per cent or less of the vote, will be the ones who call the cards. Voting has merely become a tactical game. How is it that a sitting MP loses their seat but will still get into parliament on the list and not have the responsibility of an electorate? No wonder Rod Donald wanted this system of voting because it suits the Greens. Thank Rod Donald for the limbo NZ finds itself in. If Labour does form a government - watch out for next time. The party vote message will be spelled loud and clear.
- Lesley Opie

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Well thank goodness I got my special vote in! I just hope that all the other 200,000 odd thousand voted National like me to get a new government. Maybe then the qualified kiwis with huge student debt from Labour might consider returning. God help New Zealand if Helen has another term, that will sign the deal for me. New Zealand to become my second home! Have a Speights for me.
- Anthony

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Have any of the commentators noticed that whether by intention or accident the lucky electorates are those who have two, or in the case of Epsom, three representatives. If you vote for an electorate representative from one party and the opposing party for your party vote you end up with a dollar each way and presumably the representatives will actively compete for your interests while in Parliament.
- Stephen Buckland

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Even though I've watched this election from Australia I'm very surprised the electorate fell for Don Brash because he comes across as just that ... very brash and self righteous! Our PM John Howard bribed this electorate with tax cuts but we've got bugger all else and he's taken to country to war in both Afghanistan and Iraq. At least Helen Clark hasn't done that and by the looks of it won't for which you can be very thankful. Her party's policy of offering tax relief to families is obviously worth voting for on its own but with the added security of remaining nuclear free under a Labour government it makes it a must to keep Ms Clark in power.
- Reg Barlow

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I am pleased Helen Clark and Labour is winning. I hope the special votes fall in Labour's favour. Helen is a pleasant person she treats all races the same she is not a horrible person like Brash, he is nasty and not a leader. He will probably upset a lot of people already struggling to survive, the crime will probably go up because of the depression he will no doubt cause.
- Lyn Harris

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This election really was very close and with those special votes still to be counted you cannot count out on any player. National can still beat Labour but I seriously feel whoever from Labour or National wins the majority of votes deserves to form the government and not by playing with cheap dirty tactics with forming post election coalition just to form the Government. I have major doubts on Winston Peter's promise to back the party with most votes. Let see how it goes, but it certainly was one of the worst elections I have witnessed.
- Anndie

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I'm saddened that Labour wasn't dealt to. In my mind Labour supporters want a free lunch or expect free lunches for others. I think their Working for Families package will destroy initiative and the work ethic in NZ. Robert Muldoon put the farmers on welfare and look what that did. Labour want to put the middle class on welfare and that will be a disaster over the long term. How can we afford 41 per cent of our economy to comprise the state? This to me was the core issue. Labour's policy is seductive to the simple minded and dangerous for my children because of the kind of society this will create. Worse than that, the Labour politicians lie to the electorate. I can't believe things like our unemployment is the lowest in the OECD because the numbers have been shifted to the sickness benefits. Also the way Cullen "found" the extra cash to up the Working for Families threshold. People who believe this are pathetic.Good on you Don, Gerry, John and the boys. Keep going. I don't think Don knows how to lie and that is the type of politician I want to run this country. God save us from another 3 years of sickly white socialism.  I feel better now.
- John Laurent

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Being a uni student, student loans for most of us are very important. Cutting interest to 0 per cent to me is such a bribe. Yes it benefits me and other students, but NZ is about NZ and not only students. I feel sorry for students who voted Labour for such a reason (moreover it isn't fair for those who had paid their interest b4..students should have some responsibility). MAYBE Labour will keep their promise IF they become the next government, but where will they get the money? From more taxes from working people? And giving more welfare assistance should be only for those troubled families, not for capable people who has the strength to work but decide to be lazy and do nothing except expecting the government to feed them. Increase wages, have tax cuts and form a moral valued country is what will make NZ grow. We need a change in government. I hope the 200k special votes will change the government =)
- Matthew

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I think that Helen Clark and Labour missed the point somewhat. I have a problem with welfare handed out to people for having children. I had two children because that's what I could afford, and I've always had a job. I won't get any compensation from Labour under their "brilliant" work for families scheme - nor will most of my friends.The money that I work for however, is then taken by labour in the form of taxes and given to others who don't seem to have they same forethought when it comes to having a family. What sort of New Zealand society is this breeding?
- Anne