A jubliant celebration welcomed the newly re-elected Waiariki MP in Rotorua tonight.
Te Ururoa Flavell returned to Waiteti Marae in Ngongotaha from watching the results at his home and was greeted with a haka by more than 250 people.
He was introduced onstage by Rotorua list candidate Eraia Kiel and former party president Pem Bird.
Mr Flavell thanked his family, supporters and his campaign team. The final results for Waiariki had Mr Flavell a clear winner with 7973 votes followed by Labour candidate Rawiri Waititi with 4965 and Mana Movement candidate Annette Sykes with 4482. New Zealand Independent Party candidate Pat Spellman received 265 votes.
"This campaign has been like no other, it's by far the hardest and that's why the victory is the sweetest," he said