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This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
The fortunes of National’s election could go from bad to worse when the results of the nearly 500,000 special votes are revealed today.
Historically, these votes have favored the left, which could see the National caucus shrink and the Labor caucus grow further.
Election 2020: Special votes could worsen the loss of the National Party
Today’s results will also confirm whether the Maori Party will return to Parliament and whether the Green Party has secured its first electoral victory in more than 20 years.
A red wave swept through the National Party on election night and today’s results will confirm who Judith Collins has gone to.
RNZ
There are still undecided seats in the New Zealand Parliament after our election less than three weeks ago. The results of some 480,000 special ballots will be published later today, roughly 17 percent of the country’s total vote.
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“I have learned over the years, do not worry about things that I cannot control, and it is out of my hands, but the National Party will obviously accept what we receive and we will do it in the best way possible. People would hope of us, “he said.
Dom Thomas / RNZ
Matt King says, “No seat is safe.”
Collins’s approach isn’t likely to calm Matt King’s nerves.
The national MP defeated Labor Willow-Jean Prime in Northland by just 742 votes on election night.
But if special votes turn his seat red, King will be out of Parliament.
“As things have played out in this election, nothing is certain, no seat is safe. So yes, I am hoping and looking forward to a good result,” he said.
Joanne Carroll / Things
National MP Maureen Pugh and National Leader Judith Collins on the Greymouth campaign.
His colleague, Maureen Pugh, also expects a good result.
On election night, she was the last MP to enter the party’s list and she would be the first to leave.
For King, the “red tsunami” that has seen him lose so many colleagues defies logic.
“I said goodbye to the really good deputies on the National side who did a lot of work in their constituencies and were well known, and have been defeated by nameless candidates,” he said.
RNZ
In this episode of The Detail, Emile Donovan talks to Newsroom political editor Sam Sachdeva about why it takes so long to get a final vote count.
Whangārei on the edge of a knife
The closest race is at Whangārei, with National’s Shane Reti ahead of Labor’s Emily Henderson by just over 160 votes.
He will return to Parliament even if he loses the seat, with a safe place on National’s list.
“It will be a challenge. I am very proud to be the winner of the night, but I understand that it is a small margin,” said Reti.
ROBERT KITCHEN / Things
Shane Reti of National.
Henderson said they have spent several weeks waiting to see if he will join the largest caucus in Labor Party history.
“It’s an out-of-body experience. It’s been surreal to think that we’ve gotten so close in Whangārei. Lately, it’s been like a week and a half late with a baby, just wanting a result no matter what,” he said.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will also keep a close eye on the seat.
“I don’t want to make predictions there. Of course, he is not a seat that we necessarily expected to take, but a very strong candidate, so only time will tell,” he said.
Much at stake for the Maori party
Waiariki is another electorate to be reckoned with with only 400 votes separating the candidates.
If Rawiri Waititi can maintain his lead over Labor’s Tamati Coffey, the Maori Party will ensure his return to Parliament.
“I believe that we have sent a strong message to the Maori members of parliament, in those Maori seats that there is an independent, strong and true Maori voice holding them accountable to ensure that they carry out their campaign for our people.” he said.
Te Aniwa Hurihanganui / Mei Heron / RNZ / Supplied
Rawiri Waititi of Party M? Ori and Tamati Coffey of the Labor Party.
Chloe Swarbrick’s success in Auckland Central was one of the upsets on election night.
Despite public polls showing it lagging behind in third place, Swarbrick took the Greens seat by nearly 500 votes.
If today’s results confirm that victory, she will be the first green deputy to win an electorate since 1999.
“There is a good chance that something could happen, but I also think we need to extrapolate based on how things have landed so far,” he said.
Ricky Wilson / Stuff
Cannabis reform advocate Chloe Swarbrick responds to ‘no’ vote.
Hopes for the cannabis vote
The final results of the referendums on recreational cannabis and euthanasia will also be confirmed today.
While the end-of-life election bill passed with a strong margin based on preliminary results, the cannabis referendum failed to cross the line.
But Swarbrick hopes that will change.
“There has to be about 67 percent of the up vote in those specials and I said, of course, you know, it’s an uphill battle. But it is still within the realm of plausibility currently,” he says.
The final results of the elections and the referendums will be announced at 2:00 p.m.
Until then, it will be a nervous wait for the candidates.
RNZ
Chlöe Swarbrick will soon know if she has remained in her seat in Auckland Central now that the special votes have been counted. His success was one of the surprises on election night, winning by just under 500 votes.
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
