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National Rep. Matt King is asking for a judicial recount of the results of the Northland electorate.
National’s Matt King is calling for a court recount after his election night victory was overturned by Labor’s Willow-Jean Prime in special ballots.
Prime held the Northland seat by just 163 votes, the first time the Labor Party has won the seat since it was established in 1996.
King said Things It is worth doing a recount just to be sure of the results, but he denied that he is following in the footsteps of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, who claims, without proof, that he was deceived in the American elections.
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.
“It is unlikely to be overturned, but I owe it to the people of Northlan to be sure,” King said.
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“I’m not saying for a second that it’s doubtful.”
King believed his loss of the Northland seat was part of the “red wave” sweeping the country in what was a Covid-19 dominated election.
Kevin Stent / Stuff
Labor Willow-Jean Prime, who was already secured as an MP on the list, has taken the Northland seat. (File photo)
Family court attorney Dr. Emily Henderson also removed Whangārei from prominent national MP, Dr. Shane Reti, on special votes, signaling a significant shift in partisan loyalties in the north.
“At the end of the day, we had a series of circumstances that worked well for the incumbent and didn’t work well for us. [National]King said.
“That’s just politics for you.”
But he admitted that National had made some mistakes and said the party was eager to learn from its mistakes with a review.
King isn’t sure what he will do now, other than tend his farm, but said he will “definitely” return to contest the 2023 election.
Robert Kitchin / Things
Dr. Emily Henderson crossed her fingers to enter Parliament; will now represent Whangārei.
Meanwhile, Henderson attributes his victory to Labor’s “brilliant response” during the Covid-19 pandemic and their desire to care for the most vulnerable.
His 431-vote victory in Whangārei marks the first time the Labor Party has won the seat since 1972.
Henderson said Things on Friday afternoon that becoming a deputy was an exciting privilege, but also a bit overwhelming.
But he was clear about why he thought voters were backing Labor: his response during the global pandemic and his desire to care for the most vulnerable.
ROBERT KITCHEN / Things
Dr. Shane Reti has lost Whangārei’s seat, but Dr. Emily Henderson gives him credit for fighting a fair fight. (File photo)
“I think the fundamental Labor spirit or kaupapa is to take care of people, and we have shown that it is something viable, not naive,” Henderson said.
As Whangārei is a relatively poor place, many people agree with the idea of caring for vulnerable people in society, he said.
Henderson said his own local experiences also helped his campaign.
“I know the hopes, dreams and fears of Whangārei; it has been my home since I was 7 years old.”
She credited Reti for running a fair and courteous campaign, and said she looked forward to working with him as he will remain in Parliament through National’s roster.
As a deputy, Henderson said she wants the government to focus on alleviating Whangārei’s social needs.
He will also advocate for five major infrastructure projects, backed by Northland mayors in a campaign called Kia Kaha Northland, which includes an expansion of Northport.
Reti has been contacted for comment.
