Election Results: The Dance of Defeat as Shane Jones Dances the Night

Despite being defeated, New Zealand’s first MP, Shane Jones, has danced into the night at Russell.

At the Duke of Marlborough, Jones spoke to the small and largely deflated group of supporters.

Jones, like New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, is in his hometown of Tai Tokerau.

A video shows Jones as one of the many on the dance floor dancing the night away.

Although his movements are nothing to stop the show, he and others seem to be enjoying the music.

Jones said tonight’s results would be the “fruits of democracy,” however the night ended for the party. But he added that it should be said that he and NZ First had delivered on their promise to the country’s regions, injecting investments into long-forgotten areas.

“No one will ever say of the last three years that NZ First and Shane Jones, for the north and the provinces, did not deliver.

“Sadly, Northland has been neglected for a long period of time.”

With New Zealand first out of Parliament, Peters may have fought in his last election campaign.

Peters conceded in a short speech to the party faithful in Russell.

He thanked the voters, volunteers and staff of NZ First in New Zealand.

“We pledged three years ago to be a constructive partner with the government,” he said.