National Party's Simon Bridges reclaims Tauranga electorate

Simon Bridges celebrates his win together with wife Natalie, family, friends and supporters at No.1 The Strand. Photo/George Novak

It is back to business for newly re-elected Tauranga MP Simon Bridges who sets off to Wellington today to "help form a new government".

The National Party MP reclaimed the Tauranga electorate on Saturday night with 19,111 votes. The candidate closest behind was Labour's Jan Tinetti on 8841 votes.

Mr Bridges, whose election party was at No.1 The Strand with about 100 confident supporters attending, said he was excited to be representing Tauranga again.

"I'm privileged to be back as a local MP," Mr Bridges said.

"I'm excited as ever about this city. There's still a lot more to do," he said.

"I've got real fire in my belly to help take this city to that next stage."

Mr Bridges said he was up for the challenge and looked forward to going into talks this week to help the National Party form a Government. He was to head to Wellington today.

He said the National Party received the largest percentage of votes in Saturday's election, earning the right to begin talks to form a Government.

"I'm looking forward to playing a part in that."

Under the last National-led Government Mr Bridges was Minister for Economic Development, Minister of Transport, Minister for Communications, Associate Minister of Finance, and Leader of the House. He could not say if changes were imminent.

Mr Bridges said his success came down to the support of many who had helped put out 56,000 brochures, erect hundreds of signs, been door knocking or had scrutineered.

"I just quite simply couldn't do it without them."

For Mr Bridges, the highlight of campaigning was being home with his family - wife Natalie and sons Emlyn, 5, and Harry, 3. Being successful in that campaign, although he was honoured, had its downside.

"One of the, I suppose, bitter things about winning and doing well in an election is that it means that I've got to get back down to Wellington [away from family]."

Mrs Bridges said their children knew the different "teams" in the election and "know daddy's the blue team".

She said supporters had invested many hours to ensure her husband's success, which was "amazing".

"I really feel that everyone has pulled together to try and bring good result in," Mrs Bridges said.

Campaign chairman Andrew von Dadelszen said he was honoured to be part of the successful team.

He was excited about the future under a National-led Government.

As National leader Bill English delivered his speech on Saturday night, Mr Bridges and his supporters watched live television coverage, which attracted cheers and applause intermittently.

Yesterday, Mr Bridges was to meet with Mr English in Auckland "to "discuss our options and how we see things playing out", before returning to Tauranga where he was to put up thank you signs, have dinner with his family and pack for Wellington.