2014 Election: Bridges wins Tauranga seat

Simon Bridges has arrived at his intimate gathering on The Strand in Tauranga. PHOTO/AMY MCGILLIVRAY

11.10pm: New Zealand First Tauranga candidate Clayton Mitchell said election night did not come as much of a surprise.

"It's looking pretty clear how it's all going to come out. Congratulations to Simon Bridges for that great campaign that he's run.

"The National supporters are certainly showing on the polls but we're absolutely delighted with what we've got and where we're going."

Labour's Tauranga candidate Rachel Jones will not be heading to Parliament this time around but she is thinking long term.

"Obviously, we've conceded to Simon. Labour's result is disappointing but it seems the mood of the election reflects the mood of the country."

10.30pm: National MP Simon Bridges has thanked his supporters who were gathered at Number One The Strand in his victory speech.

"With 80 per cent of Tauranga votes counted your help has delivered me about 17,500 votes. It's a fantastic privilege to again be the member of parliament for Tauranga for another three years," he said.

"An even more remarkable thing than that is in the party vote with the 80 per cent counted [in Tauranga] we're almost the same in the party vote which is much higher than last time so Tauranga has sent a very clear message that we want John Key prime minister after today."

9.45pm: National Party candidate Simon Bridges is saying his winning speech after claiming the Tauranga seat in the 2014 General Election.

Mr Bridges said he was "thrilled" with the outcome and thanked his supporters for getting him in for a third term.

9.25pm: 41.6 per cent of the vote has been counted and National Party candidate Simon Bridges is still well ahead.

Currently in the top three are:

Simon Bridges, National Party = 16036
Clayton Mitchell, NZ First = 4486
Rachel Jones, Labour Party = 4317

8.20pm: Tauranga's National Party candidate Simon Bridges has joined his party faithful as they settle in for the wait at Number 1 The Strand.

"It's always surprisingly nerve-raking. Elections are always interesting. It's like being in the twilight zone," he said.

The early results were promising but he was not ready to celebrate yet.

"Until you get those really bit centres counted it's very hard to tell."

National's Tauranga electorate vice chair Jennifer Glausiuss and her husband and electorate secretary Peter Glausiuss were taking the chance to dress up and celebrate after months of hard work.

"It's a great occasion. It's a party," Mr Glausiuss said.

Bob Rhinehart, Rachel Jones, Grant Harrison, Annie Byrne and David Tank. PHOTO/SONYA BATESON

8pm: Labour Party candidate Rachel Jones is awaiting the results with family and friends at the Greerton RSA.

Mrs Jones said they were feeling positive and were surprised by how many people were still undecided yesterday.

She believed there was still room for movement.

New Zealand First candidate Clayton Mitchell said he was feeling excited, nervous and anxious.

Mr Mitchell is gathered with friends, family and supporters at Tauranga Club in the Devonport Towers tonight.

"It's looking really good," Mr Mitchell said.

"We've got a great turn out and have supporters, friends and family from around the country here.

"We've got long standing staunch New Zealand First members from Rotorua, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Tauranga.

"Very proud and very excited for the end result."

Joy Mitchell, Joyce Robertson, Fletcher Tabuteau, Clayton Mitchell, Erika Mitchell and Charlie Carson. PHOTO/SONYA BATESON

7.10pm: National Party MP Simon Bridges is in the lead with the first results of the Tauranga electorate released.

Mr Bridges is on 2837 and the National Party is also leading the electorate on 2811 votes.

New Zealand First and the Tauranga candidate Clayton Mitchell are currently in second place, followed by Rachel Jones and the Labour Party.

Mr Bridges has not arrived at his party on The Strand but is expected to arrive after 8pm.

7pm: Voting in the 2014 General Election has now closed.

Votes are being counted around the country and a final count is expected to be announced by midnight tonight.

Bay of Plenty Times reporters are stationed across Tauranga to keep you up to date with the latest action.

Keep an eye on the bayofplentytimes.co.nz for the latest.

TAURANGA:
BRIDGES, Simon - National Party
HESLOP, Nathaniel - Conservative
JONES, Rachel - Labour Party
KANE, Rusty - Independent
LAMARE, Yvette - Independent
McLEAN, Ian - Green Party
MAXWELL, James - United Future
MITCHELL, Clayton - New Zealand First Party
OHIA-GATE, Verna - Maori Party
O'NEILL, Michael - NZ Independent Coalition
PEDERSEN, Stuart - ACT New Zealand

BAY OF PLENTY:
CUNLIFFE, Deborah - Conservative
DOLMAN, Raymond - New Zealand First Party
HORAN, Brendan - NZ Independent Coalition
LIVINGSTON, Tracy - Democrats for Social Credit
MULLER, Todd - National Party
RICKARD, Ben - United Future
WILSON, Clare - Labour Party