Just after 10pm last night, with about 90 per cent of the votes counted new National MP for Tukituki Lawrence Yule called his win over Labour candidate Anna Lorck.
"I didn't necessarily know I'd be doing this when I came tonight although a lot of people told me I would," he said.
"This is a huge result for us and all of you."
Mr Yule said he thought he would have lost about 1000 votes due to the Havelock North water crisis but knew he still had a lot of support from his years as mayor.
However, he did not expect his results to be so high and was also pleased with the support for his party.
"I'm really excited, for a party to go into a fourth term on the level of National support is pretty unprecedented.
"They stuck with National and I'm thrilled about it."
Although she narrowed the gap significantly on National from the 2014 election, it wasn't quite enough for Ms Lorck, who when all the votes were counted was 2757 behind Mr Yule.
Surrounded by about 50 supporters, friends and family at their election night venue in an empty shop in Heretaunga Street last night, Ms Lorck thanked her team for a hard-fought campaign.
"There's no way I could have done it without each and every one of you - many who have been on this journey since the last election."
There were some tears along with the thank-you's as the team reflected on the months of campaigning with the hope of forcing National to relinquish its nine-year grip on the electorate.
She had not thought about her future in politics, rather she was focused on today and spending time with her family.
"I have told the kids we are going to have a great day enjoying it as a family, and I can't wait to get my horse back and get a good ride in."