Wairarapa election 2023 results: National’s Mike Butterick set to snatch seat from Labour’s Kieran McAnulty

National's Wairarapa electorate candidate Mike Butterick has taken the seat from Labour's Kieran McAnulty.

The Wairarapa electorate, which includes most of Tararua and Central Hawke’s Bay, has been swept up in National’s blue wave.

Based on preliminary results, National’s Mike Butterick beat Labour MP Kieran McAnulty by a solid margin of 2481 votes with just special votes to be counted.

Wairarapa is a traditional National stronghold and it easily topped the party vote on the night, winning more than 39%.

McAnulty had claimed the seat in 2020 from Butterick after National’s Alastair Scott did not seek re-election. Then, he won by a margin 2872 votes.

McAnulty will remain in Parliament at number 16 on Labour’s list. Former Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, who came in at number 15 on the Green Party List, is now a long-shot for a spot in Parliament.

Based on preliminary results, the Green Party look to have 13 seats pending the outcome of special votes and coalition agreements.

Wade-Brown is one of two former Wellington mayors who have spent the campaign angling for a seat in Parliament.

Andy Foster, Wellington Mayor from 2019 to 2022, also put his hat in the ring as the NZ First candidate for the Mana electorate.

Since joining the Greens in 1992, Wade-Brown has stood in both local and national elections.