Joe Kairau of NZ First keen to pursue politics in some form

Although unsuccessful this time round, New Zealand First candidate Joe Kairau, pictured with wife Kay, is not ruling politics out of his future. Photo / Paul Taylor

He appeared out of nowhere a couple of months before the election, but in his first time standing New Zealand First Tukituki candidate Joe Kairau achieved the third highest number of votes (1789) in the electorate.

He said party supporters in Tukituki could take lots of positives from this weekend's results, including that NZ First had gained a major role in the make-up of the next Government.

Tukituki also delivered a party vote 6 per cent higher than the national average for NZ First and a further increase from 2014.

"That's huge and so it's mission accomplished on that front," he said.

"Locally New Zealand First had not run a candidate in Tukituki for 20 years - coming in immediately behind the two major parties speaks well of our electorate campaign."

As a candidate he said what he and his team lacked in time, money and profile they made up for in a positive message that was delivered in a way that people appreciated and responded to.

"Unfortunately there are no consolation prizes in this contest so losing isn't easy to take, but it was always going to be a tough nut to crack."

He said he enjoyed campaigning and got the sense people appreciated his genuine approach and the party message that it would hold the big two parties in check.

"I think that resonated throughout the country."

With the dust settled, he said it was back to work today in his role as an intelligence officer with the Department of Corrections, but he promised this was not the last that people would hear from him.

"I've already been approached to consider running for council if a new mayor is found from within those ranks. I'll take a bit of time to think about that."

He ruled out running for mayor, however, noting that what he had learned about the politics game was that it was important to take baby steps and if you didn't have a profile already there was a pathway to follow.