Whaitiri says grass roots campaign made win possible

Labour's Meka Whaitiri, who retained her Ikaroa-Rawhiti by soundly beating the Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox last night, said it was a grass roots campaign that propelled her to victory,

The announcement was made just before 10.30pm last night after more than 100 whanau and friends spent several hours sharing food, drinks and memories at the Clive Hotel.

More than 10,200 people belonging to the Maori electorate voted for Ms Whaitiri, while Ms Fox sat well behind at just 6,436 votes.

Green Party's Dr Elizabeth Kerekere got 1,539 votes.

The Labour Party won all Maori seats this election, with political newcomer and former TV weatherman Tamati Coffey unseating Maori Party leader Te Ururoa Flavell in a tight race in Waiariki.

The results mean the Maori Party, who tallied little more than one per cent of the party votes, are now wiped from Parliament.

Last night Ms Whaitiri thanked those who fuelled her campaign this year, volunteers spanning the length of the East Coast from Gisborne to Lower Hutt.

"This is a grass roots campaign and we want to keep it simple on the ground, in the halls, on the streets to take the message out there that change was important for this country."

She was off to a quick lead with well over 1000 more votes than second place by 8pm.

Cheers erupted like clockwork at the pub as polling results, scrolling across screens airing the live results, showed she was ahead time and time again.

Supporter Missy Tarei had travelled with her cousins, Padre Billgray and Kira Broughton, from Tolaga Bay for the party.

"We fully support Meka because she is for the people, of the people and always with the people."

"No matter what position you are in life, she's always there to help you."

A toast was made to Meka's father, who died two years ago, at the end of her speech.

Meka Whaitiri's mother, Mei Whaitiri, said she was incredibly proud of her daughter and only wished her late husband Wirangi Wiremu Whaitiri was still alive to see Meka take out another term.

"She was a different to the rest of my five children. She always came across as a very strong wahine who knew what she wanted.

"Tonight is absolutely brilliant. I only wish her dad was here beside me," she said.