MP vows to boost region's economy

Northland National MP Mike Sabin with his partner Sandra at the Duke of Marlborough Tavern in Russell on Saturday night. Photo / Stephen Western

National MP Mike Sabin has easily held on to the true-blue Northland seat, gaining just under 17,000 of the nearly 32,000 votes cast.

Although his majority remains unassailable - the election night result puts him 8785 votes ahead of his nearest rival, Labour's Willow-Jean Prime - it has fallen since he was first elected in 2011, while National's share of the total vote has increased.

Three years ago Mr Sabin had a majority of more than 11,300, surpassing even his long-standing predecessor John Carter.

Mr Sabin said he was pleased to have been returned with a good mandate and even more pleased that National's progress had been so strongly endorsed. Factors that could have contributed to his reduced majority included a former National Party aspirant deciding to run against him (Focus Party founder Ken Rintoul collected more than 1500 votes), a Labour candidate offering attributes not available in 2011, and controversy over his Kaipara Bill validating illegally struck rates.

"People elect you not just to do the easy stuff," Mr Sabin said, defending the bill.

"I was in a pretty invidious position but I had to do the best in a bad situation."

Mr Sabin said his first-term focus had been the Northland economy's challenges and opportunities.

During the campaign National had committed to a 10-point plan to boost the region's economy; this term he would make sure the plan was carried out. Economic growth would bring everyone greater opportunities, he said. He also planned to focus on the challenges facing rural schools. Many parents were "voting with their feet" and sending their children to distant schools.

"If the economy's going to grow we need well-educated and well-skilled people," he said.

Meanwhile, Labour candidate Willow-Jean Prime said she had been realistic about her prospects given that Northland had long been held by National and she was a first-timer up against an incumbent.

Her aim had been to reduce Mr Sabin's majority and increase Labour's party vote in Northland. Election night figures show Mr Sabin's majority did fall, by more than 2500, but so did Labour's party vote, from 5748 to 5098 (special votes have yet to be added).

Mrs Prime polled 8042 votes, well up on Lynette Stewart's 6826 votes in 2011. Mrs Prime said the return of all but one of the Maori seats had given Labour "something massive" to celebrate.