Prime Minister John Key on Election Night. Photo / Greg Bowker
It's 4pm and that concludes our live coverage post-election updates for the day. To recap the top stories:
- A colourful crop of new MPs are heading to parliament this time around, including a former garden show host and a musical weatherman.
- Labour's Brendon Burns and National's
Nicky Wagner are tied with 10,493 votes each after the initial count in Christchurch, after a substantial swing to the right that ate into Mr Burns' 2008 majority of 935 votes.
- Prime Minister John Key has met with United Future's Peter Dunne, Act's John Banks and the Maori Party today to discuss government formation plans.
Enjoy the rest of your night.
3:54pm: 3News reports new research supports the claim by ACT that its low party vote came after opinion polls wrote them off.
3:45pm: The Otago Daily Times reports "Dunedin South MP Clare Curran is back for a second term in Parliament, but says she will study the numbers after seeing her majority slashed and party vote usurped by National in the traditional Labour stronghold."
"Saturday's election results saw Ms Curran's majority nearly halved to 3867, with 15,759 votes compared with National rival Joanne Hayes' 11,892, well down on her 6449-vote majority in the 2008 election."
3:38pm: 3 News reports Political Editor Duncan Garner asked Mr Banks and Mr Key whether they were going to enjoy another cup of tea together.
"A coffee today actually," replied Mr Key.
Mr Banks said he was looking for a "constructive conversation around a Prime Minister that I support".
3:30pm: 3News contributer Nandor Tanczos has posted his opinion on the election.
In regards to John Banks, he writes "It must have revolted National to depend on him after his weirdly camp cavortings during the campaign, a kind of Derek Zoolander crossed with Fifi the psychotic poodle, but surely no more than it revolted any of the liberals left in the ACT Party."
3:12pm: TVNZ's Jessica Mutch tweets
@MutchJessica
"John Key meets with the Maori Party to talk about coalition." #votenz. With pic.
3:10pm: In a Green Party press release: "Maori communities' support for the Green Party has more than doubled between the 2008 and 2011 general elections.
"Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said the surge in votes for the Greens from Maori was heartening."
"Each of the seven Maori electorates has rewarded us with a significant increase in votes. It shows our vision for Aotearoa is in line with the wants and needs of tangata whenua," she said.
3:05pm: Felix Marwick tweets
@felixmarwick
"Banks has had his meeting with the PM - no details yet on policy concessions being sought, nor portfolio sought."
3:00pm: Phil Goff posted this message on his Facebook page "Enjoying a fabulously sunny day at home with my family. Thanks so much to everyone who has been in touch. It wasn't our time but I'd like to say thank you to all those who worked so tirelessly on the campaign. I'm grateful for your hard work and dedication to Labour."
2:54pm: Listener live blogger Toby Manhire has posted a summary of the latest blogs here. Check it out.
2:51pm: 3News editor James Murray tweets
@3NewsEditor
"Key to Banks after Banks jokingly suggests he should be Finance Minister - "we won't shake on that one"#Votenz #badoom-tish
2:47pm: The Dominion Post's John Hartevelt writes how "personable Key" proved the immovable barrier for the Labour Party this election.
"Labour tried it all. They understood their own weaknesses and they attacked National's soft spots."
"They finally banished the leadership question, drew a line under the Darren Hughes affair and set out a plan to win the unwinnable election. "
But "Key was the immovable object of this election campaign and National's result belongs almost entirely to him."
2:41pm: TVNZ's Jessica Mutch tweets
@MutchJessica
"John Key and John Banks have met to talk about coalition. They drank coffee." #votenz. With a pic.
2:40pm: Labour's Annette King tweets
@annetterongotai
"Thank you to the wonderful people of Rongotai who supported me so strongly to be their MP. I will continue to work hard on your behalf."
2:37pm: Radio Live asks what's the point of having the ACT party. One commenter replied
By kane
"A vote for act has always been a vote for National... Their just the old guards who just dont want to leave politics just yet..."
2:35pm: Radio NZ reports Labour says its party vote among Maori picked up significantly, because many felt let down by the Maori Party.
"Senior Labour MP Shane Jones, says Maori are disenchanted with the direction of the Maori Party, and its close association with the National Party."
"He believes the Maori Party is destined to lose further support."
2:30pm: Felix Marwick of Newstalk ZB reports New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters has urged The Maori Party to hold the line and block National's partial float plans for state owned assets.
2:25pm: NZ Herald reports "a singing TV weatherman-turned-entertainer and a former mayor famous for urinating on a tree are among a colourful crop of new MPs set to enter parliament."
2:21pm: Newstalk ZB's Katie Bradford-Crozier tweets
@katieabradford
"Banks and Key are having coffee rather than tea today. Banks coy on what ministerial post he's hoping for."
2:12pm: Felix Marwick tweets
@felixmarwick
"Peter Dunne not giving details on policy concessions he's seeking in confidence and supply deal with National."
2:09pm: Derek Cheng tweets from Parliament.
@dchengnzh
"John Banks: "I don't think I need to be Minister of Corrections."
2:06pm: According to a BusinessDesk press release, John Key has said Genesis and Mighty River Power will be the first assets on the block for partial sale.
"The government wants to raise as much as $7 billion by selling down minority stakes in electricity retailers Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power, coal miner Solid Energy and airline Air New Zealand, and Key has said the funds raised will be used to pay for new infrastructure projects."
2:04pm: Katie Bradford-Crozier of Newstalk ZB writes the series of meetings on the Beehive's ninth floor have started, with United Future Peter Dunne getting the first sit down with the re-elected Prime Minister.
Mr Dunne, ACT's John Banks and the Maori Party will all sit down with John Key this afternoon to nut out post-election deals.
2:02pm: According to Radio NZ, the National Party has retained most of its rural vote, winning all its rural electorate seats except for West-Coast Tasman.
2:00pm: Radio NZ reports the Labour Party hopes special votes will tip the marginal west Auckland seat of Waitakere into its hands.
1:56pm: Derek Cheng tweets
@dchengnzh
"@PeterDunneMP emerges. Says nothing has been signed, negotiations will continue. Confident he'll have policy gains. no comment on details."
1:53pm:TVNZ's Jessica Mutch tweets
@MutchJessica
"Media waiting for photo op with John Key and Peter Dunne for coalition talks." #votenz. With pic.
@MutchJessica
"John Key has met with Peter Dunne to talk coalitions. Act next and then Maori Party." #votenz
1:47pm: NZ Herald's Isaac Davison writes New National MP and former garden show host Maggie Barry has made a sly dig at competitor and NZ First candidate Andrew Williams, saying she would plant lemon trees around parliament for his benefit. This comes after claims Mr Williams peed on a lemon tree after partying one night.
She also pointed out that he is not representing North Shore because he only got 828 votes, despite the fact he gets into parliament with NZ First anyway.
1:43pm: Eileen Goodwin for the Otago Daily Times writes "Winning Te Tai Tonga was a "bright spot'' for Labour on a disappointing night, says its new MP, Rino Tirikatene."
"In an important victory for Labour, Mr Tirikatene (39) wrestled the seat from the Maori Party's Rahui Katene by 1445 votes."
1:37pm: NZ Herald's Paul Harper writes the Christchurch Central electorate will have wait until December 10 to find out who their MP will be.
1:30pm: Elspeth McLean of the Otago Daily Times writes Labour Dunedin South MP Clare Curran has to do something "quite significant'' this term if she is to stand again, says University of Otago political lecturer and commentator Dr Bryce Edwards.
Ms Curran has dismissed his comments and suggested the primary reason Labour's vote was down in the electorate was because nearly 5000 people did not vote.
1:20pm: 3News reports the Maori Party may need to do a little "soul searching".
"After a significant defeat in both electorate and party votes, the Maori Party is now looking for ways to revive its support and leadership. Tariana Turia knew it was going to be a difficult night as soon as she arrived at the Maori Party gathering."
"Her party was dealt a heavy blow, with Rahui Katene losing her Te Tai Tonga seat and the party vote slipping."
1:18pm: Felix Marwick tweets
@felixmarwick
"Banks has arrived for talks with the PM. About an hour earlier than expected."
1:16pm: Derek Cheng tweets
@dchengnzh
"John Banks arrives at the beehive early for his 2pm meeting."
1:12pm: University of Otago politics lecturer Bryce Edwards has posted "Post-election images from the 2011 New Zealand General Election" on his website Liberation. These will be continuously updated by Mr Edwards throughout the day.
1:08pm: NZ Herald's Derek Cheng tweets
@dchengnzh
"@PeterDunneMP just went up to the 9th floor for his meeting with John Key. Pre-meeting comment: "There's nothing I can say."
1:00pm: Winston Peters will be on Radio Live with Wille and JT today after 1pm.
12:25pm: On Radio NZ: The chair of Ngai Tahu says a consortium of tribes would be interested in buying up to 20% of the four state-owned power companies the National-led Government plans to partially sell.
12:23pm: On Radio NZ: ACT is now looking at restructuring the party, a process that could include a name change.
"With just one MP in Parliament and a collapse in its party vote, ACT president Chris Simmons says it is time for a hard look at the party."
"However, he says they will not rush the process of appointing a new leader and it won't automatically be its sole MP, John Banks."
12:21pm: Radio NZ reports Prime Minister John Key has signalled he is prepared to give the ACT, United Future and Maori parties ministerial positions in return for their support for a National-led Government.
12:20pm: There's hope a greater Green Party presence in parliament will advance environment protection agendas, write Sophie Lowery, Anna Cross and Sam Thompson of Newstalk ZB.
12:17pm: Newstalk ZB reports the Prime Minister says Labour's in trouble.
Compulsory retirement savings, a capital gains tax, and raising the retirement age all failed to entice the public on election day, with the party getting just 27 percent support.
John Key says National's been there before in 2002 falling lower than Labour has this time around.
He says because everything works proportionately in Parliament, the reduced numbers mean the party will have fewer resources, fewer questions, and less money for the leader's office.
12:14pm: 3News reports "Labour leader Phil Goff will officially stand down tomorrow at Labour's first caucus meeting since Saturday's defeat - their worst since the 1993 election".
"3 News political editor Duncan Garner has been told by a Labour Party insider that Mr Goff will relinquish his leadership position tomorrow and open up the floor for replacements."
12:10pm: Citizen Bomber Martyn Bradbury tweets
@CitizenBomber
"Umm, if the specials lean Green and Labour won't that drag the National vote down making the Maori Party the kingmakers..."
12:05pm: Radio NZ reports the Christchurch quake is being blamed for the potential loss of Christchurch as a traditional Labour strong hold.
Labour says the Christchurch earthquakes pushed some of its voters out of the city, while National says its strong showing is a vote of confidence in the Government's leadership during the recovery.
12:02pm: Stevan Eldrig-Grigg posted a column on Scoop asking why there was such a low turn out to vote.
"New Zealand in the past has prided itself on the fact that three out of four registered electors go to the polling booths on election day. This year, one out of three stayed away from the booths. Not since the late 19th century has the turnout been so lacklustre."
12:00pm: James Ihaka of the New Zealand Herald writes returning Hamilton West MP Tim Macindoe celebrated his win yesterday by delivering the gospel at church.
Mr Macindoe, who is also an Anglican minister, spoke to the congregation at Holy Trinity Church at the 8am service, after polling 15,102 votes - well ahead of his nearest rival, Labour list MP Sue Moroney.
He became just the second National MP to hold his seat for consecutive terms in Hamilton West since Mike Minogue was re-elected in the Muldoon-led 1981 National government.
11:52am: The Standard blogger Eddie writes: "The Greens can be very proud of their achievement this election. With 13, probably to become 14, seats, they have achieved the second-best ever result for a minor party under MMP."
"They have succeeded in becoming credible to mainstream New Zealand and, in doing so, brought the new economics we need to the fore."
11:48am: Radio NZ reports "Despite registering the party's worst election result under MMP, Labour increased its share of the party and electorate votes in the South Auckland seats of Mangere, Manukau East and Manurewa."
11:45am: National's Jami-Lee Ross tweets some good news.
@jamileeross
"Got some good news to share - even better than being re-elected. Lucy and I are expecting our first child in May. We are very excited!"
11:41am: Whaleoil blogger Cameron Slater has compared the votes each potential Labour leader candidate received on Saturday. Check it out here.
11:37am: NZ Herald's Lincoln Tan writes Labour's only Chinese MP, Raymond Huo, could be out of Parliament if the party wins the Christchurch Central seat.
The Labour and National candidates there are tied on 10,493 votes, and the final winner will not be known for two weeks after about 3000 special votes are counted.
11:35am: The Dominion Post reports Green Co-leaders Metiria Turei and Russel Norman said yesterday there were no plans for a confidence and supply agreement with National.
Mr Key had yet to contact either of the leaders, although that was expected before the week was out.
11:28am: Michael Dickison of the New Zealand Herald writes the Auckland Central electorate came down to 535 votes as National's Nikki Kaye defended her seat against Labour list MP Jacinda Ardern.
A third candidate in the electorate, the Green Party's Denise Roche, also made it into Parliament as a list MP.
11:26am: Felix Marwick tweets
@felixmarwick
PM and deputy PM at 1st post election cabinet meeting twitpic.com/7ktjqk
11:24am: Felix Marwick tweets
@felixmarwick
"1st post election cabinet meeting." With pic.
11:22am: NZ Herald political reporter Derek Cheng tweets
@dchengnzh
"Cabinet meets. Spot the colourful ones." With pic.
@dchengnzh Derek Cheng
"And the less colourful." #cabinet. With pic.
11:20am: Newstalk ZB's political editor Barry Soper writes "The now infamous cuppa between the two Johns in the Newmarket cafe a couple of weeks ago changed the outcome of the poll that really counted on Saturday night."
11:16am: APNZ writes "Champagne-swilling Young Nats partied into the small hours in celebration of National's election result.
"Hundreds of right-wing supporters cheered John Key at the National election party at the SkyCity Convention Centre."
11:13am: NZ Herald's Yvonne Tahana writes "Despite a battering at the polls, Maori Party leaders will today (Monday) push John Key for more than "short-term gains'' as the party seeks to solidify its position in the National-led Government."
11:11am: Radio NZ reports: "Six new Green MPs will be at the party's first caucus meeting at Parliament after the election."
The Greens won 10.6% of the party vote which has given them 13 seats in Parliament.
11:06am: The match-making process has begun for National, writes NZ Herald's political commentator John Armstrong. "One o'clock, United Future; two o'clock, Act; three o'clock, the Maori Party ... it is politics' version of speed-dating."
10:53am: Scoop columnist Gordon Campbell has blogged on the election outcome.
"Well, at least the election has pinpointed the site of Labour's Last Stand - on Saturday night, south Auckland was almost the only place in the country where Labour grew its party vote. Elsewhere, and in former Labour strongholds like West Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch, even Labour's successful electoral candidates still saw the party vote go to National."
10:45am: Radio NZ reports the next generation of New Zealand First MPs say they'll bring a common sense approach to politics and support good policy on either side of the House.
10:43am: Felix Marwick tweets
@felixmarwick
PM to meet with cabinet shortly ahead of confidence and supply talks this afternoon
10:36am: John Key's victory speech is available of the Herald online website, check it out.
10:33am: NZ Herald reports John Key has picked David Cunliffe as Phil Goff's potential successor.
Mr Key told Newstalk ZB he believed David Cunliffe would be selected ahead of his potential rivals, although he was "not very liked by his caucus".
10:30am: NZ Herald's Claire Trevett tweets
@CTrevettNZH
"The person with most to fear from Winston's return: Lockwood Smith. What delights await."
10:23am: National should tread carefully when it comes to asset sales, writes NZ Herald columnist Tapu Misa.
10:20am: David Farrar is doing a series of posts in his blogging site Kiwiblog on each party, looking at what happened, how they did, and their challenges ahead.
The first post is on National.
10:07am: NZ Herald business commentator Fran O'Sullivan writes the global crisis will test John Key's ability to lead the country back to surplus.
"The real test will come if the slowing international economy impacts on jobs and tax revenues. There is the potential for international asset prices to decline across the board."
10:05am: If you want to know how many votes candidates in your area got, check out our Electorate Map.
10:01am: The five ministerial BMWs used by John Key and the government will be auctioned at Turner's Auctions.
According to a press release "Turners expect the Prime Minister's BMW to fetch between $62,000 and $68,000 at auction."
9:57am: Newstalk ZB reports Labour's caucus will discuss it's disastrous result tomorrow, along with what to do about its leadership.
Compulsory retirement savings, a capital gains tax, and raising the retirement age all failed to entice the public on election day, with the party getting just 27 percent support.
Phil Goff says he'll serve a full term as MP, which means there'll be no by-election in Mount Roskill but future as party leader is doubtful.
9:49am: Mana Party leader Hone Harawira may be looking at "a lonely three years in parliament" according to 3News.
Most of the parliament members have ruled out working with Harawira, says Auckland University's Maori Affairs academic Dr Paul Moon, so this means his role may be ineffectual.
9:45am: NZ Herald political commentator John Armstrong writes there are six reasons National won the election. These reasons include stability, the economy and John Key's immense popularity.
9:33am: Winston Peters has told TVNZ that he will never forget this election because his party was "marginalised, stigmatised and even demonised".
Peters has warned of "serious storm clouds on the economic horizon". New Zealanders need to know you cannot have your cake and sell it too, he told TVNZ's Q+A.
9:29am: Prime Minister John Key looks set to manage a "record number of MPs" according to TVNZ.
"We've currently got 60. We need one further vote to be able to have a majority in the Parliament," National MP Steven Joyce said on TVNZ's Q+A programme yesterday.
9:27am: According to 3News, "Political commentator Chris Trotter says the Labour Party's poor showing at Saturday's election highlights the problems within the party and says he will be 'surprised' to see Labour turn their result around over the next three years."
9:25am: 3News reports the Maori Party will know within a week whether they again want to support the National Party in government.
Co-leaders Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia have both said they prefer being in Government but party members will be consulted before a final decision is made.
9:22am: Newstalk ZB reports former Labour MP Steve Chadwick is "gutted" after losing her parliamentary seat of twelve years.
9:20am: Katie Bradford-Crozier of Newstalk ZB reports "There'll be some fresh faces in Cabinet and a re-jig for some of those already holding ministerial posts."
"The Prime Minister says he hasn't had time to sit down and think about who'll get what, but a decision is likely to be made early this week."
9:17am: NZ Herald's Simon Collins writes "The once-red "people's republic of Christchurch" has become the bluest of all the country's five main cities after a spectacular leap in support for the National Party following the city's devastating earthquakes."
9:12am: NZ Herald's political editor Audrey Young writes "John Key is looking at a big Cabinet reshuffle in his own ranks as well as accommodating prospective support partners Act, United Future and the Maori Party with ministerial roles."
"Hekia Parata is the frontrunner to be the next Education Minister, the Herald understands."
"The present minister, Anne Tolley, is in line to pick up Police from Judith Collins."
And Judith Collins is likely to pick up Justice and Commerce from retiring MP Simon Power.
9:06am: NZ Herald's Jamie Morton writes few could have suspected a former TVNZ weatherman Brendan Horan would make his rise in the polls and become a New Zealand First MP.
9:04am: Public Address contributor David Slack tweets
@DavidSlack
"Banks as Minister of Corrections could be controversial. I heard he tolerates the split infinitive."
9:03am: Citizen Bomber Martyn Bradbury tweets
@CitizenBomber
"John Banks as Corrections Minister??? I feel like I've woken up at a KKK rally wearing a Lady GaGa t-shirt - what happened to liberal NZ?"
8:56am: NZ Herald deputy political editor Claire Trevett writes "Labour's leadership team of Phil Goff and Annette King are expected to announce when they will stand down at a caucus meeting tomorrow."
8:54am: Radio NZ reports "the first round of talks on the final shape of the next government take place at Parliament on Monday afternoon when Mr Key meets the United Future, ACT and Maori parties."
"ACT and United Future have already said they will support National, giving it the numbers it needs in Parliament."
8:52am: What does our 50th parliament look like? Check out our parliament graphic here.
8:50am: Contenders for the Labour leadership are lining up. Radio NZ reports Phil Goff is expected to step down as leader of the Labour Party. David Cunliffe and David Parker are seen as possible contenders to replace him.
8:47am: Radio NZ reports Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia is disappointed her party lost the Te Tai Tonga seat to Labour, a seat the Maori Party have held for years.
8:45am: National's new North Shore MP Maggie Barry has been on Radio NZ this morning. She said she is pleased to be elected and she "just wants to do her part."
8:40am: Newstalk ZB's Juliette Sivertsen writes Dr Don Brash could have been the reason for the Act Party's low number of votes because he was the face of the Act campaign.
Auckland University political marketing expert Jennifer Lees-Marshment said "It means the ACT brand is further diluted away from the Rodney Hide days, where they tried to be more centrist and more liberal and more innovative."
Dr Brash formerly resigned last night.
8:36am: The Green Party are weighing their options after their best-ever result in the election. NZ Herald's Adam Bennett writes, although pleased with the result, the Greens were disappointed by Labour's loss.
8:32am: NZ Herald's Christchurch-based reporter Jarrod Booker writes the "dead heat" between Labour's Brendon Burns and National's Nicky Wagner in the Christchurch Central electorate has left both candidates sweating on the result of special votes, with both saying they might end up seeking a recount.
8:30am: NZ Herald's political editorAudrey Young writes "Prime Minister John Key yesterday totally rejected any suggestion that the National Party lacks a mandate to partially sell off state-owned assets."
8:29am: Felix Marwick tweets
@felixmarwick
"this week - wait for a gov't + observe Labour's leadership machinations (and expect to be needled by WP)."
8:24am: The return of Winston Peters has been dubbed a "protest vote" by Prime Minister John Key. Newstalk ZB's Felix Marwick and Anna Cross report "Mr Key believes Winston Peters' gain came from Labour voters who didn't want to vote Labour, but didn't want National either because of the asset sales."
8:20am: Mana's Kris Faafoi tweets his thanks.
@KrisinMana
"One last signwaving session in Mana for this year." With pic.
8:17am: Radio NZ has posted a wrap up of the election on their site.
8:15am: NZ Herald's Simon Collins writes at least 1 million people didn't bother to vote in the election. It is thought to be the lowest turn out in 120 years.
8:13am: Mana candidate Sue Bradford tweets
@suebr
"In some ways, biggest election story has been the huge non vote - lot of work for the left to do on this in times ahead."
8:01am: NZ Herald's political editor Audrey Young writes Prime Minister John Key will be meeting Act, United Future and the Maori Party today to hammer out support deals and he is expected to discuss giving Act MP John Banks the Corrections' portfolio.
It's 8am and we are back with updates of post-election wheeling and dealing.
Former Act president's lawyer claims sentence was too harsh, calls for home detention.