Tears as Maori Party wiped from parliament

Te Ururoa Flavell bid a tearful farewell last night as the Māori Party were completely wiped out from parliament in last night's election.

The Labour Party won all Māori seats, with political newcomer and former TV weatherman Tamati Coffey unseating Flavell in a tight race in Waiariki.

Without the Waiariki seat, and with only 1.1 per cent of the party vote, the Māori Party fell well below the 5 per cent threshold for keeping any list MPs.

Māori Party co-leader Marama Fox failed to secure Ikaroa-Rāwhiti against Labour's Meka Whaitiri.

Te Ururoa Flavell bid a tearful farewell. Photo / Alan Gibson

Flavell all but conceded to Coffey in an emotional speech to his supporters where he told the crowd "I'm coming home".

Through tears Flavell told the equally emotional supporters, some who were holding their heads in their hands crying, that he was sad and felt Māori had now lost their voice in Parliament.

"Tomorrow when you wake up there are likely to be seven seats back in the hands of Labour who are likely to be in opposition. So don't tangi back to me."

"I feel heavy at heart but the people have spoken, even in Waiariki they have spoken and I can't get away from that."