Election 2020: Blue for Taupo, convincing win for Louise Upston

Louise Upston was returned as the National party MP for Taupo. Photo / Supplied

Louise Upston has won the Taupō electorate with a majority of 5254 votes ahead of Labour candidate Ala' Al-Bustanji.

In the 2017 election Upston won the Taupō seat with a 14,335 majority and she said it was very clear voters had swung to the Labour party, and this was reflected in both the
party vote and candidate vote.

Of the 37,772 votes counted on Saturday for the Taupō electorate, this election National lost the majority of the party vote with just 33.8 per cent, after getting 53.9 per cent in 2017.

"In this election, a 5254 majority is convincing," Upston said.

She said her team had worked incredibly hard for her constituents over the past three years and especially during Covid-19 lockdown. The fifth-term Member of Parliament and senior member of the National party said National had fantastic policies but felt the pre-election debate failed to scrutinise party policies.

"I am proud of the work done on National party policies and it has not been wasted."

As Social Investment spokeswoman for National, Upston was particularly disappointed the party's First 1000 Days policy was not discussed.

Announced in early September, the policy addressed intergenerational change needed to reduce issues such as child abuse and child poverty.

"In the past three years, under the Labour Government, child poverty actually got worse."

She said the economy was always a big issue for an election and believed the Labour party had over-extended themselves with their promises on job creation.

"They have made a big commitment. It will be our job to hold them to account."

She said a National-led opposition would fight hard to ensure sensible spending and investment into projects that mattered and made a real difference.

"These are projects that focus on our families and our children, on better infrastructure, modern school buildings, and the prosperity of small businesses and their employees."

Upston said she never took a vote for granted and thanked the Taupō communities in her electorate for her re-election.

"I am grateful for the faith and confidence you have shown in electing me for another term as your MP.

"I've been blown away by the strong show of support and we had over 100 volunteers working on our local campaign.

"I also couldn't do what I do without the incredible support from my family and they have gone out of their way to make things a little easier for me during what was a gruelling campaign schedule."

Thanking her electorate team, Upston said her staff were instrumental in her re-election and said they went above and beyond during the Covid-19 lock down period helping people in the community.

She said National ran a dedicated campaign that offered solid policy options to ensure a strong economy and thriving businesses and communities to weather the challenging times ahead.

Paying tribute to the National party leader, Upston said she was enormously proud of Judith Collins' efforts.

"Every day she got out there and did our party proud."

"Judith Collins, from the day she stepped in as leader, has done an amazing job leading
our team. While on the day, Kiwis chose to go with Labour instead, I will continue to work hard and deliver for our local communities, representing your interests in Parliament when the going gets tough."

Upston said she was looking forward to continuing her hard work in service of the people of the Taupo electorate.