Opinion: An election that will go down in history

Images tell a different story of emotions on election night in Rotorua.

Wow. What an election.

Some will be pleased with the results while others will have hoped for a different outcome.

Regardless of your political leaning, I think we can all agree this election will go down as having some of the most interesting twists and turns in New Zealand political history.

On the national stage we saw two leaders step down for the sake of their parties and a political stalwart retire after 33 years amid rumours he would lose his seat.

But arguably the most important plot twist was the rise of a charismatic opposition leader who brought with her a tidal wave of renewed support not just for her party, but for New Zealand politics.

During this election it felt like - for the first time in a long time - people actually cared about what was happening in New Zealand politics and more importantly, wanted to vote.

Locally it was no different.

On Saturday night we saw one MP successfully secure his fourth term, while another lost the seat he held for 12 years.

Rotorua MP Todd McClay won his seat comfortably, with more than 16,000 votes.

In his victory speech he said representing Rotorua in Parliament had been the best job he's ever had and he was eager to get back to work to prove to locals why he deserved their vote.

For many, McClay's win came as no surprise. It was the battle for the Waiariki seat that caught everybody's attention.

Labour's Tamati Coffey was triumphant, ending Te Ururoa Flavell's and the Maori Party's time in Parliament.

In his victory speech, Coffey promised to be the "soldier for our people on the marae, the streets and in Parliament".

Flavell said in an emotional address to his supporters he was sad and felt Maori had lost their voice in Parliament.

Knowing there is no Maori Party in Parliament is a daunting thought for many I'm sure, but only time will tell whether the right decision was made in the Waiariki electorate.

All eyes will now be on Coffey to see if his promises hold true.

For the sake of his people I hope he proves to be their champion in both the community and on the national stage.