Harete Hipango takes Whanganui for National

Victorious -- National candidate Harete Hipango with husband Dean and daughter Roimata as Saturday night's election event turned into a celebratory party.

Whanganui has a new Member of Parliament.

First-time candidate Harete Hipango retained the seat for the National Party on Saturday night by a comfortable margin.

"It is an utter privilege to represent Whanganui and I will always remember I am a servant of the people of Whanganui," she told a celebratory crowd who had gathered to follow the election at the old Shanton shop on Victoria Avenue.

She acknowledged her predecessor in the role, Chester Borrows, who represented the electorate for 12 years, appreciating she has big shoes to fill.

The result in Whanganui followed the same trajectory as the national scene. What started out as a close battle between National and Labour ended with clear water between the two.

Ms Hipango polled 15,376 votes, gradually pulling away from Labour candidate Steph Lewis on 13,535. Reg Skipworth finished third for New Zealand First with 2333 votes. The result is provisional with special votes still to be counted.

In the party vote, National took 15,474, Labour 12,085, and NZ First 3451.

"I have really enjoyed the campaigning and getting out and meeting people," Ms Hipango said.

"I didn't see it so much as a contest, as a job that needed to be done."

Another National winner on Saturday night was incumbent Rangitikei MP Ian McKelvie, who was pushing past the 16,000-vote mark with more than 90 per cent of the ballot complete.

Never likely to lose the safest of seats, he had more than double the vote of Labour's Heather Warren.