Although not a landslide, the National Party created electoral history on November 26, 2011, winning 60 seats in the forthcoming Parliament, improving its position by two seats over the previous election held in 2008.
With total polling at its lowest (less than 74%), the two major parties were at opposite end of extremes – National’s performance, with 60 seats was the best in as many years, while Labour recorded its worst since 1928.
The Greens were undoubtedly the best scorers among minor parties, winning 13 seats, polling 11% of the total votes, improving on its own prediction of 10%.
New Zealand First sprung a surprise, sending eight members to Parliament. It was a remarkable turnaround from oblivion for both Mr Peters and his Party, betraying most opinion polls and countering an unfriendly mainstream media.
Both ACT and United Future would provide National with Confidence and Supply guarantee, with John Banks and Peter Dunne, elected respectively at Epsom and Ohariu. In addition, the Maori Party, with three seats (from five in 2008) is also expected to be a source of formal support.
ACT Leader Dr Don Brash resigned and quit politics, since after his Party failed to gain more than one seat.
The Labour Party slumped, winning just 34 seats (down from 40 in the previous Parliament) or 27% of the votes polled.
It would indeed be frustrating for Labour MPs to sit in opposition benches for another term of three agonising years but it needs to get closer to people and explain its policies better notably the Capital Gains Tax and plans to make New Zealand debt free.
Victor speaks
For more than 1500 officials and supporters who had gathered at the Sky City Convention Centre on election night, it was yet another moment of triumph and repeat of the events of November 8, 2008.
“What a fabulous night to be Leader of the National Party! I said it would be tight and it was; but for another three years, there will be a National-led Government in New Zealand,” he said in his victory speech at Sky City Convention Centre shortly after the results were announced.
Mr Goff quickly conceded defeat but the mood at his Mt Roskill Electorate Office was sombre. “Our time will come again and we will be ready to take New Zealand forward at that time. We are bloodied but not defeated,” he told his supporters.
