Labour gets an insulting defeat with prominent MPs set to lose
This story was updated on Sunday, October 15, 2023 at 4.45 pm
Venkat Raman
Auckland, October 15, 2023
Christopher Luxon, who led his National Party to an impressive victory in the general election which concluded last night, has promised to fulfil all the promises that he made during his campaign and in speeches around the country.
“We will fix the cost of living crisis, bring down taxes for every New Zealander. We will address the law and order situation and make our communities safer. We will deliver a better health system and provide education to our children. New Zealanders have voted for a change and my government will serve every one of them,” he said at his victory rally held in the Auckland Central Business District soon after outgoing Prime Minister Chris Hipkins called him to concede defeat.
He was accompanied by his wife Amanda, their daughter Olivia and son William. More than 1500 National Party supporters and volunteers had gathered at the venue to cheer their Leader, who is set to become the 42nd Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Indian Newslink co-hosted a six-hour Election coverage with Sky Channel 83 (Face TV) Presenter Monique Bradley in association with Radio Tarana and Indians Living in Auckland Facebook Group from 6 pm to midnight. A panel of experts offered comments and updates throughout the programme with Indian Newslink Reporters in Hamilton and Christchurch, Audience Engagement Expert and Digital Graphic Designer and Face TV Pete Ward.
Parties and Seats in Parliament
Early this Morning, the Electoral Commission announced provisional results indicating that the 54th Parliament would have the following seat configuration:
National: 50 seats (45 Electorate and Five Party Seats); ACT 11 seats (Two Electorate and Nine Party Seats); New Zealand First (Eight Party Seats).
Mr Luxon said that National was in a position to form the next government with ACT as its coalition partner but did not rule out the possibility of inviting New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters, who holds eight seats in the next Parliament. It is understood that he had spoken to Mr Peters and that the latter had ‘promised to extend support if needed.’
While the National-ACT combination would provide the requisite number (61) to form the next government, Mr Luxon may find it worthwhile to include Mr Peters and a few of his MPs in his Cabinet to avoid any future risks. Besides, New Zealand First could be a strategic partner and a checkmate in the event of any roadblocks set by ACT.
Expected defeat for Labour
Labour Party, which had won a stunning, absolute majority (65 seats, later reduced to 62 seats) in the 2020 election, was routed last night. It had managed to win only 17 electorate seats and with an equal number credited through the Party Vote, it would have just 34 seats in the next Parliament. Many stronghold electorates of the Party, especially Mt Roskill and New Lynn in Auckland were seized by National Party candidates Carlos Cheung and Paulo Garcia. However, the final results will be announced after the special votes are counted. Both constituencies have been with Labour since they were established in 1996-1999.
The number of special votes is stated to be about 530,000 which will be counted in the coming days. National’s Campaign Manager Chris Bishop told One News this Morning (October 15) that traditionally the Party ‘loses one or two seats’ when special votes are counted.
Among the prominent winners in the new crop of MPs are Rima Nakhle (Takanini) who defeated sitting Labour MP Dr Anae Neru Leavasa and Greg Fleming (Maungakiekie) who had stood against Ethnic Communities Minister Priyanca Radhakrishnan.
The Green Party improved its performance, winning three electoral seats and gaining 11 Party Seats to claim 14 seats in Parliament.
Among the major wins for the Party were in Auckland Central (incumbent Chole Swarbrick defeating National’s Mahesh Muralidhar), Wellington Central (where Tamatha Paul defeated Ibrahim Omar of Labour) and Rongotai (which was taken by Julie Anne Genter, defeating Labour’s Fleur Fitzsimons.
The results also indicate that there will be no person of Indian origin representing the National Party in the next Parliament. The Party fielded five candidates, one each in Auckland Central, Manurewa, Panmure-Otahuhu Palmerston North and Rongotai but none of them was ranked high enough to make it to Parliament.
Te Pati Maori won four seats in Parliament but of no consequence to the National-Act and possibly New Zealand First Coalition government.
While Mr Luxon would like to form his government as soon as possible, the final results will not be declared until November 3, to allow for the counting of special and overseas votes. Further, the Port Waikato electorate will have a by-election on November 25, 2023, caused by the death of ACT Party candidate Neil Christensen early last week.
The final seat count in Parliament will depend on any of the aforementioned factors.
But a National-led government is certain.
As Mr Luxon said, “You have reached for hope and you have voted for change. We will now get the country back on track.”
