9 Nov 2008

Swing away from Labour in North Island seats

9:49 am on 9 November 2008

There have been significant swings away from Labour candidate in several seats.

The Otaki seat - secured in the last election by Labour MP Darren Hughes with the slimmest majority in the country - has been won by National list MP Nathan Guy with a considerably higher majority of 1,422.

The Labour MP in Hamilton West, Martin Gallagher, has lost to National's Tim McIndoe.

The Rotorua seat held by Labour's Steve Chadwick has gone to National's Todd McClay while Labour's Mark Burton has lost Taupo to National's Louise Upston.

However, Wellington Central has been retained by Labour with its candidate Grant Robertson winning the seat, about 1,500 votes ahead of National's Steven Franks.

Labour's Christopher Hipkins won the Rimutaka seat, previously held by Labour MP Paul Swain, who has retired.

Iain Lees-Galloway held Palmerston North for Labour, which was vacated by retiring Labour MP Steve Maharey, who won a 5,500 majority at the last election. Mr Lees-Galloway's margin was reduced to 1,050.

National held Napier, Tukituki, Wairarapa, and Whangarei.