Joseph Mooney is now a first term MP after winning the Southland seat.

The win ensures he will represent the Teviot Valley, Alexandra and Clyde as well as the rest of his electorate in Parliament. Joseph is one of only 26 Electorate MPs to have won a seat in parliament for National in an election which saw many MPs with many years’ in parliament lose their seats, including the Deputy Leader, Gerry Brownlee, who has been the MP for Ilam since 1996.

New Southland MP, Joseph Mooney Photo supplied

Joseph got 17,817 votes over Labour’s Jon Mitchell with 12,741 votes.

Jacqui Dean, MP for Waitaki, was also successful, hanging on to her Waitaki Electorate – but with a much slimmer margin than previous years.

"I feel humbled to be re-elected as the MP for Waitaki - it was a closer result than in previous elections, but I have never taken this seat for granted,” said Jacqui.

Jacqui beat Labour’s Liam Wairepo 17,615 to 14,470 votes.

National’s campaign had been marred by last minute leader changes and internal strife.

"This has been a long and dis-jointed campaign, but I have enjoyed every minute that I've been able to spend out and about around all parts of what is the third largest electorate in New Zealand,” Jacqui said.

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean Photo supplied

"My focus now is on making sure that this part of the country is not ignored in the difficult months and years ahead. This is a strong region that can play an important role in the economic recovery that we as a country, desperately need to take place.

"I've said many times that I want to be judged on my actions rather than promises and that still holds true. I will continue to be a strong and proud advocate in Parliament for the people, businesses and communities of the Waitaki electorate."

In an historic election result, Labour won 64 seats, giving the party the ability to govern alone. No other single party has achieved a majority since MMP was introduced in 1996 after a referendum in 1993 saw the country’s voting system changed.

For full election results, click here.

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