Pollster David Farrar told media this was the biggest swing since the emergence of the two-party system in 1938, serving as an indication of just how significant this turnaround was. Key Labour candidates lost electorate seats in defeats that no one saw coming.
Michael Wood lost Mount Roskill, and Phil Twyford Te Atatu, while Labour also lost Napier and the East Coast. At one stage, it looked like National might be able to claim Mount Albert, a seat that has been a Labour stronghold since 1946. Labour currently holds that seat by the thinnest of margins at 100 votes.
The Greens also claimed a few trophies from Labour, most significantly winning Wellington Central.
The losses have led to questions about the future of Chris Hipkins as the Labour leader, with some suggesting he will step down in the coming weeks.
NZ Herald
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