In the final analysis, Gerry Brownlee made no race of his central Christchurch electorate of Ilam.
Mr Brownlee, National's fourth-highest ranked minister, has held the electorate since 1996, but was expected to face a tough challege from independent candidate Raf Manji.
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With all votes counted, the 61-year-old had 14,207 votes to Mr Manji's 7254, with Labour's Anthony Rimell further back on 6157.
Mr Brownlee is a former Minister of Transport and Defence, and was Minister supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration, following the devastating earthquakes, until May 2017.
