Thrilled, humbled and saddened: Incumbent and outgoing MPs react to the election results

Saturday night's historic Labour victory saw the Party able to govern alone with a whopping 64 seats in Parliament.

For National, it was a crushing blow - just 26.8 percent of the vote, for 35 seats. 

As the votes rolled in National MPs also lost 15 of their electorates to Labour candidates, crushing the Party's former grip on the regions.

One of the few National MPs able to continue in her electorate was Louise Upston, who said she was "thrilled" to have been re-elected.

"I'm thrilled to continue to serve our communities - Cambridge, Tirau, Putaruru, Tokoroa, Taupō and Turangi - as your MP.  A huge thank you goes to our team of volunteers who helped win us Party Votes for National.  Thanks also to Leader Judith Collins who gave it everything and kept on smiling."

 

Former leader and current MP for Bay of Plenty Todd Muller kept his seat too, saying he was "forever grateful" for the support of the community.

"My focus is to be that strong advocate for our community in Parliament and help Judith and the National team to refocus and rebuild," he said on Facebook.

However another National MP, Chris Bishop, had to concede his seat in the Hutt South to Labours Ginny Andersen.

He said the loss was "tough".

"I've worked hard every day since [his election]  to live up to the faith shown in me. But it hasn't been enough and last night Hutt South returned to Labour with a massive swing. I worked as hard as I possibly could during the campaign to withstand it, but as they say, when the swing is on, it's on. "

Labour lost just one seat - the Māori seat of Waiariki, where Māori Party candidate Rawiri Waititi took over Labour's Tamati Coffey.

Waititi said on Facebook his win was "a win for us all".

"I'm so proud to be part of this formidable team of unapologetic Māori and I'm so proud of the way we have come back together as a whānau to celebrate the Māori way." 

Labour's Jenny Salesa kept her hold on her electorate of Panmure-Otahuhu too, saying she was "truly humbled" by the support shown to her.

 

"Thank you so much to all of our constituents in Panmure-Otahuhu for giving two ticks to Labour at this year's General Elections in Aotearoa, New Zealand. I look forward to continuing to serve Otahuhu, Otara and Papatoetoe."