A Labour Minister has had their electorate seat snatched off them by the slimmest of margins after the official election results were released today.
Tāmaki Makaurau has been won by Te Pāti Māori candidate Takutai Tarsh Kemp with a majority of four votes over the Labour candidate Peeni Henare.
It was the closest seat in the country, with Henare looking to keep the seat before the special votes were added on Friday afternoon.
Speaking to media after the final official election results were revealed, Labour leader Chris Hipkins said he has had a brief conversation with Henare.
"I indicated to him if he wants to call for a recount, he will have my full support to do that," Hipkins said.
"He's disappointed. Everyone will understand he's disappointed to see the numbers that gave him a modest margin on the night turnaround on special votes."
"Only four votes in it, so I'd say that one's too close to call at the moment," Hipkins later added.
Peeni holds an impressive portfolio as the Minister for ACC, Minister for Forestry, Minister of Tourism, Minister for Whānau Ora and Minister for Veterans. He is also the Associate Minister for the Environment and Associate Minister of Health (Māori Health).
Meanwhile, National leader Christopher Luxon said his party is looking at a recount in Mt Albert (20 vote difference) and Nelson (29 vote difference).
Three other electorates have switched since the preliminary results.
Labour candidate Rachel Boyack has won Nelson with a majority of 29 votes over the National candidate Blair Cameron.
Labour candidate Phil Twyford has won Te Atatū with a majority of 131 votes over the National candidate Angee Nicholas.
Te Pāti Māori candidate Mariameno Kapa-Kingi has won Te Tai Tokerau with a majority of 517 over the Labour candidate Kelvin Davis.
During his campaign, Davis, who is also the Party's deputy leader, indicated he would quit if he lost his electorate seat, however, Hipkins said he has not indicated to him this is his intention.
Hipkins added no elected Labour MP other than Andrew Little, who resigned last month, has indicated to him that they will not continue but expects that could change.
"There will be plenty of opportunity for people to reflect on that over the next three years and there may well be people who choose to move on," Hipkins said.
