Jacqui Dean holds Waitaki
Waitaki's incumbent, National MP Jacqui Dean has sealed a sixth term with 3168 majority win over her nearest challenger, Labour’s Liam Wairepo.
Dean trailed on at least two occasions during the counting but eventually pulled clear, winning with 17,615 votes to Wairepo’s 14,447.
The significance of the Labour swing is seen in the fact that Dean had retained her seat in 2017 with a massive 12,816 margin.
Dean said it had been a “watershed election”, with the tide turning away from the National Party.
However, she was “delighted” to be re-elected as an MP.
“I’ve been an MP since 2005 and I still pinch myself every day and I think how lucky I am.
“The party will have to take stock, but I am proud to be an MP and will continue to hold the Government to account.”
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