Conservative Māori have played an unprecedented part in National’s victory in the country’s general seats - despite three of the new MPs having low rankings on National’s Party List.
Dan Bidois (Northcote), James Meager (Rangitata) and David MacLeod (New Plymouth) were listed at 60, 67 and 69 respectively - but all three beat their Labour opponents to win their seats.
They will be joined by sitting MPs Dr Shane Reti (Whāngarei), Tama Potaka (Hamilton West).
Northcote MP Dan Bidois (Ngāpuhi/Ngāti Maniapoto) has regained the seat he lost to Labour. A bone cancer survivor, Bidois trained as a butcher, then went on to become an economist, here and overseas, graduating with a masters in public policy from Harvard University.
Rangitata MP James Meager (Ngai Tahu) is a solicitor. A former press secretary to Paula Bennett, he was born and raised in Timaru. New Plymouth MP, David MacLeod (Ngāti Mutunga/Ngāti Porou) grew up on a Manaia dairy farm and is a former director of Fonterra, Port of Taranaki and the Parininihi Ki Waitōtara Trust.
On the left, 26 year-old Wellington city councillor , Tamatha Paul (Waikato, Ngāti Awa) won the city’s Wellington Central seat for the Greens.
The first woman elected as president of the Victoria University Students Association, Paul represents an urban, youth vote that has been missing in previous elections.
It was a devastating result for Labour but all was not lost - Manurewa MP, Arena Williams (Ngai Tūhoe, Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki), safely retained her seat with an election night majority of some 5,000. With special still to be counted, Kelvin Davis holds a 487 majority in Te Tai Tokerau and Peeni Henare has a near 500 vote lead in Tāmaki Makaurau. Newcomer Cushla Tangaere-Manuel regained Ikaroa-Rāwhiti for Labour with 2,800 more votes than incumbent Meka Whaitiri.
And it was no surprise that Act leader David Seymour (Ngāpuhi) will continue to represent Epsom.
Across the political spectrum, there are a number of Māori who will enter Parliament via the party list.
They are:
Labour - Willie Jackson, Willow-Jean Prime, Adrian Rurawhe, Jo Luxton, Rino Tirikatene. Shanan Halbert is on the cusp, depending on Special Votes.
Greens - Marama Davidson, Teanau Tuiono, Hūhana Lyndon, Darlene Tana. Kahurangi Carter can enter if the Greens gain an extra seat via Special Votes.
Act - Nicole McKee and Karen Chhour;
NZ First: Winston Peters, Shane Jones, Casey Costello, Jenny Marcroft.