The polls have closed and preliminary results have signalled Wairarapa has also been swept up in National’s blue wave.

Based on preliminary results, National’s Mike Butterick was edging out Labour MP Kieran McAnulty by a solid margin of 2371 votes with 94.3 per cent of votes counted.

The National Party also looked to have the strongest party vote count in the electorate near the later stages, with 39.54 per cent. The Labour Party vote stood at 27.68 per cent.

McAnulty claimed the seat in 2020 against Butterick after National’s Alastair Scott did not seek re-election. Then, he won by a margin 2872 votes, gaining 49.7 per cent of the vote.

It is likely that McAnutly will remain in Parliament at number 16 on Labour’s list.

Former Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, who came in at number 15 on the Green Party List, is also vying for a spot in Parliament.

Based on preliminary results, the Green Party look to have 13 seats pending the outcome of special votes and coalition agreements.

Wade-Brown is one of two former Wellington mayors who have spent the campaign angling for a seat in Parliament.

Andy Foster, Wellington Mayor from 2019 to 2022, also put his hat in the ring as the NZ First candidate for the Mana electorate.

Since joining the Greens in 1992, Wade-Brown has stood in both local and national elections.