Sitting National Rodney MP Mark Mitchell looks set to retain his seat, but said he was hugely disappointed by what the polls were saying.

Mitchell told NZME there was no way he had "anticipated" what was coming through in the vote count. He said he felt for the party's "volunteers and supporters" who had given their all for the party.

"You can't argue there is not a swing, but people just do not want a swing."

He said losing up to 20 MPs was "devastating . . . it is going to be very tough"

He said National would focus on turning things around.

"I don't think you can blame Judith for this".

He said there had been "major disruption" in the party due to a series of leadership changes. Those issues were never gotten on top of.

Listen above as Matt King and Act's Nicole McKee also join Mike Hosking and Barry Soper