2008 New Zealand general election

General election in New Zealand February 2017 April 2020 2008 New Zealand general election New Zealand parliamentary no 2005 New Zealand general election 2005 48th New Zealand Parliament 2011 New Zealand general election 2011 All 122 seats in the House of Representatives, including two overhang seats 62 2008 11 8 y elected members Opinion polling for the 2008 New Zealand general election 2,376,480 79.46% (1.46) 2,990,759 Party vote Percentage Swing John Key victory speech 2008 (cropped).jpg 120 120 160 0 0 John Key 27 November 2006 New Zealand National Party Helensville 48 seats, 39.10% 48 58 10 1,053,398 44.93% 5.83 pp Helen Clark 2.jpg 170 120 160 5 30 Helen Clark 1 December 1993 New Zealand Labour Party Mount Albert 50 seats, 41.10% 49 43 7 796,880 33.99% 7.11 pp Russel Norman and Jeanette Fitzsimons 2008.jpg 120 120 160 0 0 Russel NormanJeanette Fitzsimons 3 June 200621 May 1995 Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand ListList 6 seats, 5.30% 6 9 3 157,613 6.72% 1.42 pp Rodney Hide at parliament.JPG 300 120 160 40 90 Rodney Hide 18 June 2004 ACT New Zealand Epsom 2 seats, 1.51% 2 5 3 85,496 3.65% 2.14 pp Tariana Turia and Pita sharples 2008 (cropped).jpg 120 120 160 0 0 Tariana TuriaPita Sharples 7 July 2004 Māori Party Te Tai HauāuruTāmaki Makaurau 4 seats, 2.12% 4 5 1 55,980 2.39% 0.27 pp Jim Anderton, 2010.jpg 190 120 160 0 10 Jim Anderton 27 July 2002 New Zealand Progressive Party Wigram 1 seat, 1.16% 1 1 0 21,241 0.91% 0.25 pp Peter Dunne.jpg 120 120 160 0 0 Peter Dunne 16 November 2000 United Future New Zealand Ōhariu 3 seats, 2.67% 2 1 2 20,497 0.87% 1.80 pp Winston Peters cropped.PNG 150 120 160 0 10 Winston Peters 18 July 1993 New Zealand First List(lost seat) 7 seats, 5.72% 7 0 7 95,356 4.07% 1.65 pp 2008 New Zealand general election - Results.svg 450px Results by electorate, shaded by winning margin Prime Minister and coalition Subsequent Prime Minister and coalition Helen Clark (Labour) John Key (National) Labour—Progressive (C&S: United Future, NZ First, Green) National (C&S: ACT, Māori, United Future) thumb|Parliamentary makeup prior to the 2008 election. Government: New Zealand Labour Party Labour (49) New Zealand First NZ First (7) Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand Green (6) Jim Anderton's Progressive Party Progressive (1) United Future United Future (2) Opposition: New Zealand National Party National (48) Te Pāti Māori Māori (4) ACT New Zealand ACT (2) Independent politician Independents (2) A general election was held in New Zealand on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand Parliament. The liberal-conservative National Party, headed by its parliamentary leader John Key, won the largest share of votes and seats, ending nine years of government by the social-democratic Labour Party, led by Helen Clark. Key announced a week later that he would lead a National minority government with confidence-and-supply support from the ACT, United Future and Māori parties. The governor-general swore Key in as prime minister on 19 November 2008. This marked the beginning of the Fifth National Government which governed for the next nine years, until the 2017 general election, when a government was formed between the Labour and New Zealand First parties, with support on confidence and supply by the Green Party. The Green Party became the third-largest party in Parliament, with nine seats. The ACT Party came joint-fourth (in terms of seats), increasing their number of seats from two to five, and reversing some of their losses from the 2005 election. The Māori Party also won five seats – out of the seven Māori electorates – creating an overhang of two seats. The New Zealand First party, which had seven MPs in the previous parliament, failed to win any electorates or pass the 5 per cent MMP threshold, and therefore won no seats in the new parliament. In his victory speech, John Key announced the readiness of the ACT, Maori Party and United Future parties to co-operate with the National Party to form the next government, the Fifth National Government of New Zealand. In her concession speech, Helen Clark announced her resignation as the parliamentary leader of the Labour Party. She had led the party since 1993, and had served as prime minister since the 1999 election. 2008 saw several important political figures enter Parliament, including future finance minister Grant Robertson, future National Party leader Simon Bridges, and the next two Labour Prime Ministers, Jacinda Ardern and Chris Hipkins. Former Labour minister Roger Douglas, who stepped down in 1990 returned to parliament in this election but as a member for the ACT Party. Dates New Zealand elections traditionally occur after September in the third year following the last election, and snap elections occur rarely; the only three elections out of sync in the period of 1948 to 2008 took place in 1951, 1984 and 2002—and the last two came only a few months early. Convention in New Zealand expects Parliaments to run for a full three years unless the government loses the confidence of the House, although this has not happened since 1911. The Constitution Act 1986 defines the term of Parliament as "three years from the day fixed for the return of the writs issued for the last preceding general election of members of the House of Representatives, and no longer". Since the writs for the 2005 election were returned on 6 October 2005,Electoral Commission: Post-election deadlines – Election '05 Source https://web.archive.org/web/20061002113839/http://www.elections.org.nz/voting/ec-post-election-deadlines.html 2 October 2006 the ensuing 48th New Zealand Parliament expired on 6 October 2008, making 15 November the final possible date for the 2008 general election. On Friday 12 September 2008, Prime Minister Helen Clark announced that the general election would take place on 8 November 2008. This set the full election timetable as: Dissolution of parliament – Friday, 3 October 2008. Writ day – Wednesday, 8 October. Nominations day – Tuesday, 14 October. Election day – Saturday, 8 November. Official results declared and writs returned by Saturday, 22 November. The 49th Parliament must convene no later than Saturday 3 January 2009.http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/624791 Key promises 'issues' election 12 September 2008 Stuff 30 October 2011 10 September 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100910142135/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/624791 live Political parties Party lists in the 2008 New Zealand general election Contesting parties Nineteen registered political parties contested the party vote:http://www.elections.org.nz/record/registers/registered-political-parties.html Registered Political Parties – overview and Register 29 July 2008 4 August 2008 Elections New Zealand https://web.archive.org/web/20081014141711/http://www1.elections.org.nz/record/registers/registered-political-parties.html 14 October 2008 party leader(s) elections contested by party seats won in 2005 seats won in 2008 parties that won seats at the 2005 general election ACT Rodney Hide 1996– 2 5 Green Party Jeanette Fitzsimons & Russel Norman 1990; 1999– 6 9 Labour Party Helen Clark 1919– 50 43 Māori Party Tariana Turia & Pita Sharples 2005– 4 5 National Party John Key 1938– 48 58 New Zealand First Winston Peters 1993– 7 0 Progressive Party Jim Anderton 2002– 1 1 United Future Peter Dunne 1996– 3 1 parties that did not win seats at the 2005 election Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party Michael Appleby 1996– 0 0 Alliance Andrew McKenzie & Kay Murray 1993– 0 0 Democrats for Social Credit Stephnie de Ruyter 1954–1990 (As Social Credit until 1985); 2005– 0 0 Libertarianz Bernard Darnton 1996– 0 0 The Republic of New Zealand Party Kerry Bevin 2005– 0 0 parties that have not previously contested a general election in New Zealand Bill and BenJamie Linehan & Ben Boyce 2008 – 0 The Family Party Richard Lewis 2008 – 0 Kiwi Party Larry Baldock 2008 – 0 New Zealand Pacific Party Taito Phillip Field 2008 – 0 Residents Action Movement Oliver Woods 2008 – 0 Workers Party Daphna Whitmore 2008 – 0 Non-contesting parties The following parties either disappeared during the previous parliament's term (2005 to 2008), or did not contest the 2008 elections for other reasons. party leader(s) elections contested by party registered political parties that did not submit a list Direct Democracy Kelvyn Alp 2005– New World Order Party Nathan Couper – parties dissolved or deregistered since 2005 election 99 MP Party Margaret Robertson 2005 Christian Heritage Ewen McQueen 1990–2005 Destiny New Zealand Richard Lewis 2005 New Zealand Family Rights Protection Party Susi Pa'o Williams 2005 OneNZ Alan McCulloch 1999–2005 Retiring MPs In the months preceding the election 13 Members of Parliament announced that they would not seek re-election to the House of Representatives in 2008, namely: from Labour, 9 members: Tim Barnett (Christchurch Central) David Benson-Pope (Dunedin South) Mark Gosche (Maungakiekie)Dominion Post 30 May 2008 page A4 Marian Hobbs (Wellington Central) Steve Maharey (Palmerston North) Jill Pettis (list MP) Dover Samuels (list MP) Paul Swain (Rimutaka) Margaret Wilson (list MP) from National, 4 members: Mark Blumsky (list MP) Bob Clarkson (Tauranga) Katherine Rich (list MP) Clem Simich (list MP) Several list MPs elected in 2005 resigned before the end of the term; for a full list, see 48th New Zealand Parliament#Changes during term. MPs who lost their seats New Zealand First New Zealand First received 4.07% of the party vote – below the threshold of 5% – and failed to win an electorate seat. The party's seven MPs lost their seats: Winston Peters Leader, and second in Tauranga by 11,742 votes Peter Brown 2nd on List and Deputy Leader Ron Mark (list MP; 3rd in Rimutaka) Doug Woolerton (list MP) Barbara Stewart (list MP) Pita Paraone (list MP) Dail Jones (list MP at number 14) United Future Party Judy Turner (list MP) Labour Party Damien O'Connor (MP for West Coast-Tasman) Dave Hereora (list MP) Harry Duynhoven (MP for New Plymouth) Judith Tizard (MP for Auckland Central) Lesley Soper (list MP) Louisa Wall (list MP) Mahara Okeroa (MP for Te Tai Tonga) Mark Burton (MP for Taupo) Martin Gallagher MP for Hamilton West) Russell Fairbrother (list MP; MP for Napier from 2002 to 2005) Independents Gordon Copeland (list MP) Taito Phillip Field (MP for Mangere) Voter enrolment and turnout The rolls listed almost 3 million people registered to vote in the election, a record number representing 95.3% of the estimated eligible voting population.https://archive.today/20121220074741/http://www.elections.org.nz/news/enrolment-records-set-2008.html Enrolment records set for 2008 General Election, press release, Electoral Enrolment Centre, 12 November 2008. In contrast, voter turnout of 79.5% of enrolled voters came in lower than in most previous elections, the second-lowest since 1978 (when a large number of outdated and duplicate enrolments deflated the figure) and third-lowest since 1902.New Zealand general election, 2008 – Official Results http://www.elections.org.nz/news/2008-election-official-results.html 23 November 2008 Elections New Zealand https://archive.today/20120630051204/http://www.elections.org.nz/news/2008-election-official-results.html 30 June 2012General elections 1853–2005 – dates & turnout https://web.archive.org/web/20081017191904/http://www1.elections.org.nz/record/resultsdata/elections-dates-turnout.html 17 October 2008 , Electoral Compendium 2005 https://web.archive.org/web/20081205015253/http://www.elections.org.nz/study/researchers/electoral-compendium-2005.html 5 December 2008 . Electoral Commission, Wellington, 2005. Turnout statistics reflect the percentage of those enrolled to vote. Political scientist Stephen Levine from Victoria University speculated that the low turnout may have resulted from the National Party's large lead over Labour in opinion polls running up to the election.Low voter turnout for 2008 election http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/events/election2008/stories/2008/11/12/12437f8cf1b7 Radio New Zealand Radio NZ 12 November 2008 12 November 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20090725083413/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/events/election2008/stories/2008/11/12/12437f8cf1b7 25 July 2009 Māori Party co-leader Pita Sharples expressed concern that only 55% of those on the Maori roll had voted.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10542640 Low Maori voter turnout shows lack of trust – Sharples 12 November 2008 The New Zealand Herald 30 October 2011 24 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120324055641/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10542640 live Issues Electoral Finance Act Electoral Finance Act 2005 New Zealand election funding controversy The Electoral Finance Act 2007 passed by the Labour government had a "chilling effect" on political activity in 2008, according to the Electoral Commission.Electoral Commission blasts EFA – again http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz-election-2008/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501799&objectid=10535383 NZPA The New Zealand Herald 2 October 2008 2 November 2008 23 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110523054941/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz-election-2008/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501799&objectid=10535383 live Some parties attempted to make this an election issue. Economic conditions On 5 August 2008, the Treasury announced that the New Zealand economy had entered a recession.http://stuff.co.nz/4644005a13.html https://archive.today/20130223061609/http://stuff.co.nz/4644005a13.html 23 February 2013 NZ in recession – Treasury 5 August 2008 5 August 2008 Stuff New Zealand Economic downturn has led to high-profile job losses, such as the closure of factories in Foxton,http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0808/S00015.htm Tears flow at Feltex Foxton 1 August 2008 5 August 2008 scoop.co.nz 18 October 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081018090122/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0808/S00015.htm live in west Dunedinhttp://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/3/story.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10511151 138 jobs axed in latest meatworks closure 29 May 2008 5 August 2008 The New Zealand Herald and in southern Hawke's Bay.http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0805/S00212.htm Oringi meatworks closure 13 May 2008 5 August 2008 scoop.co.nz 13 May 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080513212735/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0805/S00212.htm live At the same time, inflation hit an eighteen-year high,http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=87661&cat=976&fm=newsarticle,nur Inflation Hits 18-year high 13 May 2008 5 August 2008 nzity.co.nz 23 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110523101315/http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=87661&cat=976&fm=newsarticle,nur live with an upwards tug on the prices of basics such as food and petrol, the latter crossing the two-dollar-per-litre mark in late May.http://www.stuff.co.nz/4554428a11.html Petrol price up again – 95 passes $2 mark 30 May 2008 5 August 2008 Stuff New Zealand 8 June 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080608005021/http://www.stuff.co.nz/4554428a11.html live At the Labour Party's campaign launch on 12 October 2008, Helen Clark became the latest world leader to guarantee bank deposits, unveiling a plan worth $150 billion whereby all retail deposits would be unconditionally covered.http://www.stuff.co.nz/4725482a13.html Govt deposit liability 'huge but risk low' 12 October 2008 14 October 2008 Stuff New Zealand 15 October 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081015103400/http://www.stuff.co.nz//4725482a13.html live The plan would be voluntary to join; within two days, reports appeared stating that all of New Zealand's major trading banks had signed up.https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-post-1022/20081013/283313223272364 $150b guarantee: Government acts to protect savings as credit crunch bites 13 October 2008 14 October 2008 The Dominion Post PressReader New Zealand Also signed up to the plan was the National Party, with deputy leader and finance spokesperson Bill English saying that there was "still time to change the...scheme if banks find it hard to borrow overseas".http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2008/10/14/124379b61011 Change deposit guarantee scheme if banks can't borrow – National 14 October 2008 14 October 2008 Radio New Zealand https://web.archive.org/web/20120212235417/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2008/10/14/124379b61011 12 February 2012 Taxation On 6 October, two days before the National Party's scheduled release of details of the tax-cut plan it had over and above the governing coalition's three-stage series of tax cuts revealed in the 2008 Budget,http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0805/S00405.htm Budget 2008 Minister's Statement 22 May 2008 7 October 2008 scoop.co.nz 30 January 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090130064319/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0805/S00405.htm live the Government disclosed its full fiscal situation; it showed that it expected to take $3.1 billion less tax in 2009, forcing the government to borrow $5.9 billion in 2009, rising to $7.3 billion by 2013. This implied higher costs for KiwiSaver, Working For Families and the 20 hours subsidised early-childhood plan; and higher numbers of people forced onto benefits by any prospective economic downturn. Over the next fiscal year, Cullen expected GDP to rise by just 0.1%, with median house prices dropping by an estimated 10–15%.http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0810/S00124.htm Cullen: Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update 0 6 October 2008 7 October 2008 scoop.co.nz 24 July 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090724232831/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0810/S00124.htm live http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10536185 No More Safety in Numbers For Cullen 6 October 2008 7 October 2008 The New Zealand Herald Paula Oliver 23 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110523054706/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10536185 live John Key responded to the news by describing the numbers as "a bit worse than we had anticipated", and stated "I'm confident we can deliver a programme of tax cuts."http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz-election-2008/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501799&objectid=10536172 Cullen rains on Key's parade 6 October 2008 7 October 2008 The New Zealand Herald Paula Oliver 23 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110523054836/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz-election-2008/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501799&objectid=10536172 live The same day Helen Clark reiterated her opinion on tax cuts beyond the government's proposal, saying "now is not the time to go out and recklessly borrow to offer tax cuts",http://www.tvnz.co.nz/view/page/576182/2178708 is there still money for tax cuts? 6 October 2008 7 October 2008 TVNZ https://web.archive.org/web/20081007034559/http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/576182/2178708 7 October 2008 an opinion she had first voiced in early Augusthttp://3news.co.nz/PMdescribesNatsplansasnuts/tabid/370/articleID/65494/Default.aspx?ArticleID=65494#video PM describes Nats' plan as 'Nuts' 3 August 2008 5 August 2008 3 News https://web.archive.org/web/20110521021756/http://www.3news.co.nz/PMdescribesNatsplansasnuts/tabid/370/articleID/65494/Default.aspx?ArticleID=65494#video 21 May 2011 when the National Party used its annual conference to promise to speed up the implementation of the tax cuts, and to borrow several billion dollars to fund infrastructure projects such as a $1.5 billion broadband plan and a new prison in its first term.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10525009&ref=rss Faster tax cuts, vows National 3 August 2008 5 August 2008 The New Zealand Herald Anna Rushworth On 9 October, National released its policy, promising people on the average wage or higher around $47 a week extra in the hand, funded through a combination of cutting contributions to KiwiSaver, eliminating a tax credit for science and development, and changing Working For Families entitlements.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz-election-2008/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501799&objectid=10536380 Key gives tax cuts, reduces KiwiSaver 9 October 2008 14 October 2008 The New Zealand Herald Edward Gay 23 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110523054916/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz-election-2008/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501799&objectid=10536380 live Trust On calling the 2008 election, Prime Minister Helen Clark declared that it would be "about trust", labelling the National Party's recent commitments to preserve Labour Party programmes such as KiwiSaver and Kiwibank as "insincere".http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10531965&ref=rss Poll all about trust, says Clark 13 September 2008 25 September 2008 The New Zealand Herald Audrey Young 22 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110522221702/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10531965&ref=rss live Members of the Labour Party accused John Key of lying about his shareholding in Tranz Rail, by not disclosing nearly half of the shares he and his family trusts owned in the company, even though this presented a clear conflict of interest with Key's role as his party's spokesperson on transport, at a time when he asked several questions in the House about the government's plans regarding rail infrastructure.http://www.3news.co.nz/JohnKeyaccusedoflyingaboutTransrailshares/tabid/419/articleID/72792/Default.aspx?ArticleID=72792 John Key accused of lying about Transrail shares 23 September 2008 25 September 2008 TV3 https://web.archive.org/web/20110521015218/http://www.3news.co.nz/JohnKeyaccusedoflyingaboutTransrailshares/tabid/419/articleID/72792/Default.aspx?ArticleID=72792 21 May 2011 New Zealand First leader Winston Peters faced an attack on his party's credibility, first over allegations that his party did not declare a $100,000 donation from millionaire ex-patriate property developer Owen Glenn to cover Winston Peters' legal costs in a challenge to the result in the seat of Tauranga. This was referred to a House of Representatives Privileges Committee. On 22 September, the committee determined that Peters had "provided misleading information" and recommended he be censured;http://www.stuff.co.nz/4701732a6160.html Committee recommends censuring Peters 22 September 2008 7 October 2008 Stuff New Zealand 25 September 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080925010216/http://www.stuff.co.nz/4701732a6160.html live this was done by the House of Representatives in a 62–56 vote two days later.http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=145006 Parliament votes to censure Peters 22 September 2008 7 October 2008 Newstalk ZB https://web.archive.org/web/20090725071247/http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=145006 25 July 2009 The second allegation revolved around the party's failure to declare the use of a secret trust to funnel large donations into New Zealand First's bank account, even though no donations over $10,000 to New Zealand First has been declared, as the law requires. This case was referred to the Serious Fraud Office for further investigation; on 11 October, New Zealand First was cleared of charges that Peters called a "waste of time"https://www.tntmagazine.com/archive/peters-cleared-but-clark-keeps-his-portfolio/ Peters cleared but PM keeps his portfolio 12 October 2008 2 August 2026 TNT Magazine NZPA New Zealand and on 24 October, New Zealand First was cleared of wrongdoing by the Electoral Commission, which was investigating donations that the party failed to declare.http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/576182/2227446 Peters buoyed by donations ruling 24 October 2008 20 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110520081552/http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/576182/2227446 live Electorates Boundary changes The Representation Commission altered many of the boundaries of New Zealand's parliamentary electorates following the 2006 census; the large growth in population between censuses lead to significant boundary changes, particularly in Auckland, the area around Christchurch and the central North Island. In May 2007, the Representation Commission announced the boundary changeshttp://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10437554 Auckland to get an extra seat in Parliament The New Zealand Herald 3 May 2007 3 May 2007 29 September 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070929120213/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10437554 live to take effect for the next general election, with the boundaries finalised in September 2007. The Commission announced the formation of a new electorate in Greater Auckland, bringing the number of geographical constituencies to 70. The new seat, originally dubbed "Howick" (after the Auckland suburb), would have included parts of the existing Pakuranga, Manukau East and Clevedon electorates. After Pakuranga electors made strong objections to the proposed changes (which would have seen the inclusion of the population centres Panmure, Point England and Glen Innes into the electorate) the Commission largely reverted proposed changes to the boundaries of the Pakuranga electorate. The Commission opted to alleviate population pressures by moving the Auckland City suburb of Ōtāhuhu into Manukau East. The revised new seat received the name "Botany" to reflect its focus on the growing population-centres of Botany Downs–Dannemora. On paper, Botany counts as a safe National seat. Even though the number of South Island electorates remains fixed, the decline in the population of electorates south of Christchurch has resulted in the boundaries of electorates from Invercargill north to Rakaia shifting northwards. The seats of Aoraki, Otago, Rakaia and Banks Peninsula all gravitated towards Christchurch. In the process: Aoraki received the new name of Rangitata Otago received the new name of Waitaki Rakaia received the new name of Selwyn Banks Peninsula received the new name of Port Hills Other seats in the lower South Island increased dramatically in size. Situation after 2005 In 2005 four MPs won seats with majorities of under a thousand: Labour's Darren Hughes beat National candidate Nathan Guy in Ōtaki by 382 votes (1.00%), and in Hamilton West, Martin Gallagher of the Labour Party won an 825-vote majority (2.46%) over National's Tim Macindoe. Both these seats saw a rematch in 2008, with the National Party candidates emerging victorious in each. The swing to National in the central North Island saw two Bay of Plenty seats produce close results: in Rotorua, the sitting Labour MP Steve Chadwick prevailed by just 662 votes (2.17%) over National's Gil Stehbens, and in Tauranga, property developer Bob Clarkson defeated New Zealand First's leader and seven-term MP for Tauranga Winston Peters by 730 votes (2.02%). Rotorua fell to National's Todd McClay in 2008, while Simon Bridges held Tauranga for National by a wide margin, preventing Peters from returning to Parliament. Besides the three Labour-held narrow-margin seats mentioned above (Otaki, Hamilton West and Rotorua), National had prospects of gaining Taupō, where boundary changes have added the National-leaning town of Cambridge and with it nearly 20,000 different voters – putting sitting MP Mark Burton's 2005 majority of just 1,285 votes (4.43%) at risk. Similarly, the seat of West Coast-Tasman gave Labour's Damien O'Connor a majority of 2,154 (6.77%). National reversed all of these majorities in 2008 and captured all three seats. Part of National's core vote comes from provincial centres. In 1990, when Labour lost power, it lost every seat between the southern fringe of the Auckland urban area and Porirua except Napier and Palmerston North; in 2005, National again won several provincial seats off Labour: East Coast Tukituki Napier Whanganui Hamilton East Otago Aoraki National also won Tauranga off New Zealand First leader Winston Peters in 2005 and the lion's share of the ACT and United parties' core votesSeptember 2008 (and in the process gained Northcote off Labour). The newly-drawn seat of Botany on Auckland's eastern fringe presented an electoral problem for the Labour Party – on 4 July 2008 a crowd of mostly Asian marchers numbered in the thousandshttp://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/4606304a6016.html https://archive.today/20130223032754/http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/4606304a6016.html 23 February 2013 Eastern Courier Clean, green but not safe 5 July 2008 protested against Labour's record on crime and sentencing and a perceived upswing in anti-Asian crime. Because of the large Asian population in the new seat, such trends may have given National candidate and victor Pansy Wong a possible advantage. Boundary changes have also shaken up the electoral landscape of the South Island. Three new seats – Selwyn, Waitaki and Rangitata, drawn respectively out of Aoraki, Otago and Rakaia, three National-held seats in 2005, damaged Labour's chances outside of Christchurch and Dunedin.September 2008 On Labour's other flank, the three Māori electorates that it held last time against a strong Māori Party challenge were in danger of falling as they did in 1996 when New Zealand First broke Labour's sixty-year stranglehold. Nanaia Mahuta again faced Angeline Greensill for the new Hauraki-Waikato seat, and narrowly held it. Māori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia also held on by a small margin against veteran broadcaster Derek Fox in Ikaroa-Rāwhiti. Incumbent Mahara Okeroa, however, was defeated by Rahui Katene in Te Tai Tonga, giving the Māori Party an additional seat. The seats of Tauranga and Epsom provided particular resonances: Winston Peters failed to retake the marginal Tauranga (and Ron Mark failed to win the Rimutaka seat), meaning New Zealand First's chances of returning to the House depended on winning 5% of the party vote, which they did not accomplish. Similarly, the electoral fortunes of the ACT Party depended very largely on Rodney Hide retaining Epsom, which he did. Amongst other parties very aware of the 5% barrier, United Future appeared more secure in the light of Peter Dunne's grip on Ōhariu, which he maintained, though by a narrower margin than previously; and the Progressive Party retained a very strong hold via Jim Anderton's "safe seat" of Wigram. The Greens never appeared in danger of slipping below the 5% threshold, although lacking an obvious winnable electorate seat (co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons had won Coromandel in 1999, but the electorate returned to National in 2002). Seats that changed hands National won nine electorate seats from Labour: Auckland Central: Nikki Kaye defeated sitting Labour MP Judith Tizard, the first time National has won this seat. Hamilton West: won by Tim Macindoe who ousted sitting Labour MP Martin Gallagher, a reversal of the 2005 election when Gallagher narrowly defeated Macindoe. Maungakiekie: Sam Lotu-Iiga achieved a majority of 1,876 over Carol Beaumont after incumbent Mark Gosche retired. Beaumont entered Parliament as a Labour list member. New Plymouth: the most marginal electorate, where Jonathan Young won by 314 votes to oust Harry Duynhoven. Otaki: the most marginal 2005 seat fell to Nathan Guy, who defeated incumbent Minister Darren Hughes by 1,422 votes. Hughes remained in Parliament through the Labour list. Rotorua: fell to Todd McClay who defeated sitting Minister Steve Chadwick by 4,855 votes. Chadwick returned to Parliament through the party list. Taupo: won by Louise Upston, who defeated Mark Burton by nearly 6,000 votes, to reverse a 1,198 majority in 2005. Waitakere: Paula Bennett defeated Lynne Pillay by just over 600 votes, Pillay returned to Parliament as a List MP. This Waitakere seat differs from that previously held by National's Brian Neeson.December 2008 West Coast-Tasman: Chris Auchinvole defeated Cabinet Minister Damien O'Connor. The Māori Party also won a seat from Labour. Te Tai Tonga: Rahui Katene won the seat from Mahara Okeroa. New seats won by incumbent MPs National's Pansy Wong became the first Member for the new Botany seat. She had become the first Asian list MP in 1996, and in 2008 became the first Asian electorate MP. National's Paul Hutchison, sitting MP for Port Waikato, returned to Parliament as Member for Hunua which covers most of his former electorate and parts of the former Clevedon electorate. United Future's Peter Dunne, sitting MP for Ohariu-Belmont, returned to Parliament as the new Member for Ōhariu. National's Judith Collins, sitting MP for Clevedon, returned to Parliament as the new Member for Papakura. Labour's Ruth Dyson, sitting MP for Banks Peninsula, returned to Parliament as the new Member for Port Hills. National's Jo Goodhew, sitting MP for Aoraki, returned to Parliament as the new Member for Rangitata. National's Lindsay Tisch, sitting MP for Piako, returned to Parliament as the new Member for Waikato, covering most of Piako and rural areas north of Hamilton West. National's Jacqui Dean, sitting MP for Otago, returned to Parliament as the new Member for Waitaki which takes in most of Dean's former Otago electorate, and Queenstown and Arrowtown. Labour's Nanaia Mahuta, sitting MP for the Maori electorate of Tainui, returned to Parliament as the new Member for Hauraki-Waikato. New MPs in vacated seats A number of seats elected new MPs following the retirement of their sitting Members: Brendon Burns held for Labour Christchurch Central by just over 800 votes, previously held by retiring MP Tim Barnett. Clare Curran held for Labour Dunedin South vacated by David Benson-Pope who did not achieve party reselection. William Sio held for Labour the seat of Mangere, defeating Taito Phillip Field. Field won the seat in the 2005 general election, but left the party after being indicted on fraud charges and contested this election as leader of New Zealand Pacific Party. Iain Lees-Galloway held for Labour the seat of Palmerston North following the retirement of sitting MP Steve Maharey. Chris Hipkins held for Labour the seat of Rimutaka following the retirement of sitting MP Paul Swain. Amy Adams won for National the new seat of Selwyn, taking in part of the former Rakaia electorate. Sitting Rakaia MP Brian Connell retired from politics. Simon Bridges held for National the seat of Tauranga following the retirement of sitting MP Bob Clarkson. Grant Robertson held for Labour the seat of Wellington Central following the retirement of sitting MP Marian Hobbs. Opinion polling thumb|Poll results for all political parties that exceeded the 5% mixed-member proportional (MMP) representation threshold between the 2005 and 2008 elections. Opinion polling for the 2008 New Zealand general election Having come first in the party vote at the 2005 election by just two percentage points, Labour held a slender lead in aggregate polling through the first half of 2006; a two-point lead in the first half of the year turned into a two-point deficit by May. Polling for a preferred Prime Minister showed Helen Clark nearly twice as popular as then National Party leader Don Brash. Things changed in early 2007, with new National leader John Key improving on Brash's preferred Prime Minister rating by ten points, and overtaking Clark as preferred Prime Minister in May; at the same time National jumped out to a sizeable lead over Labour ranging from between eight and eighteen points, spending most of 2007 and 2008 with support from around fifty percent of the electorate. Labour's popularity slumped, hitting its lowest point in the winter of 2008, before beginning a slow climb into the high thirties in August and September. Leading up to the election, polls indicated a range of possible outcomes on election day; some suggested Labour could form a coalition government, while others predicted National in control. Of the "minor" parties, only the Green Party consistently polled over the five-percent threshold, and United Future and the Progressive Party frequently failed to register a mention. Both ACT's and the Māori Party's popularity since 2005 remained steady at around two percent, while New Zealand First failed to poll over the threshold after December 2006. The polls gave varied results for preferred Prime Minister, with some giving Clark a slight lead, and others giving Key a sturdy margin. Coalition preferences during the campaign The coalition preferences of various parties played a role during the campaign, due to the likelihood that no party would get an absolute majority of seats in the House. ACT emerged as the first "minor" party to announce that it would support a prospective National-led government.http://www.act.org.nz/news/be-the-difference-party-vote-act-0 Be The Difference – Party Vote ACT 12 October 2008 14 October 2008 ACT New Zealand https://web.archive.org/web/20081014040836/http://www.act.org.nz/news/be-the-difference-party-vote-act-0 14 October 2008 United Future also announced that it would side with National in late October, after supporting the Labour government for six years.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz-election-2008/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501799&objectid=10539556&pnum=0 Dunne cites Greens as reason for backing Key Paula Oliver The New Zealand Herald 27 October 2008 2 November 2008 23 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110523055355/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz-election-2008/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501799&objectid=10539556&pnum=0 live The Progressive Party, led by Jim Anderton, had served as a steady coalition partner to Labour and the electorate probably expected it to remain so. The Green Party, which abstained from opposing the Labour-led government in supply and confidence votes through the life of the 48th Parliament (2005 to 2008), said on 20 October that the only party of the two main parties it could form a coalition with was Labour.http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/events/election2008/stories/2008/10/20/12437a1236df Greens rule out coalition with National 20 October 2008 24 October 2008 Radio New Zealand https://web.archive.org/web/20081021025052/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/events/election2008/stories/2008/10/20/12437a1236df 21 October 2008 In the light of New Zealand First's run-in with the Serious Fraud Office, John Key ruled out that party as a government support partner on 31 August 2008, saying "the sheer weight of allegations and the actions of Mr Peters in the last few months means that I have lost that confidence in him".http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/nats-wont-shift-position-peters-key-34647 Nats won't shift position on Peters – Key 31 August 2008 14 October 2008 National Business Review https://web.archive.org/web/20110611051152/http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/nats-wont-shift-position-peters-key-34647 11 June 2011 At that time, Peters' future seemed under a cloud; after his party being cleared of charges of serious fraud, National restated its position, saying that the result of the case has not altered it.https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/86403/peters-won't-get-portfolios-back,-despite-sfo-finding Peters won't get portfolios back, despite SFO finding 10 October 2008 14 October 2008 Radio New Zealand Based on polls commissioned by the Māori news show Marae,http://tvnz.co.nz/view/tvone_minisite_index_skin/tvone_pooti08_group?oiu Marae – election 08 12 October 2008 14 October 2008 TVNZ 7 December 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211207004917/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/view/tvone_minisite_index_skin/tvone_pooti08_group live the Māori Party appeared likely to win most of the Māori electorates and stood a chance of holding the balance of power. The party's MP for Te Tai Tokerau, Hone Harawira, stated at the end of September that the party could work with both Labour and National.http://www.stuff.co.nz/4700554a6160.html Māori Party could work with Nats or Labour – Harawira 21 September 2008 14 October 2008 TVNZ 24 September 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080924074744/http://www.stuff.co.nz/4700554a6160.html live On 28 September, National announced a commitment to abolish the Māori electorates in time for the 2014 election.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10534713&pnum=0 National to dump Maori seats in 2014 29 September 2008 14 October 2008 The New Zealand Herald Yvonne Tahana 23 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110523055420/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10534713&pnum=0 live The Māori Party has benefited greatly from the Māori electorates, and its co-leader Tariana Turia was unimpressed: "They think again that they can deny us the right to participate. If they want a relationship with the Māori Party then very clearly they're starting off on the wrong foot". Marae polls released on 12 October showed 62 percent of voters polled in the two northernmost Māori electorates were resistant to the idea of a National–Māori government; co-leader Pita Sharples responded to the poll results by saying his party would be "stupid" to ignore the poll figures.Maori voters prefer Labour to Nats - poll https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/maori-voters-prefer-labour-to-nats-poll-brdm9axh 1 August 2026 Otago Daily Times 15 October 2008 en Candidates See: Candidates in the 2008 New Zealand general election by electorate Party lists in the 2008 New Zealand general election Results The Labour government failed to secure a fourth consecutive term, after the National Party entered into support agreements with the ACT, United Future and Māori parties, resulting in a National minority government.http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/key-announces-shape-new-national-led-government-37836 Key announces shape of new National-led government 16 November 2008 NZPA National Business Review 30 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20131019130530/http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/key-announces-shape-new-national-led-government-37836 19 October 2013 The Chief Electoral Officer released the official results on 22 November 2008.Results of the 2008 General Election http://www.elections.org.nz/events/past-events-0/2008-general-election/results-2008-general-election Electoral Commission 17 April 2015 29 January 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20150417231533/http://www.elections.org.nz/events/past-events-0/2008-general-election/results-2008-general-election 17 April 2015 Parliamentary parties Summary of the 8 November 2008 election for the House of Representatives https://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/e9/html/statistics.html 2008 GENERAL ELECTION – OFFICIAL RESULTS AND STATISTICS ElectionResults.govt.nz Electoral Commission 21 October 2020 15 September 2021 17 January 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200117212023/http://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/e9/html/statistics.html live | colspan=12 align=center| 300px |- style="text-align:center;" ! colspan=2 rowspan=2 style="width:213px;" | Party ! Colspan=3 | Party vote ! Colspan=3 | Electorate vote ! Colspan=4 | Seats |- style="text-align:center;" ! Votes ! % ! Change(pp) ! Votes ! % ! Change(pp) ! List ! Electorate ! Total ! +/- |- | New Zealand National Party | 1,053,398 | 44.93 | 5.83 | 1,072,024 | 46.60 | 6.22 | 17 | 41 | 58 | 10 |- | New Zealand Labour Party | 796,880 | 33.99 | 7.11 | 810,238 | 35.22 | 5.13 | 22 | 21 | 43 | 7 |- | Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand | 157,613 | 6.72 | 1.42 | 129,584 | 5.63 | 1.51 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 3 |- | ACT New Zealand | 85,496 | 3.65 | 2.14 | 68,852 | 2.99 | 1.02 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 3 |- | Māori Party | 55,980 | 2.39 | 0.27 | 76,836 | 3.34 | 0.02 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 1 |- | Jim Anderton's Progressive Party | 21,241 | 0.91 | 0.25 | 25,981 | 1.13 | 0.51 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |- | United Future | 20,497 | 0.87 | 1.80 | 25,955 | 1.13 | 1.71 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |- | New Zealand First | 95,356 | 4.07 | 1.65 | 38,813 | 1.69 | 1.80 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |- | Bill and Ben Party | 13,016 | 0.56 | new | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | new |- | The Kiwi Party | 12,755 | 0.54 | new | 15,528 | 0.68 | new | 0 | 0 | 0 | new |- | Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party | 9,515 | 0.41 | 0.16 | 3,884 | 0.17 | 0.05 | | 0 | 0 | |- | New Zealand Pacific Party | 8,640 | 0.37 | new | 9,714 | 0.42 | new | 0 | 0 | 0 | new |- | The Family Party | 8,176 | 0.35 | new | 9,214 | 0.40 | new | 0 | 0 | 0 | new |- | Alliance (New Zealand political party) | 1,909 | 0.08 | 0.01 | 1,885 | 0.08 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |- | New Zealand Democratic Party | 1,208 | 0.05 | | 1,758 | 0.08 | 0.05 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |- |Libertarianz | 1,176 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 1,739 | 0.08 | 0.05 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |- | Workers Party of New Zealand | 932 | 0.04 | new | 480 | 0.02 | new | 0 | 0 | 0 | new |- | Residents Action Movement | 465 | 0.02 | new | 1,213 | 0.05 | new | | 0 | 0 | new |- | The Republic of New Zealand Party | 313 | 0.01 | new | 192 | 0.01 | new | | 0 | 0 | new |- | style="background-color:#ffffff" | | style="text-align:left;" |Unregistered parties | — | — | — | 1,363 | 0.06 | 0.01 | | 0 | 0 | |- | Independent (politician) | — | — | — | 5,013 | 0.53 | 0.31 | 0 | – | 0 | |- ! colspan=2 style="text-align:left;" | Valid votes ! 2,344,566 ! 98.66 ! 0.11 ! 2,300,266 ! 96.79 ! 0.2 ! Colspan=4 | |- | colspan=2 style="text-align:left;" | Informal vote | 11,970 | 0.50 | 0.04 | 25,332 | 1.07 | 0.01 | Colspan=4 | |- | colspan=2 style="text-align:left;" | Disallowed votes | 19,944 | 0.84 | 0.07 | 50,882 | 2.14 | 0.26 | Colspan=4 | |- | colspan=2 style="text-align:left;" | Below electoral threshold | 153,461 | 6.46 | | — | — | — | Colspan=4 | |- ! colspan=2 style="text-align:left;" | Total ! 2,376,480 ! 100 ! ! 2,376,480 ! 100 ! ! 52 ! 70 ! 122 ! 1 |- | colspan=2 style="text-align:left;" | Eligible voters and Turnout | 2,990,759 | 79.46 | 1.46 | 2,990,759 | 79.46 | 1.46 | Colspan=4 | |} right Party vote percentage yes National 44.93 New Zealand National Party Labour 33.99 New Zealand Labour Party Green 6.72 Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand NZ First 4.07 New Zealand First ACT 3.65 ACT New Zealand Māori 2.39 Māori Party New Zealand Progressive Party 0.91 New Zealand Progressive Party United Future New Zealand 0.87 United Future New Zealand Votes summary Constituency Vote #ddd 600px 410px National New Zealand National Party 46.60 Labour New Zealand Labour Party 35.22 Green Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 5.63 Māori Māori Party 3.34 ACT ACT New Zealand 2.99 NZ First New Zealand First 1.69 United Future United Future New Zealand 1.13 Progressive New Zealand Progressive Party 1.13 Others #777777 2.27 Party Vote #ddd 600px 410px National New Zealand National Party 44.93 Labour New Zealand Labour Party 33.99 Green Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 6.72 NZ First New Zealand First 4.07 ACT ACT New Zealand 3.65 Māori Māori Party 2.39 Progressive New Zealand Progressive Party 0.91 United Future United Future New Zealand 0.87 Others #777777 2.48 Parliament seats #ddd 600px 410px National New Zealand National Party 47.54 Labour New Zealand Labour Party 35.24 Green Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 7.38 ACT ACT New Zealand 4.10 Māori Māori Party 4.10 Progressive New Zealand Progressive Party 0.82 United Future United Future New Zealand 0.82 Electorate results thumb|left|600px|Party affiliation of the winning electorate candidates. While the National Party has dominated rural seats since 1938, it achieved a clean sweep this year. The 19 general electorates which Labour retained all have a predominantly urban character, excluding Waimakariri, a predominantly urban area but with a significant rural population, resulting in a Labour MP narrowly elected but National winning the party vote commandingly. Palmerston North remains the only provincial city with a Labour MP. The two seats of Hamilton (considered bellwether seats as their demographic profile closely resembles that of the country as a wholeColin James (political commentator) on TV 1 election coverage.) both went to National. The table below shows the results of the 2008 general election: Key: New Zealand National PartyNew Zealand Labour PartyNew Zealand FirstACT New ZealandUnited FutureMāori Party Electorate results of the 2008 New Zealand general electionhttp://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/electoratestatus.html Official Count Results – Electorate Status 14 September 2021 20 January 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200120203345/https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/electoratestatus.html live Auckland Central Judith Tizard New Zealand Labour Party Nikki Kaye New Zealand National Party 1,497 Judith Tizard New Zealand Labour Party Bay of Plenty Tony Ryall New Zealand National Party 17,604 Carol Devoy-Heena New Zealand Labour Party Botany Pansy Wong New Zealand National Party 10,872 Koro Tawa New Zealand Labour Party Christchurch Central New Zealand Labour Party Tim Barnett New Zealand Labour Party Brendon Burns 935 New Zealand National Party Nicky WagnerList † † Christchurch East New Zealand Labour Party Lianne Dalziel 5,765 New Zealand National Party Aaron GilmoreList † † Clutha-Southland New Zealand National Party Bill English 15,475 New Zealand Labour Party Don Pryde Coromandel New Zealand National Party Sandra Goudie 14,560 New Zealand Labour Party Hugh Kininmonth Dunedin North New Zealand Labour Party Pete Hodgson 7,155 New Zealand National Party Michael WoodhouseList † † Dunedin South New Zealand Labour Party David Benson-Pope New Zealand Labour Party Clare Curran 6,449 New Zealand National Party Conway Powell East Coast New Zealand National Party Anne Tolley 6,413 New Zealand Labour Party Moana MackeyList † † East Coast Bays New Zealand National Party Murray McCully 13,974 New Zealand Labour Party Vivienne Goldsmith Epsom ACT New Zealand Rodney Hide 12,882 New Zealand National Party Richard WorthList † † Hamilton East New Zealand National Party David Bennett 8,820 New Zealand Labour Party Sue MoroneyList † † Hamilton West New Zealand Labour Party Martin Gallagher New Zealand National Party Tim Macindoe 1,618 New Zealand Labour Party Martin Gallagher Helensville New Zealand National Party John Key 20,547 New Zealand Labour Party Darien FentonList † † Hunua New Zealand National Party Paul Hutchison 15,858 New Zealand Labour Party Jordan Carter Hutt South New Zealand Labour Party Trevor Mallard 4,086 New Zealand National Party Paul QuinnList † † Ilam New Zealand National Party Gerry Brownlee 11,893 New Zealand Labour Party Sam Yau Invercargill New Zealand National Party Eric Roy 6,664 New Zealand Labour Party Lesley Soper Kaikoura New Zealand National Party Colin King 11,077 New Zealand Labour Party Brian McNamara Mana New Zealand Labour Party Winnie Laban 6,155 New Zealand National Party Hekia ParataList † † Māngere Independent politician Taito Phillip Field New Zealand Labour Party William Sio 7,126 New Zealand Pacific Party Taito Phillip Field (Pacific) Manukau East New Zealand Labour Party Ross Robertson 12,445 New Zealand National Party Kanwal Singh BakshiList † † Manurewa New Zealand Labour Party George Hawkins 6,726 New Zealand National Party Cam Calder Maungakiekie New Zealand Labour Party Mark Gosche New Zealand National Party Sam Lotu-Iiga 1,942 New Zealand Labour Party Carol BeaumontList † † Mount Albert New Zealand Labour Party Helen Clark 10,351 New Zealand National Party Ravi Masuku Mount Roskill New Zealand Labour Party Phil Goff 6,418 New Zealand National Party Jackie BlueList † † Napier New Zealand National Party Chris Tremain 9,018 New Zealand Labour Party Russell Fairbrother Nelson New Zealand National Party Nick Smith 8,471 New Zealand Labour Party Maryan StreetList † † New Lynn New Zealand Labour Party David Cunliffe 4,025 New Zealand National Party Tim GroserList † † New Plymouth New Zealand Labour Party Harry Duynhoven New Zealand National Party Jonathan Young 105 New Zealand Labour Party Harry Duynhoven North Shore New Zealand National Party Wayne Mapp 14,574 New Zealand Labour Party Phil TwyfordList † † Northcote New Zealand National Party Jonathan Coleman 9,360 New Zealand Labour Party Hamish McCracken Northland New Zealand National Party John Carter 10,054 New Zealand Labour Party Shane JonesList † † Ōhariu United Future New Zealand Peter Dunne 1,006 New Zealand Labour Party Charles ChauvelList † † Ōtaki New Zealand Labour Party Darren Hughes New Zealand National Party Nathan Guy 1,354 New Zealand Labour Party Darren HughesList † † Pakuranga New Zealand National Party Maurice Williamson 13,906 New Zealand Labour Party Brian Kelly Palmerston North New Zealand Labour Party Steve Maharey New Zealand Labour Party Iain Lees-Galloway 1,117 New Zealand National Party Malcolm Plimmer Papakura New Zealand National Party Judith Collins 10,277 New Zealand Labour Party Dave Hereora Port Hills New Zealand Labour Party Ruth Dyson 3,452 New Zealand National Party Terry Heffernan Rangitata New Zealand National Party Jo Goodhew 8,112 New Zealand Labour Party Julian Blanchard Rangitīkei New Zealand National Party Simon Power 12,042 New Zealand Labour Party Jills Burney Rimutaka New Zealand Labour Party Paul Swain New Zealand Labour Party Chris Hipkins 753 New Zealand National Party Richard Whiteside Rodney New Zealand National Party Lockwood Smith 15,635 New Zealand Labour Party Conor Roberts Rongotai New Zealand Labour Party Annette King 9,020 New Zealand National Party Chris FinlaysonList † † Rotorua New Zealand Labour Party Steve Chadwick New Zealand National Party Todd McClay 5,065 New Zealand Labour Party Steve ChadwickList † † Selwyn New Zealand National Party Amy Adams 11,075 New Zealand Labour Party David Coates Tāmaki New Zealand National Party Allan Peachey 17,020 New Zealand Labour Party Josephine Bartley Taranaki-King Country New Zealand National Party Shane Ardern 15,618 New Zealand Labour Party Renée van de Weert Taupō New Zealand Labour Party Mark Burton New Zealand National Party Louise Upston 6,445 New Zealand Labour Party Mark Burton Tauranga New Zealand National Party Bob Clarkson New Zealand National Party Simon Bridges 11,742 New Zealand First Winston Peters Te Atatū New Zealand Labour Party Chris Carter 5,298 New Zealand National Party Tau HenareList † † Tukituki New Zealand National Party Craig Foss 7,811 New Zealand Labour Party Rick BarkerList † † Waikato New Zealand National Party Lindsay Tisch 12,850 New Zealand Labour Party Jacinda ArdernList † † Waimakariri New Zealand Labour Party Clayton Cosgrove 390 New Zealand National Party Kate WilkinsonList † † Wairarapa New Zealand National Party John Hayes 6,758 New Zealand Labour Party Denise MacKenzie Waitakere New Zealand Labour Party Lynne Pillay New Zealand National Party Paula Bennett 632 New Zealand Labour Party Lynne PillayList † † Waitaki New Zealand National Party Jacqui Dean 11,039 New Zealand Labour Party David ParkerList † † Wellington Central New Zealand Labour Party Marian Hobbs New Zealand Labour Party Grant Robertson 1,904 New Zealand National Party Stephen Franks West Coast-Tasman New Zealand Labour Party Damien O'Connor New Zealand National Party Chris Auchinvole 971 New Zealand Labour Party Damien O'Connor Whanganui New Zealand National Party Chester Borrows 6,333 New Zealand Labour Party Hamish McDouall Whangarei New Zealand National Party Phil Heatley 14,663 New Zealand Labour Party Paul Chalmers Wigram New Zealand Progressive Party Jim Anderton 4,767 New Zealand National Party Marc Alexander |- |colspan=8 style="background-color:#EEEEEE;text-align:center;"| Māori Electorates |- Hauraki-Waikato New Zealand Labour Party Nanaia Mahuta 888 Māori Party Angeline Greensill Ikaroa-Rāwhiti New Zealand Labour Party Parekura Horomia 1,645 Māori Party Derek Fox Tāmaki Makaurau Māori Party Pita Sharples 7,540 New Zealand Labour Party Louisa Wall Te Tai Hauāuru Māori Party Tariana Turia 7,817 New Zealand Labour Party Errol Mason Te Tai Tokerau Māori Party Hone Harawira 6,308 New Zealand Labour Party Kelvin DavisList † † Te Tai Tonga New Zealand Labour Party Mahara Okeroa Māori Party Rahui Katene 1,049 New Zealand Labour Party Mahara Okeroa Waiariki Māori Party Te Ururoa Flavell 6,812 New Zealand Labour Party Mita RirinuiList † † |} List † These people entered Parliament at the election as list MPs List results Party lists in the 2008 New Zealand general election thumb|left|600px|Highest polling party in each electorate. National Labour Green ACTDavid Carter (09)Chris Finlayson (14)Tim Groser (15)Steven Joyce (16)Georgina te Heuheu (17)Richard Worth (25)1Tau Henare (26)Kate Wilkinson (30)Hekia Parata (36)Melissa Lee (37)Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi (38)Nicky Wagner (43)Jackie Blue (45)Katrina Shanks (46)Paul Quinn (48)Michael Woodhouse (49)Aaron Gilmore (56)Michael Cullen (02)1Maryan Street (09)Rajen Prasad (12)Shane Jones (16)David Parker (17)Darren Hughes (19)1Jacinda Ardern (20)Raymond Huo (21)Sue Moroney (22)Mita Ririnui (23)Moana Mackey (25)Phil Twyford (26)Charles Chauvel (27)Carol Beaumont (28)Kelvin Davis (29)Steve Chadwick (30)Ashraf Choudhary (31)Lynne Pillay (32)Darien Fenton (33)Rick Barker (34)Carmel Sepuloni (35)Stuart Nash (36)Jeanette Fitzsimons (01)1Russel Norman (02)Sue Bradford (03)1Metiria Turei (04)Sue Kedgley (05)Keith Locke (06)Kevin Hague (07)Catherine Delahunty (08)Kennedy Graham (09)Heather Roy (02)Roger Douglas (03)John Boscawen (04)David Garrett (05)1 Unsuccessful list candidates New Zealand National PartyCam Calder2, Conway Powell, Stephen Franks, Marc Alexander, Mita Harris, Terry Heffernan, Ravi Musuku, Richard Whiteside, Paul O'Brien, Youngshin Watkins, Hamuera Mitchell, Viv Gurrey, Dugald McLean, Simon O'ConnorNew Zealand Labour PartyDamien O'Connor2, Judith Tizard, Mark Burton, Mahara Okeroa, Martin Gallagher, Dave Hereora, Louisa Wall2, Lesley Soper, Hamish McCracken, Erin Ebborn-Gillespie, Errol Mason, Chris Yoo, Josephine Bartley, Don Pryde, Michael Wood, Farida Sultana, Denise MacKenzie, Julian Blanchard, Hamish McDouall, Anjum Rahman, Susan Zhu, Kate Sutton, Conor Roberts, Koro Tawa, Jills Angus-Burney Rangitikei, Vivienne Goldsmith, Eamon Daly, Brian Kelly, Jordan Carter, Tracey Dorreen, Renee van de Weert, Anne Pankhurst, David Coates, Hugh Kinnimonth, Carol Devoy-Heena, Raj ThandiGreen Party of Aotearoa New ZealandDavid Clendon2, Gareth Hughes2, Steffan Browning, Mojo Mathers, Mike Ward, Quentin Duthie, Mikaere Curtis, Richard Leckinger, Jeanette Elley, Virginia Horrocks, Donna Wynd, David Hay, Dianne Mellor, James Redwood, Lisa Er, Jan McLauchlan, Lizzie Gillett, Rayna Fahey, Craig Carson, Richard Tindall, Paul Doherty, Michael Woodcok, Pieter Watson, Bevan Tipene, Peter Taylor, Karen Summerhays, Mua Strickson-Pua, Gary Stewart, Dale Stevens, Brett Stansfield, James Shaw, Raewyn Saville, Denise Roche, Rebecca Redwood, Linda Persson, Rawiri Paratene, Lawrence O'Halloran, John Milnes, Alan Liefting, Martin Leiding, Dora Langsbury, Fiona Kenworthy, Jim Kebbell, Alan Johnson, Wendy Harper, Rob Hamill, Rachel Grimwood, Tim Gow, Xavier Goldie, Michael Gilchrist, Ryan Garland, Shane Gallagher, Zachary Dorner, Kath Dewar, Peter Cooper, Joseph Burston, Oliver BriggsNew Zealand FirstWinston Peters, Peter Brown, Ron Mark, Doug Woolerton, Barbara Stewart, Pita Paraone, Le-Aufa'amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor, Edwin Perry, Steven Campbell, Brendan Horan, Melanie Mark-Shadbolt, David Scott, Tracey Martin, Dail Jones, Brent Catchpole, Helen Mulford-Tyler, Craig McNair, Joseph Gregory, Douglas Nabbs, John Hall, Graham Odering, Linda KingACT New ZealandHilary Calvert2, Peter Tashkoff, John Ormond, Colin du Plessis, Shawn Tan, Ron Scott, Aaron Keown, Nick Kearney, Lyn Murphy, David Olsen, Frances Denz, Dave Moore, Mike Bridge, Lech Beltowski, Beryl Good, Ashok Kumar, Dave Tattersfield, William Wong, John Thompson, Kevin Campbell, Mark Davies, Michael Bailey, Carl Freimann, Chris Albers, Vince Ashworth, Shane Atkinson, Ray Bassett, Hardev Brar, Mike Collins, Alan Davidson, Andrew Falloon, John FraserMāori PartyAngeline Greensill, Derek Fox, Naida Glavish, Iritana Tāwhiwhirangi, Hector Matthews, Te Orohi Paul, Amokura Panoho, Grant Hawke, Bronwyn Yates, Josie Peita, Richard Orzecki, Mereana Pitman, Te Awanuiarangi Black, Georgina Haremate-CrawfordJim Anderton's Progressive PartyMatt Robson, Josie Pagani, Paula Gillon, Philip Clearwater, Vivienne Shepherd, Trevor Barnard, Brenda Hill, Craig Hutchinson, Justin Robson, Ngov Ly, Sukerna Amirapu, Somnath Sarkar Bagchi, Sukhdev Singh Bains, Sokunthea Cheam, Seyed Kazemi Yazdi, Debbie Lucas, Claire Main, Philippa Main, John Maurice, Jacqueline McAlpine, Elizabeth Patchett, Talatala Po'e, Pavitra Roy, Elspeth Sandys, David Somerset, Ralph TaylorUnited Future New Zealand Judy Turner, Denise Krum, Graeme Reeves, Aaron Solomon, Murray Smith, Neville Wilson, Francis Owen, Janet Tuck, Karuna Muthu, Robin Loomes, Gregory Graydon, Damian Light, Vanessa Roberts, Aaron Galey-Young, Ian McInnes, Kelleigh Sheffield-Cranstoun, Brian Ward, Vaughan Smith, James Stowers, Bryan Mockridge, Arthur Solomon, Jennifer Hurn, Manogi Head, Diane Brown, Quentin Todd, Rochelle White, John Langford, Philip Johnson, Kenneth SmithBill and Ben Party Jamie Linehan (Bill), Benjamin Boyce (Ben)The Kiwi Party Larry Baldock, Gordon Copeland, Simon Kan, Frank Naea, Simonne Dyer, Bernie Ogilvy, Anthony Christiansen, Antony Buntin, Vapnierka Kupenga, Leighton Baker, Camilia Chin, Kevin Stitt, Robyn Jackson, Josephine van Kempen, Marjorie Mulholland, Joel Sison, Grace Haden, Joseph Rebello, Robin Westley, Rebekah Clement, Alistair Belcher, Amjad Khan, Lindsay Cameron, Philip Wescombe, Christian DawsonAotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party Michael Appleby, Michael Britnell, Paula Lambert, Kevin O'Connell, Julian Crawford, Irinka Britnell, Steven Wilkinson, Judy Daniels, Vincent McLeod, Daniel Bruce, Paul McMullan, Jeffrey Lye, Philip Pophristoff, Jason Baker-Sherman, Judith Matangi, Neville Yates, Elanor Stedman, Peter Green, Mark Bradford, Frederick MacDonaldNew Zealand Pacific Party Taito Phillip Field, Milo Siilata, Matapakia Ngaroi, Aiolupotea Roache, Darren Jones, Galumalemana Hunkin, Fia Turner-Tupou, Tevaga Leavasa, Vui Muliagatele Vitale, Maifea Tiumalumatua Fetu, Lupe Tofilau Eti-Vaofanua, Craig Jones, Fiasili Ah Tong, Timothy ManuThe Family Party Richard Lewis, Paul Adams, Li Tao Xu, George Ngatai, Poutoa Papali'i, Samuel Dennis, Michael Kidd, Melanie Taylor, Karl Adams, Louise Cleary, Paul Tankard, Yih Woh Chong, Elias Kanaris, Jerry FilipainaAlliance (New Zealand political party) Kay Murray, Andrew McKenzie, Victor Billot, Paul Piesse, Richard Wallis, Sarah Campbell, Robert van Ruyssevelt, Jim Flynn, Sarita Divis, Amy Tubman, Richard Mitchell, Jack Yan, Thomas Dowie, Thomas O'Neill, Kelly Buchanan, Jennifer Olsen, Greg Kleis, Matthew Stephen, Marvin Hubbard, Norman MacRitchie, Sandra Ethell, Justin Wilson, Quentin Findlay, Valerie Quinn, Sarah Martin, Peta Knibb, Warren Brewer, Denis O'Connor, Eric Gamble, Samuel MurrayNew Zealand Democratic Party for Social Credit Stephnie de Ruyter, John Pemberton, David Wilson, Katherine Ransom, Carolyn McKenzie, David Tranter, Heather Smith, Hessel Van Wieren, Barry Pulford, Dawn McIntosh, Iain Parker, Nicholas McIlraith, Edgar Goodhue, John McCaskey, John Ring, Leslie Port, Bruce Stirling, Ross Weddell, Kelly Pemberton, David Espin, Ross Hayward, John Steemson, Karl Hewlett, Edward Fox, Malcolm Keoghan, John Kilbride, Harry Alchin-Smith, Alida Steemson, Roger White, Gary Gribben, Olive McRaeLibertarianz Bernard Darnton, Richard McGrath, Susan Ryder, Mitchell Lees, Colin Cross, Peter Cresswell, Peter Linton, Philip Howison, Nikolas Haden, Timothy Wikiriwhi, Michael Webber, Elahrairah Zamora, Helen Hughes, Michael Murphy, Peter Osborne, Sean Fitzpatrick, Scott Wilson, Luke Howison, Benjamin Morgan, Shane Pleasance, Robert Palmer, Shirley Riddle, Bruce Whitehead, Terence Verhoeven, Kenneth Riddle, Alfred Stevens, Euan McPetrie, Christopher Robertson, Peter Kermode, Lawrence Couper, Donald Rowberry, Willem Verhoeven, Mark Hubbard, Sean Kimpton, Julian Darby, Richard GoodeWorkers Party of New Zealand Donald Franks, Daphna Whitmore, Nicholas Kelly, Paul Hopkinson, Byron Clark, Jasmine Freemantle, Rebecca Broad, Timothy Bowron, Jennifer Isle, Heleyni Pratley, Joel Cosgrove, Marika Pratley, Joshua Glue, Nicolas ScullinResidents Action Movement Oliver Woods, Grant Brookes, Roger Fowler, Elliott Blade, Michelle Ducat, Martin Kaipo, Cordelia Black, Stephen Cooper, Daphne Lawless, Grant Rogers, Donald Archer, Patrick O'Dea, Bronwen Beechey, Robyn Hughes, Benjamin Doherty, Rafe Copeland, Michael Lai, Curwen Rolinson, Peter Hughes, David Colyer, Kyle Webster, Samuel Richardson, Thomas Pearce, Leonard Parker, Jonathan Williams, Peter de WallThe Republic of New Zealand Party Kerry Bevin, Jack Gielen, David Llewell, Brett Docherty, Justin Harnish, David Macartney Notes Party list members resigned during the parliamentary term. Originally unsuccessful party list members declared elected to parliament when elected list MPs resigned. See also Elections in New Zealand Electoral system of New Zealand 2008 in New Zealand Notes Further reading The 2008 General Election in New Zealand Electoral Studies 28 3 507–510 10.1016/j.electstud.2009.04.001 2009 Vowles Jack cite web Bryce Edwards 10 February 2009 NZ 2008 election review: Jack Vowles http://liberation.typepad.com/liberation/2009/02/nz-2008-election-review-jack-vowles.html Liberation Victoria University Press 978-0-86473-613-0 Roberts Nigel S. Levine Stephen Key to Victory: The New Zealand General Election of 2008 Wellington 2010 External links Official site for enrolments and for the Chief Electoral Office Category:November 2008 elections