Barbara Kuriger gives the thumbs up as she wins her fourth term in Taranaki King Country.
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke
Wāipa-Waikato MPs were all re-elected on Saturday with increased majorities but it was Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke who caused the biggest shock on the night in the Hauraki Waikato Māori seat.
Now the country’s youngest MP and the youngest in 170 years, Maipi-Clarke (Waikato, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Porou, Te Atiawa, Ngāi Tahu) sensationally ousted veteran Labour politician Nanaia Mahuta while Taupō’s Louise Upston won her sixth consecutive term and looks set to become a Cabinet Minister.
Barbara Kuriger in Taranaki-King Country is in for her fourth term and Waikato’s Tim van de Molen in for his third, are also back while Labour list MP Angela Roberts, who based herself in Taranaki-King Country, is too far down the list to make a return.
More coverage on Thursday.
Taranaki-King Country – Barbara Kuriger, National 21,132, Angela Roberts (Labour) 8567.
Taupō – Louise Upston (National) 21,295, Aladdin Al-Bustanji (Labour) 7013, Zane Cozens (Act) 2305, George O’Connor Patena (Greens) 2666, Tira Pehi (New Zealand First) 1797, Gordon Wilson (New Zealand Loyal) 1124.
Waikato – Tim van de Molen (National) 22,692, Jamie Toko (Labour) 7104, Stuart Husband (New Zealand First) 2982, Megan Owen (The Opportunities Party) 1175, Lois Dornan 335.
Hauraki-Waikato – Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke (Te Pāti Māori) 8825, Nanaia Mahuta (Labour) 7459
L-r Louise Upston, partner Hamish Craig and sister Rebecca Gibson of Te Awamutu on Election night 2023.
Tim van de Molen, wife Hilary, daughter Isobella and son Arthur on Sunday following his victory in Waikato.
