Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Bennett wins Waitakere in final count

Updated at 9:11 pm on 16 December 2011

Minister for Social Development Paula Bennett has retained her seat of Waitakere.

Ms Bennett was the winner on election night by 45 votes over Labour's Carmel Sepuloni.

She then lost the seat in last Saturday's special vote count, with Ms Sepuloni winning by 11 votes.

Ms Bennett applied for a judicial recount and her office says she has now taken the seat by nine votes.

The result means Ms Sepuloni is now out of Parliament.

Ms Sepuloni says the loss is disappointing but she is celebrating the great work her team has done in the electorate.

"It's been a roller coaster ride. So, all I can say is I'm very proud of my team," she said.

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