10 Jul 2013

Majority drops slightly in final by-election result

11:48 am on 10 July 2013

The Labour Party candidate Meka Whaitiri has won the Ikaroa-Rawhiti by-election with a final majority of 1659 votes.

The official results were released on Wednesday, showing Ms Whaitiri's majority is slightly less than her election night result.

The final count involved recounting all the votes and special votes cast in the by-election.

The Electoral Commission expects to return the writ next Tuesday, which means Ms Whaitiri should be sworn in as an MP when Parliament resumes sitting on 30 July.