The National party had its majority slashed by 75 per cent in the traditionally blue seat of Waitaki in today’s (Saturday October 17) general election.

The National party returned an estimated 35 seats - and Waitaki was one of them.

The Labour party can now govern alone with a projected 64 seats.

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said she was “humbled” to be re-elected.

“It was a closer result than in previous elections, but I have never taken this seat for granted,” Jacqui said. 

She won by 3,145 votes ahead of the nearest candidate, Labour’s Liam Wairepo, compared to her majority of 12,816 votes in 2017.

Here are the results for Waitaki:

DEAN, Jacqui NATIONAL 17,615

WAIREPO, Liam LABOUR 14,470

KIURU, Sampsa GREENS 1,965

BEAMISH, Sean ACT 1,562

SHAND, Daniel INDEPENDENT 887

ALLAN, Troy NEW CONSERVATIVE 742

PENNYCOOK, Heather Meri ADVANCE 507

ODERING, Anthony Vickers NZ FIRST 475

MOWAT-GAINSFORD, Brian Clifford SUSTAINABLE NZ 164

"This has been a long and disjointed campaign, but I have enjoyed every minute that I've been able to spend out and about around all parts of what is the third largest electorate in New Zealand,” Jacqui said.

"My focus now is on making sure that this part of the country is not ignored in the difficult months and years ahead. This is a strong region that can play an important role in the economic recovery that we as a country desperately need to take place.

"I've said many times that I want to be judged on my actions rather than promises and that still holds true. I will continue to be a strong and proud advocate in parliament for the people, businesses and communities of the Waitaki electorate," she said.

The ACT party is estimated to have ten seats in parliament, as does the Green party.

The Maori party has one estimated seat, and NZ First failed to secure a seat.

PHOTO: Supplied