Politics

Peters' Northland margin increases

13:18 pm on 8 April 2015

The official results for the Northland by-election have been published - and show an increase in New Zealand First leader Winston Peters' winning margin.

Winston Peters speaks to media after voting in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

In the final numbers, Mr Peters' majority has increased to 4441 votes ahead of National's Mark Osbourne. On election night, Mr Peters returned a majority of 4012 votes.

Turnout for the by-election was 65.4 percent, far higher than other by-elections in recent years.

The Christchurch East by-election in 2013 had a 41.5 percent turnout, Botany in 2011 just 36.4 percent, Mana in 2010 attracted 54.7 percent and Mt Albert in 2009 had a 47.8 percent turnout of eligible voters.

Voter turnout for the Northland seat was just over 80 percent at the 2014 general election, 3 percentage points above the national turnout figure.