Winston Peters has won the Northland by-election, ahead of his nearest rival by nearly 4,000 votes.
In his victory speech last night at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Russell, Peters told his crowd of supporters that differences must now be put aside.
"We are under no illusion of the massive job we have ahead of us, we must restore this province's rightful position in New Zealand," he said.
With 100% of the votes counted, the New Zealand First leader gained 15,359 votes.
National candidate Mark Osborne secured 11,347 votes followed by Labour's Willow-Jean Prime with 1,315.
Osborne's campaign manager Steven Joyce says Northlanders voted for Peters because of a case of "better the devil you know".
He said Osborne ran an outstanding campaign and hoped he had a future with the National Party.
PRELIMINARY RESULTS
Winston Peters - New Zealand First - 15,359 votes
Mark Osborne - National - 11,347 votes
Willow-Jean Prime - Labour - 1,315 votes
Joe Carr - Focus New Zealand - 107 votes
Maki Herbert - Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party - 85 votes
Robin Grieve - ACT - 66 votes
Rueben Porter - Mana - 55 votes
Rob Painting - Climate Party - 38 votes
Bruce Rogan - independent - 22 votes
Adrian Bonner - independent - 17 votes
Adam Holland - independent - 14 votes
Source: ONE News
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