ACT's Brooke van Velden celebrates birthday after election win

ACT deputy leader Brooke van Velden had a couple of reasons to celebrate today; a big election night win and her 31st birthday.

Van Velden upset National incumbent Simon O'Connor to claim Tāmaki in yesterday's results – and today, election celebrations were briefly put on hold for another type of party.

"What more could you want, an electorate victory, and we wish you a very happy birthday," ACT leader David Seymour said.

Party members sung Happy Birthday and presented van Velden with a lemon cake in Auckland this morning.

Asked if she made a wish when she blew out the candles, van Velden said: "I think it's already been a pretty good birthday!"

"I'm gonna spend a little bit of time today with some of my family members who have come from out of town for the ACT Party celebrations but also for my birthday," she added.

"So it's gonna be quite nice to be on the streets of Tāmaki this afternoon as well."

ACT looks set to be a part of the next government, either in a two-party coalition with National or in a three-party coalition with National and Winston Peters' New Zealand First.

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With 100% of ordinary votes counted, ACT is on 9%. It would have 11 seats in Parliament if that figure doesn't change.

However, special votes are yet to be counted and those traditionally skew left.