National's Mike Butterick has flipped the Wairarapa seat from red to blue, beating Labour's Kieran McAnulty.
Butterick is a sheep and beef farmer, who has lived in Wairarapa for 30 years with his family.
At around 10pm on election night, it had become clear the blue wave reached Masterton, as McAnulty went to Butterick's party to congratulate him.
"Mike's a good guy, and he's worked hard, and I'm sure he'll give it his all," McAnulty said.
The pair then shared a beer together.
National's Mike Butterick has flipped the Wairarapa seat from red to blue, beating Labour's Kieran McAnulty. (Source: Q and A)
"It's just the way we roll around here," Butterick said.
The incoming National Wairarapa MP began his speech by thanking McAnulty for coming.
"Kieran, I think you've done a fantastic job as an MP, we were just talking before [and] it's pretty tough, politics," Butterick said.
The incoming Wairarapa MP then expressed how grateful he was for the new gig.
"It's a fantastic opportunity, and a privilege to be able to do the right thing for the people you spend your life with," Butterick said.
After the speeches, Butterick and McAnulty went back to their own celebrations.
"Oh look, I mean, it's pretty hard to hold on to a seat when the party vote is what it is," McAnulty said.
He also ruled out going for the Labour leadership.
"Who would want that job? I don't want it, no way, nah, it's not for me," McAnulty said.
"I'm getting married in January, I want to be a dad," he said.
Part of his reason for not wanting to be Leader of the Opposition is because he wants to be present as a father.
"I don't want to be a dad that never sees his kids," he said.
When questioned about if Labour needs new leadership now, McAnulty said that'll be up to caucus.
"That's not a question I can answer tonight, let us go away and reflect on things and look at the numbers," McAnulty said.
As for his time being the Wairarapa MP, he said he has no reason to "pack a sad".
"I've had three years of representing my region, I've absolutely loved it. Every time I drive past a state house, I think I brought those back to the region. When we get our new trains, I think I got the money for that," McAnulty said.
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