Pastries and platters the only clear election winner
On an NZ election night where no clear decision emerged, the only winners were the platters of pastries and snacks brought out to feed the journalists and bystanders outside political leaders’ houses.
The tradition is attributed to Clarke Gayford, the husband of former PM Jacinda Ardern, who brought snacks out to waiting journalists on the night of the 2017 election.
TVNZ coverage this year showed celery sticks, carrot sticks, chips and dip, BBQs and great kiwi favourites such as sausage rolls, mince pies and pikelets.
Amanda Luxon, wife of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was surrounded by journalists standing outside her home in Remuera holding a tray of pastries and fielding questions. She said,” Well, its healthy food, and party pies for the faithful,”
Earlier Toni Grace, Labour leader Chris Hipkins fiancée, was followed by journalists outside the couple’s Upper Hutt home as she carried a tray of homemade mince pies. “There’s a good vibe inside, the pies, they’re Nana June’s recipe.” she explained.
Food was a theme in other parts of the country as well. Shane Jones, deputy leader of the New Zealand First party, donated snapper he had caught earlier in the day to a party gathering at the Duke of Marlborough in Russell, Northland.
Journalist Jack Tame, who hosted the TVNZ coverage with Tova O’Brien, joined in using a lamington as a political party to explain overhang.
The food was a light-hearted side on a night that delivered a mixed platter of results, and no clear main course.
Over at TVNZ, their presentation graphics Jason Walls excitedly proclaimed that the election was on a “knife edge,” as he danced around the studio.
Winners on the night included Opportunity, who gained 5.96 per cent of the vote on current results, and are the first brand new party to enter parliament in the MMP era.
In her speech on the night, leader Qiulae Wong started with ” S—t, we did it!”
The NZ Green party also got their highest ever party vote,13.3 percent. Co-Leader of the Greens Chloe Swarbrick said,” It is a privilege and honour to fight for people and planet.”
ACT also had its highest result of 10.92 per cent. Leader David Seymour said, “we want to make change because we want to, not because we have to.”
For National and Labour success remains to be seen, both parties recording historical lows of 29 percent for party votes. This left National without a single list seat losing key senior members of the caucus Nicola Willis, Paul Goldsmith and Gerry Brownlee.
However National secured 42 electorate seats compared to Labour’s 21, with Labour retaining 15 list seats
Chris Hipkins gave viwers something to chew on,” Tonight New Zealand has spoken, it may take us a little bit longer to figure out what exactly it is that you’ve said.”
TVNZ showed coverage from all over Aotearoa and the world, from Edinburgh to the south pole.
Special votes will be the ultimate decider and the country will await the outcome on November 27.
Disclaimer: All statistics are based on current counted votes and do not include special votes yet to be counted.
