National's Bidois wins Northcote by-election

Dan Bidois (right) with National Party leader Simon Bridges. Photo: NZME
Dan Bidois (right) with National Party leader Simon Bridges. Photo: NZME
Northcote has a new MP - the National Party's Dan Bidois.

With most of the vote counted, Bidois was ahead in tonight's byelection by more than 1200 votes over Labour's Shanan Halbert.

Halbert, an administrator at Te Wananga o Aotearoa at Mangere, has conceded defeat.

Final figures are not yet known but at 8pm Bidois had 7394 votes and Halbert 6368 votes with 72.7 per cent of the vote counted.

Bidois, a 35 year-old Foodstuffs executive, will take over from former Health Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Coleman, a doctor turned Health Minister, resigned to take up a role with Acurity private hospital.

He won Northcote in last year's election with a majority of 6210, down from his majority of 9664 in 2014.

Turnout was down on the general election. Around 21,000 people voted, compared to 36,995 in September.

Bidois is celebrating at the Northcote Rugby Club, alongside National leader Simon Bridges and his wife Natalie.

Halbert is expected at his party's venue The Backyard Pub soon, and will be accompanied by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Rebekah Jaung stood for the Greens and Stephen Berry for Act.

New Zealand First did not stand a candidate.

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