The first results from the Tauranga and Mt Maunganui electorates have incumbent National Party MPs leading their Labour challengers.

Sam Uffindell is ahead of Jan Tinetti by about 4,500 votes, while Tom Rutherford leads Rhieve Grey by about 2900.

A tight race is developing in the Waiariki electorate, with incumbent Rawiri Waititi of Te Pāti Māori leading the Green’s Tania Waikato by just 358 votes.

Polls have closed in the 2026 General Election with preliminary results rolling in.

The Bay of Plenty Times team is bringing you coverage primarily from the Tauranga, Mt Maunganui and Waiariki races, as well as surrounding electorates.

According to the Electoral Commission, all votes are counted by hand.

The about 1.67 million advance votes - those cast before today - started being counted this morning.

Ordinary results can be counted from 7pm.

Tauranga electorate

Tauranga preliminary results:

• VOTES COUNTED: 11.5%
• LEADING CANDIDATE: Sam Uffindell, National
• 2nd CANDIDATE: Jan Tinetti, Labour
• CURRENT MARGIN: 4546

Uffindell said today he cast his votes, had brunch with his family and his mother arrived from Auckland.

“[We] just hung about for the day. Tidying up around the house, trying to keep myself busy and not looking at the clock.”

Uffindell said he had a “natural level of nervous excitement” about tonight.

His challengers are Jan Tinetti from Labour, Daniël Oosthuizen from Greens, Michael Carter from Opportunity, Sam Connely from Animal Justice Party, Bryan Nortan from Act and independent candidate Tim Maltby.

Tinetti, who has arrived at the Labour campaign event in Tauranga, said it was “a night of nervous anticipation”.

Labour list MP and Tauranga candidate Jan Tinetti arriving at Tauranga Dive and Fish Club with husband Dave Merton, welcomed by campaign manager Pare Taikato. Photo / Bijou Johnson

She said every vote counts and she was feeling hopeful.

“I spent the day firstly catching up with my volunteers who were working hard to get out the vote and then relaxing at home”.

Uffindell has represented the Tauranga electorate since the 2022 byelection, after former National leader Simon Bridges retired from national politics.

This will be the second election Uffindell and Tinetti vie for the Tauranga seat.

He won the Tauranga electorate in 2023 with 18,980 votes – a lead of 9370 over her.

Tinetti has been in Parliament since 2017 as a Labour list MP, and was previously a minister.

Mt Maunganui electorate

Mt Maunganui preliminary results:

• VOTES COUNTED: 7.2%
• LEADING CANDIDATE: Tom Rutherford, National
• 2nd CANDIDATE: Rhieve Grey, Labour
• CURRENT MARGIN: 2894

Bay of Plenty MP Rutherford is seeking re-election in the Mt Maunganui electorate.

Rutherford, 29, said he was “naturally nervous” about the night ahead.

He said his job as MP, and the National Party’s job in Government, was not finished.

“I hope the community has seen the tireless work I’ve done over the last three years, and some of the positive things I’ve been able to achieve.”

Rutherford said he and wife Hannah enjoyed brunch today at Henry and Ted in Pāpāmoa and did some Christmas shopping at Bayfair.

“It was a very wholesome day,” he said.

Contesting the seat are Rhieve Grey from Labour, Pualele Westhead from Greens, Cameron Luxton from Act, Tracey Coxhead from NZ First, Greer Young from NZ Loyal, and Caitlin Grattan from Animal Justice Party.

Grey arrived at the Labour campaign party to applause and cheers from a full house of more than 50 supporters.

Coxhead told the Bay of Plenty Times she was feeling hopeful about a “gold result”.

“I already have a house full of family and friends, and we are ready to celebrate.”

Rutherford was first elected to Parliament in 2023 after winning the seat with 23,303 votes over Labour candidate Pare Taikato’s 7898.

The name of the electorate changed to Mt Maunganui this year after boundary shifts.

Luxton is also a serving list MP.

Waiariki electorate

Waiariki preliminary results:

• VOTES COUNTED: 2%
• LEADING CANDIDATE: Rawiri Waititi, Te Pāti Māori
• 2nd CANDIDATE: Tania Waikato, Greens
• CURRENT MARGIN: 358

Te Pāti Māori co-leader and incumbent MP Rawiri Waititi is trying to win a third term over challengers Toni Boynton from Labour, Tania Waikato from the Greens and Opportunity’s Pāpā Wharewera.

Coromandel

Scott Simpson of National is seeking his sixth term as MP for Coromandel.

He is up against Glen Bennett - Labour; Mike McCormick - ACT; Pamela Grealey - Green; Ray Cobb - NZ Outdoors & Freedom; Steven Hart - Independent and Vincent Andersen - NZ First.

East Cape

Dana Kirkpatrick from National is seeking her second term in the seat.

Her challengers are Cail Smith - Opportunity, Darrin Hawkes - Act, Gordon John Dickson - Independent, Jo Luxton - Labour and Jordan Walker - Green.

Rotorua

Todd McClay, National Party, is seeking his seventh term as Rotorua MP.

He was challenged by the Labour Party’s Fisher Wang, Opportunity’s Finn Liley and New Zealand First’s Billy Brown.