Blue tide sweeps National to victory, but Peters may still be needed

The National Party is poised to form the next government, with ACT's help, after winning almost 40 percent of the party vote in the general election.

On current polling, National has 50 seats (38.9 per cent), Labour 34 seats (26.8 per cent), the Green Party 14 seats (10.78 per cent), the ACT Party 11 seats (9 per cent), NZ First 8 seats (6.4 per cent) and Te Pāti Māori 4 seats (2.6 per cent).

But with final votes still to be counted, including special votes, National may need NZ First as well to reach a majority in Parliament.

However these permutations didn't deter a triumphant Christopher Luxon addressing party members at a harbourside venue in Auckland.

"Thank you New Zealand, because from all over this country you have reached for hope and you have voted for change."

In his speech, the presumptive prime minister pledged to deliver for “every New Zealand” regardless of ethnicity, in areas of education, health and justice reform.

"My pledge to you is that our government will deliver for every New Zealander, because we will rebuild the economy ... restore law and order, deliver better healthcare and we will educate our children so they can grow up to live the lives they dream of."

Luxon also thanked Chris Hipkins for calling him to concede and told those gathered he had also spoken to ACT’s David Seymour and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters - adding that Peters said he was “willing to help where needed".

Labour hit with resounding defeat

Earlier on Saturday night, Labour leader Chris Hipkins conceded there was no path to victory.

"I gave it my all to turn the tide of history, but alas, that was not enough."

Labour is also set to lose a number of experienced, long-serving MPs, with National on track to take Michael Wood's Mt Roskill seat and Damien O'Connor's West Coast Tasman seat, while Nanaia Mahuta is likely to lose Hauraki-Waikato to the 21-year-old Te Pāti Māori candidate Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke.

Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and James Shaw on election night. Photo/ Supplied/ RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Greens celebrate historic result

It wasn't all doom and gloom for parties on the centre-left however.

The Green Party looks to have had a historic election result, winning three electorate seats, as well as close to 11 per cent of the party vote - making it the third largest party in Parliament.

An exuberant Marama Davidson thanked party faithful at a packed waterfront bar in Auckland, alongside co-leader James Shaw.

"Let me be clear, your work has delivered a Green Party campaign that has once again defied history," she told supporters to rapturous applause.

The latest vote counts indicate that incumbent Chlöe Swarbrick is poised to retake her Auckland seat over National's Mahesh Muralidhar, while Wellington Central candidate Tamatha Paul is well ahead of Labour and Julie Genter is leading a close race in the Rongotai electorate.

The Greens will also be expecting its numbers are bolstered by special votes, particularly from overseas voters, which could push the party's polling above its 2011 result of 11.06 per cent.

Pacific MPs: Who's in and out

As of Sunday morning, Green list MP Fa'anana Efeso Collins is set be the newest Pacific addition to Parliament for the next term.

While National's Angee Nicholas has pulled off a stunning victory if she was to hold off Phil Twyford in Te Atatu. But according to preliminary results she only holds a slender 30 vote lead over the Labour Party incumbent, so special votes are crucial before she can be confirmed as an MP.

National Party list candidate Agnes Loheni is just outside the line to enter Parliament, due to her party winning 45 electorates, which means it will only bring in five list MPs on current results. However if special votes swing back in National's favour, she could also find herself returning to life as an MP.

But it's less good news for Labour list MPs Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki and Dan Rosewarne who will both not be returning in this term.

While Takanini electorate MP Anae Neru Leavasa and Ōtaki incumbent Terisa Ngobi have also lost their seats to their National Party rivals.

However the Green's Teanau Tuiono and Labour's Carmel Sepuloni, Barbara Edmonds, Jenny Salesa and Tangi Ukitere look to have all retained their places, while Lemauga Lydia Sosene will be Māngere's new electorate MP, having previously served in Parliament as a Labour list MP.