Judith Collins says she will "definitely not" stand down as National leader despite the party's crushing defeat, after Labour flipped three more seats red and picked up another MP with a whopping 50 percent of the vote.
Jacinda Ardern began the day at Government House where she was sworn in as Prime Minister along with her new Cabinet and ministers. Ardern pledged allegiance - officially re-taking the reins and extending her reign - with her proud dad watching on.
"Sitting at this table is Aotearoa, New Zealand," Ardern said of her new Cabinet.
The swearing in ceremony came just ahead of the Electoral Commission announcing the final election results, which confirmed that Labour had won three more seats from National and increased its vote to 50 percent.
"I was incredibly humbled by that mandate. It is extraordinary to have that level of support from New Zealanders and with that comes significantly responsibility," Ardern told reporters.
And from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows - National loses two MPs: Matt King lost Northland to Labour's Willow Jean Prime while Denise Lee lost Maungakiekie to Labour's Priyanca Radhakrishnan.
"I'm really disappointed," Collins told Newshub. "Two MPs like Matt King and Denise Lee who have really put their heart and soul into their electorates."
Kind told Newshub he's feeling a "little bit gutted" and that the result is not what he expected.
"I'll definitely go for a recount," he said. "I've already spoken to Willow-Jean and congratulated her but I said to her I will go for a recount because it's so close it would be irresponsible for me not to."
Denise Lee is the MP who sent an email attacking Judith Collins during the campaign which was then leaked to Newshub.
"I'd hung on against the tide and was 580 votes up and in a normal election that should be enough but today it wasn't enough," Lee told Newshub.
Collins adamant she'll keep her job despite a crushing defeat with only 25 percent of the job. She confirmed to Newshub she has no plans to step down.
"No, definitely not," Collins said. "We've had a worse defeat before but also these are extraordinary times."
But what a difference a tiny percentage bump can make. Picking up 0.2 percent means the Māori Party is back big time. Rawiri Waititi confirmed his win in Waiariki against Labour's Tamati Coffey, and he also brings in his co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.
"Really awesome to have Debbie there to ensure we can advocate for our people and ensure stronger independent, unapologetic, true Māori voices representing our people in Parliament," Waititi told Newshub.
"Absolutely elated," Ngarewa-Packer said. "Just hugely excited and obviously humbled by the support that we've been able to receive from our whānau as well."
The Government held its first Cabinet meeting on Friday and it will meet again on Monday.
But Parliament doesn't formally open for another two-and-a-half weeks. On November 25 it will sit for the first time - that's when a Speaker is elected and the following day there's a big ceremony in Wellington with the Governor-General.
There is not much that can be done in Parliament before Christmas. The House will rise on December 9, meaning there's just five proper sitting days left this year - not a lot of time for the now 42 new MPs to make their introductory speeches.
