Ardern cruises to Mt Albert victory, bringing Huo into Parliament

With the preliminary vote count completed in Mt Albert, Labour's Jacinda Ardern has a huge lead over her main rival, the Greens' Julie Anne Genter, amid low turnout (scroll down for 2014 results).

Ms Genter conceded at 8.15pm.

Geoff Simmons, representing The Opportunities Party founded by Gareth Morgan, struggled to get runs on the board.

Source: Electoral Commission

Having won the seat vacated by David Shearer, Ms Ardern will now resign as a list MP and the next willing person on Labour's list will enter Parliament.

Speaking to NBR on Friday afternoon, Labour Party general secretary Andrew Kirton said he expects that person to be Raymond Huo (third on Labour's list).

He noted that Maryan Street (top-ranked outside Parliament on Labour's list) has publicly indicated she does not want to re-enter Parliament. Ditto for the second-ranked Moana Mackey. 

Mr Huo — Labour's first Chinese MP — was previously in Parliament on the list between 2008 and 2014. He works as a commercial lawyer.

Labour-Green tensions unstoked
Some saw National's decision to sit out the by-election as a clever ploy to stoke Labour-Green tensions, particularly if Ms Genter gained ground.

If that was ever the aim, it fell flat as "Jac and JAG" got on like a house on fire, even carpooling to events. The downside was a largely news-less contest that contributed to today's low turnout — which National leader Bill English will likely try to spin to his advantage.

Poor man's 5%
TOP's result doesn't bode well for its bid to get over the 5% MMP list vote threshold in September — particularly as the traditionally working class Mt Albert's Remuera-level house prices arguably made it fertile ground for the newcomer's radical housing policy, centred on an asset tax.

True, Geoff Simmons had nearly 4.7% of the total in late counting but it was in a race without National or NZ First candidates.

Earlier, commentator Simon Wilson told NBR the party made a strategic blunder by not putting up leader Gareth Morgan.

POSTSCRIPT: Mt Albert 2014 candidate vote

• David Shearer (Labour):  20,970
• Melissa Lee (National): 10,314
• Jennette Elley (Green): 3152
• No other candidate above 600

Mt Albert 2014 list vote

• National: 14,359
• Labour: 10,823
• Greens: 8,005
• NZ First: 1512
• Conservative: 719
• Internet Mana: 603
• ACT: 356
• Maori Party: 178
• United Future: 57