new zealand general election 1981

The 1981 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Robert Muldoon, win a third term in office, although the opposition Labour Party, led by Bill Rowling, actually won the largest share of the votes cast.

Background

Before the election, the National Party governed with fifty seats, while the opposition Labour Party held forty seats. The Social Credit Party held two (one of which had been taken from National in a recent by-election). The National Party had won a landslide victory in the 1975 elections, but in the 1978 elections, although remaining in office, had lost ground. The style of Robert Muldoon's leadership was growing increasingly unpopular, both with his party and with the public, and there had been an abortive leadership challenge by Brian Talboys in 1980. Some commentators believed that the 1981 election would mark an end to Muldoon's government. The opposition Labour Party was led by Bill Rowling, who had been leader of the party in the past two elections. While Rowling had performed poorly against Muldoon in 1975, and was generally viewed by the public as weak, he had gradually recovered a measure of public respect. In the previous election, Labour had actually won a majority of the vote, but did not win a majority of the seats. Many believed that this time, Labour would manage to convert its support into seats, although that would prove not to be the case. Not all of Muldoon's opponents gave their support to Rowling and the Labour Party, however - the small Social Credit Party, traditionally New Zealand's "third party", was enjoying strong support, although the first-past-the-post electoral system made it difficult for Social Credit to win seats.

The election

The election was held on the November 28. 2,034,747 people were registered to vote in the elections, and 91.4% turned out on election day. This was a markedly higher turnout that recorded for the previous election, but as the official statistics for that election are regarded as highly misleading, the comparison is probably not valid. It is likely that turnout in the 1981 election was about the same as in the election before it.

Summary of results

The 1981 election saw the National Party win forty-seven of the ninety-two seats in parliament, a drop of three from what it had held before the election. This meant that National kept its majority by only a single seat, a fact which would prove highly problematic over the next parliamentary term. The Labour Party won forty-three seats, a gain of three. The Social Credit Party managed to retain its two seats.

Detailed results

Party totals

lign=center\|Party	align=center\|Candidates	align=center\|Total votes	align=center\|Percentage	align=center\|Seats won
a href="/encyclopedia/New-Zealand-National-Party" title="New Zealand National Party">National Party	align=center\|92	align=center\|698,508	align=center\|38.77%	align=center\|47
a href="/encyclopedia/New-Zealand-Labour-Party" title="New Zealand Labour Party">Labour Party	align=center\|92	align=center\|702,630	align=center\|39.01%	align=center\|43
a href="/encyclopedia/Social-Credit-Party-(New-Zealand)-" title="Social Credit Party (New Zealand) "> Social Credit Party	align=center\|92	align=center\|372,056	align=center\|20.65%	align=center\|2
a href="/encyclopedia/Values-Party" title="Values Party">Values Party	align=center\|17	align=center\|3,460	align=center\|0.19%	align=center\|-
a href="/encyclopedia/Mana-Motuhake" title="Mana Motuhake">Mana Motuhake	align=center\|4	align=center\|8,332	align=center\|0.46%	align=center\|-
a href="/encyclopedia/Wizard-Party" title="Wizard Party">Wizard Party	align=center\|4	align=center\|467	align=center\|0.03%	align=center\|-
a href="/encyclopedia/Socialist-Unity-Party-(New-Zealand)" title="Socialist Unity Party (New Zealand)">Socialist Unity Party	align=center\|5	align=center\|447	align=center\|0.02%	align=center\|-
IFE	align=center\|1	align=center\|250	align=center\|0.01%	align=center\|-
heer Up Party	align=center\|1	align=center\|208	align=center\|0.01%	align=center\|-
ndependent Candidate	align=center\|1	align=center\|189	align=center\|0.01%	align=center\|-
conomic Euthenics	align=center\|1	align=center\|191	align=center\|0.01%	align=center\|-
o Confidence	align=center\|1	align=center\|153	align=center\|0.01%	align=center\|-
rivate Enterprise Party	align=center\|1	align=center\|120	align=center\|0.01%	align=center\|-
iberal Social Democratic Party	align=center\|1	align=center\|107	align=center\|0.01%	align=center\|-
acific Republic	align=center\|1	align=center\|91	align=center\|0.01%	align=center\|-
itizens' Democratic Party	align=center\|1	align=center\|81	align=center\|0.00%	align=center\|-
lients' Party	align=center\|1	align=center\|78	align=center\|0.00%	align=center\|-
political Party	align=center\|1	align=center\|56	align=center\|0.00%	align=center\|-
turdy Independent Party	align=center\|1	align=center\|43	align=center\|0.00%	align=center\|-
ew Force	align=center\|1	align=center\|43	align=center\|0.00%	align=center\|-
ndependents (including 2 Independent National and 1 Alternative Social Credit)	align=center\|19	align=center\|13,806	align=center\|0.77%	align=center\|-

Map of electorates

Individual electorate results

gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Albany	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Don McKinnon (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Don McKinnon (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: B Mockridge (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Ashburton	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Rob Talbot (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Rob Talbot (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: A J Srhoy (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Auckland Central	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Richard Prebble (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Richard Prebble (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: R D Reid (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Avon	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Mary Batchelor (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Mary Batchelor (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: C M McNicholl (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Awarua	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Rex Austin (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Rex Austin (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: R G Fitzgerald (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Bay of Islands	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Neil Austin (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Neil Austin (National)	bgcolor=#F2FFC9\|2nd Place: Leslie William Hunter (Social Credit)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Birkenhead	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Jim McLay (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Jim McLay (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: H W Smith (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Christchurch Central	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Geoffrey Palmer (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Geoffrey Palmer (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: I G B Wilson (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Clutha	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Robin Grey (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Robin Grey (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: Clive Matthewson (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Dunedin Central	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Brian MacDonell (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Brian MacDonell (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: N R King (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Dunedin North	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Stan Rodger (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Stan Rodger (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: C D Bleach (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|East Cape	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Duncan MacIntyre (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Duncan MacIntyre (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: P A Dey (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|East Coast Bays	bgcolor=#F2FFCC colspan=2\|Gary Knapp (Social Credit)
gcolor=#F2FFCC\|Incumbent: Gary Knapp (Social Credit)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: Don Brash (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Eastern Hutt	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Trevor James Young (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Trevor James Young (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: A J Duthie (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Eden	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Anthony George Malcolm (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Anthony George Malcolm (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: I K Scott (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Fendalton	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Philip Burdon (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Eric Holland (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: D C Close (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Gisborne	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Bob Bell (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Bob Bell (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: Alan Wallbank (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Hamilton East	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Ian Shearer (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Ian Shearer (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: L J Welch (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Hamilton West	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Mike Minogue (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Mike Minogue (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: P O McCaffrey (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Hastings	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|David Butcher (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: David Butcher (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: H F W Kynoch (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Hauraki	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Graeme Lee (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Leo Schultz (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: G O Miller (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Hawke's Bay	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Richard Harrison (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Richard Harrison (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: Mike Cullen (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Helensville	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Dail Jones (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Dail Jones (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: Jack Elder (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Heretaunga	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Bill Jeffries (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Ronald Leslie Bailey (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: R A J Palmer (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Horowhenua	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Geoff Thompson (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Geoff Thompson (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: D G Page (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Hunua	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Colin Moyle (Labour)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Winston Peters (National)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: Winston Peters (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Invercargill	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Norm Jones (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Norm Jones (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: David Soper (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Island Bay	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Frank O'Flynn (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Frank O'Flynn (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: D H Catley (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Kaimai	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Bruce Townshend (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Bruce Townshend (National)	bgcolor=#F2FFC9\|2nd Place: D J F Conway (Social Credit)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Kaipara	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Peter Ian Wilkinson (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Peter Ian Wilkinson (National)	bgcolor=#F2FFC9\|2nd Place: N C Connachy (Social Credit)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Kapiti	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Margaret Shields (Labour)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Barry Brill (National )	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: Barry Brill (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|King Country	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Jim Bolger (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Jim Bolger (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: D H Mason (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Lyttelton	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Ann Hercus (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Ann Hercus (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: Simon Stamers-Smith (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Manawatu	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Michael Cox (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Michael Cox (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: D G Kessell (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Mangere	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|David Lange (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: David Lange (Labour)	bgcolor=#F2FFC9\|2nd Place: J F Pettit (Social Credit)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Manurewa	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Roger Douglas (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Roger Douglas (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: K T Ralph (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Marlborough	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Doug Kidd (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Doug Kidd (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: G E Macann (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Matamata	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|John Luxton (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: John Luxton (National)	bgcolor=#F2FFC9\|2nd Place: D R Mawdsley (Social Credit)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Miramar	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Peter Neilson (Labour)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Bill Young (National)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: Bill Young (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Mount Albert	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Helen Clark (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: W W Freer (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: W W Moyes (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Napier	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Geoff Braybrooke (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Gordon Christie (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: K J Rose (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Nelson	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Philip Woolaston (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Mel Courtney (Labour)	bgcolor=#EEEEEE\|2nd Place: Mel Courtney (Independent)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|New Lynn	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Jonathan Hunt (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Jonathan Hunt (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: R A Hanson (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|New Plymouth	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Tony Friedlander (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Tony Friedlander (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: D W Duggan (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|North Shore	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|George Gair (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: George Gair (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: P G Chambers (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Ohariu	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Hugh Templeton (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Hugh Templeton (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: N R Ely (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Onehunga	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Fred Gerbic (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Fred Gerbic (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: Sue Wood (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Otago	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Warren Cooper (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Warren Cooper (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: B O Griffiths (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Otahuhu	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Bob Tizard (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Bob Tizard (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: S McDowell (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Pahiatua	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|John Falloon (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: John Falloon (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: Bill Sutton (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Pakuranga	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Pat Hunt (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Pat Hunt (National)	bgcolor=#F2FFC9\|2nd Place: Neil Morrison (Social Credit)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Palmerston North	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Trevor De Cleene (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Joe Walding (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: Brian Elwood (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Papakura	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Merv Wellington (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Merv Wellington (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: J S Cheeseman (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Papanui	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Mike Moore (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Mike Moore (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: B S Keeley (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Papatoetoe	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Eddie Isbey (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Eddie Isbey (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: R McKeen (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Pencarrow	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Fraser Colman (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Fraser Colman (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: Willard Amaru (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Porirua	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Gerry Wall (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Gerry Wall (Labour)	bgcolor=#F2FFC9\|2nd Place: E A Brittain (Social Credit)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Rangiora	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Derek Quigley (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Derek Quigley (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: C G M Hayward (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Rangiriri	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Bill Birch (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Bill Birch (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: R Hayward (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Rangitikei	bgcolor=#F2FFC9 colspan=2\|Bruce Beetham (Social Credit)
gcolor=#F2FFC9\|Incumbent: Bruce Beetham (Social Credit)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: P M Bardwell (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Remuera	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|David Highet (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: David Highet (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: Judith Tizard (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Roskill	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Phil Goff (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Arthur Faulkner (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: C A Parsons (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Rotorua	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Paul East (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Paul East (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: Johnny Lepper (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|St. Albans	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|David Caygill (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: David Caygill (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: J D Baker (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|St. Kilda	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Michael Cullen (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Bill Fraser (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: Stewart Clark (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Selwyn	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Ruth Richardson (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Colin McLachlan (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: W E Woods (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Sydenham	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|John Kirk (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: John Kirk (Labour)	bgcolor=#F2FFC9\|2nd Place: R R Bach (Social Credit)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Tamaki	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Robert Muldoon (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Robert Muldoon (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: Richard Northey (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Taranaki	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|David Thompson (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: David Thompson (National)	bgcolor=#F2FFC9\|2nd Place: B J Heilihy (Social Credit)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Tarawera	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Ian McLean (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Ian McLean (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: N Scott (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Tasman	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Bill Rowling (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Bill Rowling (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: E L Krammer (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Taupo	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Roger McClay (National)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: J W Ridley (Labour)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: J W Ridley (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Tauranga	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Keith Allen (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Keith Allen (National)	bgcolor=#F2FFC9\|2nd Place: T P Hills (Social Credit)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Te Atatu	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Michael Bassett (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Michael Bassett (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: S Noble (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Timaru	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Basil Arthur (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Basil Arthur (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: Jane Coughlan (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Waikato	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Sinon Upton (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Simon Upton (National)	bgcolor=#F2FFC9\|2nd Place: N W Johnstone (Social Credit)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Waipa	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Marilyn Waring (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Marilyn Waring (National)	bgcolor=#F2FFC9\|2nd Place: J I Kilbride (Social Credit)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Wairarapa	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Ben Couch (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Ben Couch (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: T Gemmell (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Waitakere	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Ralph Maxwell (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Ralph Maxwell (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: M R Gummer (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Waitaki	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Jonathan Elworthy (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Jonathan Elworthy (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: Jim Sutton (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Waitotara	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Venn Young (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Venn Young (National)	bgcolor=#F2FFC9\|2nd Place: S K Gray (Social Credit)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Wallace	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|Derek Angus (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Derek Angus (National)	bgcolor=#F2FFC9\|2nd Place: O W Horton (Social Credit)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Wanganui	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Russell Marshall (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Russell Marshall (Labour)	bgcolor=#F2FFC9\|2nd Place: Terry Heffernan (Social Credit)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Wellington Central	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Fran Wilde (Labour)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: Ken Comber (National)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: Ken Comber (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|West Coast	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Kerry Burke (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Kerry Burke (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: D J Truman (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Western Hutt	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|John Terris (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: John Terris (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: J W Tanner (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Whangarei	bgcolor=#DDEEFF colspan=2\|John Banks (National)
gcolor=#DDEEFF\|Incumbent: John Elliot (National)	bgcolor=#FFE8E8\|2nd Place: M E Penney (Labour)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Yaldhurst	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Mick Connelly (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Mick Connelly (Labour)	bgcolor=#DDEEFF\|2nd Place: M E Murray (National)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Eastern Maori	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Peter Tapsell (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Paraone Rewiti (Labour)	bgcolor=#E9DFCC\|2nd Place: A Tahana (Mana Motuhake)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Northern Maori	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Bruce Gregory (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Bruce Gregory (Labour)	bgcolor=#E9DFCC\|2nd Place: Matiu Rata (Mana Motuhake)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Southern Maori	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan (Labour)	bgcolor=#E9DFCC\|2nd Place: N A Reedy (Mana Motuhake)
gcolor=#EEEEEE rowspan=2 align=center\|Western Maori	bgcolor=#FFE8E8 colspan=2\|Koro Wetere (Labour)
gcolor=#FFE8E8\|Incumbent: Koro Wetere (Labour)	bgcolor=#E9DFCC\|2nd Place: Eva Rickard (Mana Motuhake)

Summary of changes

The seats of Hunua, Kapiti, Miramar, and Wellington Central were won from incumbent National MPs by Labour challengers. The challengers in question were Colin Moyle, Margaret Shields, Peter Nielson, and Fran Wilde, respectively. The defeated incumbents were Winston Peters, Barry Brill, Bill Young, and Ken Comber, respectively.
The seat of Taupo was won from the incumbent Labour MP by a National challenger. The challenger was Roger McClay and the defeated incumbent was J W Ridley.
The seats of Heretaunga, Mt. Albert, Napier, Nelson, Palmerston North, Roskill, St. Kilda, and Northern Maori were passed from incumbent Labour MPs to new Labour MPs. In Nelson, the seat was retained by Labour despite the sitting Labour MP, Mel Courtney, breaking from the party and standing as an independent.
The seats of Fendalton, Hauraki, Selwyn, and Whangarei were passed from incumbent National MPs to new National MPs. Two of these changes were the result of MPs retiring, but two (in Selwyn and Whangarei) were the result of controversial challenges to the re-selection of the incumbents. In Selwyn, Ruth Richardson successfully challenged the re-nomination of incumbent Colin McLachlan, and in Whangarei, John Banks successfully challenged the re-nomination of incumbent John Elliot.

1981

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