Labour won the party vote in every single South Island electorate, which is the first time this has occurred since the introduction of MMP in 1996.

Ironically, it’s also the same year Gerry Brownlee won the Ilam seat, which he lost to Labour’s Sarah Pallett last night.

With 100 percent of the votes counted in Ilam, Sarah Pallett received 16,381 votes, and Gerry Brownlee received 14,161.

Gerry Brownlee doesn’t believe failings in the Christchurch rebuild contributed to his shock loss.

The former minister for Earthquake Recovery has been criticised for his leadership after the Canterbury earthquake, with EQC still dealing with botched repairs ten years on.

But he denies that led to his loss last night, telling Newstalk ZB this morning progress has stalled under Labour’s leadership.

Sarah Pallett is thrilled to bits with her surprise victory – and generous about her fallen rival.

Pallett said she’s both surprised and delighted.

She said Brownlee called her last night to congratulate her.

Pallett said he was very gracious – and she thanked him for all the work he’d done for Ilam.

Monday on Canterbury Mornings, Chris Lynch will speak to some of the Christchurch winners, and talk about the future of Christchurch.

You can tune in on 100.1FM and the show is live streaming on i Heart radio.

The radio show starts at 9AM.

It’s also broadcasting on 1017AM and 1098AM

Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb will join Chris Lynch LIVE in the Newstalk ZB studio to discuss Labour’s outstanding result.