New Christchurch Central MP George Hampton admits he struggled to believe he had won Saturday’s election, despite watching his lead grow throughout the evening.

Speaking to chrislynchmedia.com, Hampton said it was not until around 10.30pm that the result finally sank in.

“Maybe my family members would recount this differently, but I kept on looking at percentages as the night went on.”

Having previously lived in the United States and campaigned for the Democrats, Hampton had learned to be cautious about election predictions.

“I don’t trust polls.”

The Labour candidate secured 13,836 votes in the preliminary count, defeating National’s Dale Stephens by 2,632 votes and keeping Christchurch Central in Labour’s hands.

His campaign involved 165 street corner meetings and thousands of doorstep conversations, providing some memorable encounters along the way.

“Some of them had 17 questions. People turn up with scones. People turn up with cake for me.”

But Hampton discovered a striking difference between those who attended organised meetings and the residents he encountered while knocking on doors.

“It’s people who are in their pyjamas. They’re holding a couple of kids. They’ve got a dog there as well.”

For many, political discussions were dominated by immediate financial concerns rather than longer term aspirations.

“They’re thinking about the GP visit. They’re thinking about groceries. They’re thinking about what really matters to their families.”

One encounter involved a woman who had been forced to leave the home she had lived in for nine years and was now paying an additional $70 a week in rent.

She was also relying on buses to get her children to school and herself to work.

“She needs a different government because she’s not getting by.” Hampton believes the electorate delivered a clear message.

“Overwhelmingly, what I think we saw from the mandate in Christchurch Central is that people want change.”

Former Labour Prime Minister Helen Clark played a part in the campaign, travelling to Christchurch and appearing at a fundraising event at the cathedral.

“I deeply appreciate Helen coming down and helping us out, she remains an incredible force around the world and in New Zealand politics as well.”

He described Clark’s approach as “that sort of principled pragmatism that I think Kiwis really respect”.

Their conversations also turned to threats facing democratic institutions internationally and the importance of protecting New Zealand’s electoral system.

Hampton’s predecessor, Duncan Webb, encouraged him to get out into the community and listen directly to residents.

The campaign also had its lighter moments.

“We had this 1965 Mr Whippy truck cruising around the streets of Christchurch.”

Volunteers rode four bicycles carrying campaign signs, including an adult tricycle, in an effort to bring something different to the campaign.

Hampton is now preparing for parliamentary life while Labour waits to discover whether it will have a role in forming the next government.

He believes special votes could change the parliamentary balance and acknowledged the complexities of the MMP system.

“It’s a little bit like waking up to watch a rain affected cricket match and having to kind of do the Duckworth Lewis calculations on the back of an envelope.”

He expects the special vote count to favour Labour, although the final allocation of seats remains uncertain.

“Ultimately, whatever whatever guise the government has, my role will be to advocate on behalf of the people of Christchurch.”

Hampton was in Wellington for the induction of new MPs, which involves everything from parliamentary procedures to the practicalities of working inside Parliament.

“I need to get an email account and you know a phone.”

While he can begin his work as an electorate MP, others face an anxious wait to learn whether they have secured a place through their party lists.

For Hampton, the next chapter is particularly personal.

“I’m also immensely humble and proud to represent the city that I grew up in, the city that I love.”