MP Jenny Lātū Salesa makes it to New Zealand parliament

MP Jenny Lātū Salesa has become the first Tongan-speaker to enter New Zealand Parliament following Saturday’s election result.

The Labour Party MP said she was humbled by the result and would like to thank the voters of Manukau East who have given her their votes.

She won the election contest at the electorate by 11,318 votes while the first runner up National’s Kanwal Bakshi has 3,923.

Salesa was born and raised in Tonga before migrating to New Zealand.

The first MP to be listed by New Zealand Parliament and Labour Party in 2008 as of Tongan descent to have first entered parliament was Carmel Sepuloni. Sepuloni was born and raised in New Zealand and known to many as Samoan but she is Tongan through her paternal grandparent.

At this yearʻs election, National won by 48 per cent of the party vote and will hold 61 seats in the 121-member parliament.

Prime Minister John Key will work through support agreements with ACT, United Future and the Maori Party, the three allies that have been with National since 2008, to form a stronger government.

Other Tongan candidates:

Mangere electorate:

Edwards Saafi for Conservative Party has 1,264 votes. It was won by Labour Party MP Sua William Sio with 16,130 votes.

Maunakiekie:

Prof Sitaleki ‘Ata’ata Finau for Mana Party has 355 votes.

Litia Simpson for Conservative has 932 votes. The electorate was won by National Party’s Minister Peseta Sam Lotu Inga with 12,231  votes.

Upper Harbour :

Makelesi Ngata for Mana Party has 158 votes. It was won by National Minister Paula Bernett with 15,696 votes.

Manurewa:

Trish Tupou for Green Party has 868 votes. Labour Party MP Louisa Hareruia Wall won it with 11,705 votes

Kelston:

It was won by Carmel Sepuloni with 10,647 votes.

Manukau East:

Vilimahe Taukolo for Conservative Party has 425 votes. It was won by Jenny Lātū Salesa.

List of successful candidates: