Summary National had won its traditionally safe seat with a 9,000 majority in the general election
WELLINGTON (AFP) - New Zealand s ruling National Party suffered a setback Saturday when it was comprehensively beaten in a by-election in one of its safest seats.
Winston Peters, the leader of the minor opposition party New Zealand First won the Northland by-election with a majority of 4,012.
National had won its traditionally safe seat with a 9,000 majority in the general election six months ago.
The successful candidate then, Mike Sabin, resigned last month amid reports he was being investigated by police.
The by-election result has reduced the centre-right National Party to 59 seats in the 121-seat parliament but it retains a comfortable majority to govern with support of its political allies Act, United Future and the Maori Party.
