Original source: New Zealand Herald

Helen Clark led Labour to a historic election victory in November 1999. It was to be the start of nine years of Labour-led government. In our story below, Bob Pearce reported on the election night drama.

KEY POINTS:

Helen Clark becomes New Zealand's first elected woman Prime Minister after the general election on Saturday.

The 49-year-old MP for Mt Albert will lead a centre-left coalition between her Labour Party and the left-wing Alliance, led by Jim Anderton.

After a count which dragged on into the early hours of Sunday, provisional results gave Labour 49 seats, National 40, Alliance 10, Act 9, New Zealand First 5 and United 1.

The Greens would have six seats if Jeanette Fitzsimons can add enough special votes to her provisional total of 12,309, 114 votes behind National's Murray McLean in Coromandel. If she doesn't, Labour will inherit most of those seats.

New Zealand First's toehold in Parliament was maintained when Winston Peters held on to the Tauranga seat with a provisional majority of 323.

The outgoing Prime Minister, Jenny Shipley, publicly conceded defeat at 11.50 pm.

"It appears that New Zealand has decided it's time for a change," she said. "The incoming Government and all New Zealanders can be assured of our full co-operation in this transition period."

Helen Clark, accompanied by her husband, Peter Davis, and greeted by a rapturous crowd at Avondale Racecourse, acknowledged the support of the Alliance and said she and Mr Anderton would begin building a new Government on Sunday afternoon.

"I stand before you humbled that our party has been chosen to lead a new start for New Zealand," said Miss Clark.

"I particularly acknowledge the confidence Maoridom has placed in us again."

Labour has recaptured all the Maori seats, with Ministers Tau Henare and Tuariki Delamere being dumped from Parliament.

Another high-profile Minister, Max Bradford, lost Rotorua but will remain in Parliament as a list MP.

The most colourful newcomer is Georgina Beyer, who won Wairarapa. She will be the world's first transexual MP.

Former deputy speaker Ian Revell was led in Northcote by Ann Hartley.

The two non-binding referendums on violence and reduction of the number of MPs were carried by large margins.