Jacinda Ardern, Helen Clark's former seat nearly goes to National

Labour's Helen White has just pipped National's Melissa Lee in the Mt Albert electorate after the pair were virtually neck-and-neck for much of the night. It appeared a three-way split with the Greens had turned the Labour stronghold on its head.

Three years ago, the then-prime minister won the Auckland seat with 70% of the vote — far ahead of her National competitor.

But this year, with around 84% of votes counted, White was leading in the electorate by only 81 votes. Lee had 9548 votes (35%), while White had 9629 votes (35%).

With 100% of the votes counted (although special votes are still to come), White had 9997 votes while Lee had 9891.

The Greens also set their sights on this electorate during the campaign, with list MP Ricardo Menéndez March on 6012 votes.

Commentators have confidently suggested the special votes will lean towards the left.

If the National candidate had gone on to win after her strong start, the electorate would have been a symbolic loss for Labour, which has held it for over 70 years since it was first created in 1946.

Former Labour prime ministers Ardern and Helen Clark both previously held the seat.

Former party leader David Shearer also held the seat.