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National Party candidate Melissa Lee has conceded defeat in the Mt Albert by-election and took responsibility for her campaign gaffes in an emotional statement.
"Of course I'm disappointed with the result," she told the media at National's headquarters.
"Mistakes I've made in this campaign surely have had a clear impact on the outcome [of the by-election] and I take responsibility for that.
"I'm obviously going to learn from this experience."
Lee congratulated Labour's David Shearer, who won the by-election by a majority of 9,187 votes.
"[Shearer] has been a worthy opponent and a person of integrity and I wish him well as a new MP for Mt Albert."
She also thanked her campaign team and numerous volunteers.
"I'm proud to be a member of the National Party and I'm very grateful for the support I had from the party."
Lee says she is taking Sunday and Monday off work to spend time with her family before returning to caucus on Tuesday.
Series of gaffes
National went into the Mt Albert campaign with high hopes that the recent general election victory, continuing nationwide popularity and the sometimes quirky nature of by-elections might give them a chance of an upset.
However, Lee made a series of gaffes and ill-judged comments which virtually eliminated any chance she had of taking the seat.
The announcement of details of a motorway cutting through the electorate also may have damaged National's chances.
Even in the last stages of the campaign Lee managed to infuriate a low-income audience in the electorate by telling them she was paid only $2 an hour.
Appearing in a candidate's debate in front of members of the Unite union, Lee was asked how she would survive on the minimum wage of $12.50 an hour.
"I think I am currently on $2 an hour," Lee replied.
Lee appeared to be joking about MPs' long hours, but it did not amuse the audience of low wage earners.
Lee is paid $131,000 a year and is entitled to $14,860 in expense allowances, as well as $24,000 in accommodation benefits and free travel.
A worker on the minimum wage working 40 hours a week earns $26,000 a year and, if they have children, are entitled to Working for Families assistance.
