7.40pm:Incumbent MP Rachel Boyack has joined her Labour Party team and supporters at EFKS Nelson (Congregational Christian Church of Samoa in Nelson).
Rachel, who “drank a lot of coffee” today, says with the first results trickling in Rachel says “it's going to be another nail biter”.
“It looks like we're going to be up for another long night,” she says.
“Really proud of the huge amount of volunteers that we had out, 1000s of doors knocked on, amazing team, and I'm really proud of them.”
Rachel was first elected as Nelson MP in 2020, dethroning Nick Smith, who held the seat for close to three decades.
Nelson Green Party candidate Rohan O’Neill-Stevens is with supporters, friends and family at Arden in central Nelson where the vibe is relaxed and welcoming.
Rohan is feeling excited and spent the day “setting up” their headquarters for the night.
“I refuse to delegate that because it gives you something very practical and useful to do… It’s been non-stop but very enjoyable. We’re here to celebrate the immense hard work that’s gone into the campaign.”
Rohan says the thing they have heard most from voters during the campaign is “a deep desire to see some change”, particularly with the cost of living concerns.
They're feeling confident with the early results coming in.
“Should the results go our way, I’m really looking forward to fighting for our region and delivering the change needed for all Nelsonians to live a good life.”
7.30pm: 734 votes separate National candidate Blair Cameron, who is currently leading the race, and incumbent Nelson MP, Labour's Rachel Boyack with nearly 30 per cent of votes counted.
In West Coast-Tasman, Katie Milne is more than 1900 votes ahead of Labour's Rory Paterson, with just over 8% of votes counted.
7.15pm: 933 votes separate National candidate Blair Cameron, who is currently leading the race, and incumbent Nelson MP, Labour's Rachel Boyack with 17% of votes counted.
In West Coast-Tasman, Katie Milne is more than 1700 votes ahead of Labour's Rory Paterson, with just over 7% of votes counted.
7pm: Voting is now closed in the 2026 General Election, and local candidates are gathering to celebrate their campaigns.
Top South Now will bring you live coverage throughout the evening as the counting progresses.
The last election saw just 26 votes separate National candidate Blair Cameron and incumbent Nelson MP, Labour's Rachel Boyack.
As voting closed and election results loomed, Nelson National candidate Blair Cameron was reflecting on a campaign run at full speed.
Speaking at his election night gathering at Saxton Oval Pavilion, Cameron said he was proud of the positive campaign his team had delivered.
"We've run a relentlessly positive, super high energy campaign," Blair says.
"I've loved every minute of it. I've got some amazing team of people who have been helping me every step of the way.
"Yeah, left it all out there."
After weeks of campaigning, candidate visits and long days on the trail, election day itself was unexpectedly quiet.
Blair says he woke early despite running on little sleep after a busy few weeks.
"I thought I'd sleep lots, but no, I woke up at six after three or four hours sleep."
Instead, he spent the day catching up on everyday tasks that had taken a back seat during the campaign.
"I went and did park run, so ran 5km.
"Did a couple of things that I haven't done for a while, like went grocery shopping, did my laundry and watched the cricket."
Blair had already cast his vote, voting on the first day advance voting opened.
As campaigning officially ended and the usual flood of political news disappeared, he reflected on the strange transition from campaign mode to election night suspense.
"You're going way more than 100% right up until you're allowed to, and then it stops," Blair says.
"You open the newspaper and there's nothing about politics in the newspaper. That's weird."
West Coast-Tasman Labour's Rory Paterson is watching the voting updates alongside friends and family at the Greymouth RSA.
Rory believes the election will be close, both nationally and in West Coast-Tasman. He says it is a nervous wait, but he has put a lot into the campaign and received positive feedback, particularly over the past 10 days.
Tonight, he is "waiting to see the data".
“I’ve got reason to be optimistic, but I’m not counting any chickens before they’re hatched.”
National Party candidate Katie Milne says she is feeling positive as votes begin to be counted.
Katie describes it as a “fantastic campaign” and says she has enjoyed the level of support she has received across the electorate.
She will watch the results roll in from Greymouth's Ashley Hotel alongside friends and family.
Rachel Boyack is yet to arrive at her campaign celebration.
