As counting closed on New Zealand’s election night, the main focus of Kiwi commentators was on the performance of Labour leader Jacinda Ardern, and the fact that ageing maverick Winston Peters won sufficient seats to make him the arbiter of who will form New Zealand’s next government.

But surely the most remarkable thing is that PM Bill English and his National party won the election campaign, and won more seats than his Left challengers, Labour and Green, combined.