She said she saw the position of an electorate MP as privileged and pledged to do what she could to aid the electorate’s roading, tourism and health infrastructure.
"I’ve listened. It will be my highest priority."
But first, she would have time off to absorb her win.
"I’m going to have a few days off. I don’t have a choice. Already I’ve washed my car for the first time in nine months. Next will be my oven and then the fridge."
"I’m going to have a bit of a normal life and then get back into it."
The Electoral Commission website preliminary results showed Mrs Dean securing the seat with 22,308 votes compared with Labour first-time candidate Zelie Allan’s 10,795.
The Oamaru Mail reported in 2014 that Mrs Dean attracted
22,414 votes. Labour candidate Glenda Alexander garnered just 7289 votes.
