National's Jacqui Dean is opening a healthy lead over Labour's David Parker in the Waitaki electorate.
In the 2005 election, Mrs Dean beat Mr Parker by 1725 votes on election night to win the former Otago electorate.
Tonight, she has 6619 votes to lead by 3336 with 8611 votes counted.
In South Dunedin, Labour newcomer Clare Curran is pulling away with 4726 votes. That puts her almost 1700 ahead of National's Conway Powell, who has 3050.
And in Dunedin North incumbent Pete Hodgson has a handy lead over his closest rival with 2482 votes. National's Michael Woodhouse has 1312 votes.
Elsewhere in the South, National's Bill English has a commanding early lead in Clutha-Southland, with 7527 votes. His closest rival Don Pryde (Labour), has 1930 votes.
And in Invercargill, National's Eric Roy leads with 7611 votes, ahead of Labour's Lesley Soper who has 3726.
