The final count

The final count has been released, and there's both good news and bad news. The good news is that National has lost a seat, and so is even further from forming a government. The bad news is that that seat went to the Maori Party rather than the Greens, and so Nandor will no longer be gracing Parliament with his presence and making the conservatives spit. Neither will Matt Robson, which is a serious loss to the liberal faction. On the plus side, though, it reduces the size of the overhang, which is always good.

Barring a significant announcement from the Maori party, I'd expect Brash to concede today, and Clark to have some form of government by Monday. She has the votes sewn up; the only question is which option she will choose.