Helen Clark quickly departed Labour’s election-night HQ once she had announced her decision to stand down as party leader, and the crowds had disappeared by 12.30am.

Supporters’ cheers were replaced by a sombre mood at the Dalmation Cultural Centre in central Auckland.

Long-time Labour supporter Irene Symes said: “That was New Zealand’s best prime minister and I am totally gutted about her standing down.”

Another commented: “I feel like crying, but I won’t.”

Miss Clark told a press conference that she had always intended to stand down if Labour did not win.
“In politics, you have to take the highs and lows,” she said earlier.

“The New Zealand Labour Party at 92 years is not going to go away.”

PICTURE: Labour supporters visibly upset after Helen Clark announced her resignation as party leader.