Tauranga-based New Zealand First MP Clayton Mitchell will be returning to parliament for a second term on his party's list – but this time he will be part of the government.

When SunLive caught up with him this morning he was preparing to watch the Joseph Parker/Hughie Fury match with some family and friends.

However, it was a different kind of blood sport – politics – he was interested in talking about.

He says he's ‘very pleased' to be heading back down to Wellington, but also believes New Zealand First could have done things differently to get a better result after dropping 1.1 per cent in the party vote.

'I was surprised, as I believed there was a feeling out there of us getting over 10 per cent. But it just goes to show people were convinced to go either blue or red by the media focus on the main two parties.

'It's not actually about me, though, it's about the party. That's the vote we've gone for right from the start. I think Simon and Jan have both done a great job, and I've congratulated both of them.”

As the numbers stand, neither the left nor the right bloc can govern without the support of New Zealand First, meaning the party's MPs will have a role to play in the next government.

For Clayton, neither National nor Labour hold any particular sway as preferred coalition partner.

'The preference for me is having policies to benefit all New Zealanders. It's not about red or blue for me.”

And what about a possible cabinet post for the Tauranga MP?

'It's too early for those discussions. We've got three new members in our caucus team, and the priority is putting a government together. If there's a role to be played, and a person is suited to it, that person will be considered. That's how New Zealand First works.”

He says although National's party vote has remained fairly consistent in this election, the departure of United Future and the Maori Party is significant.

'The political landscape has completely changed. But we've held up well, and we can build from here.”

As to what he'd like to see for Tauranga, Clayton picks transportation and housing as two issues that need addressing.

'I'd like to see serious changes to alleviate housing pressures, mainly by cutting back on immigration and foreign speculation. I'd also like to see the 15th Avenue/Turret Road project completed, which the government hasn't kept its word on, as well as taking tolls off Route K.”