The remaining 52 (increased from fifty by the overhang) were elected from nationwide party vote candidate lists to realise proportionality.

There were 10 resignations leading to Electoral Commission replacement selections for new list candidates from four parliamentary parties.

The Commission announced the formation of a new electorate in Greater Auckland, bringing the number of geographical constituencies to 70.

The Commission opted to alleviate population pressures by moving the Auckland City suburb of Otahuhu into Manukau East.

The table below shows the number of MPs in each party following the 2008 election and at dissolution:[citation needed] Notes resigned to become head of the United Nations Development Program; replaced by David Shearer There were a number of changes during the term of the 49th Parliament.