Labor has called the seat of Kiama for its candidate Katelin McInerney.

So, after coming close two years ago, Katelin McInerney is now the member for Kiama - and the first female to hold the seat.

The win marks the first time since 1996 when a state government won a seat it didn't hold, when Labor took the northern NSW seat of Clarence from the Nationals.

Ms McInerney's win puts the seat of Kiama back in Labor's hands for the first time since Matt Brown held it from 1999-2011.

It also brings Labor - who was in minority government at the start of the Kiama campaign - one seat closer to a majority.

While Saturday was the official polling day for the by-election, caused by the resignation of disgraced former MP Gareth Ward, 34 per cent of the electorate had already cast their vote via pr

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