NZ Election 2023

Bay of Plenty electorate

Bay of Plenty is currently held by National's Todd Muller, who won comfortably with a margin of 3,415. Muller is not standing again in 2023. In 2020, Labour won the greatest share of party votes in Bay of Plenty – 43% to National's 32%. National have held the seat for all but six years since 1941.

Bay of Plenty candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Pare Taikato

Labour Party

Taupo Wahed

Independent

Wendy Gillespie

Leighton Baker Party

Tom Rutherford

National Party

Kirsten Murfitt

NZ First

Cameron Luxton

ACT Party

Matthew Macmillan

Green Party

Caitlin Grattan

Animal Justice Party

Kirsten Murfitt

NZ First

Not currently in parliament

Why I'm standing

I am standing as I am concerned about the erosion of democracy in New Zealand and what the future holds for our children. New Zealand used to be once of the best countries in the world and I want to return New Zealand to what we once were.

About me

I am a lawyer with 20-plus years experience which will hold me in good stead for parliament. I love this area. It's where I choose to raise my son, where I have my business, and where I want to live in the future. But I want a Bay that is vibrant and where local people have the loudest say on local issues.

My priorities

  1. Fix the state of SH2 and SH29 which are dangerous and traffic congestion is worsening.
  2. Access to healthcare whether it be getting into the GP or being seen quickly at the hospital.
  3. Reduce the impact of National Policy Statements on our agricultural Industry.

Get across the policies, candidates and parties

Don’t know who to vote for? Policy.nz is the complete guide to the 2023 general election. Compare the parties, candidates and policies to see where you stand.

Policies

Compare the parties’ positions on the key issues this election

Candidates

See the electorate candidates running in your local area

Parties

Learn about each political party, its leaders and candidate list

Things to know...

Your two votes shape New Zealand’s next parliament. You need to be enrolled to vote.

Read explainer

  • Enrol to vote by Sunday 25 October

    You need to be enrolled before you can vote. You can enrol online at vote.nz.

  • Voting day is Saturday 7 November

    Head to your nearest voting place on the day, or vote early from 26 October.

  • You get two votes

    One for a party (the party vote) and one for a person in your area (the electorate vote).

  • Your party vote is the most powerful

    It decides how many seats each party gets in Parliament. That’s what Policy helps you figure out.