NZ Election 2023

Dunedin electorate

Dunedin covers most of central Dunedin and the western and northern hill suburbs. It includes Waikouaiti in the north and Port Chalmers and the Otago Peninsula in the east. The seat is currently held by Labour's David Clark, who won safely with a margin of 15,521. Clark is not standing again in 2023. In 2020, Labour won the greatest share of party votes in Dunedin – 55% to Green's 18%. Labour have held the seat for all but three years since 1928.

Dunedin candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Jim O'Malley

Independent

Cyndee Elder

New Conservatives

Michael Woodhouse

National Party

Adrian McDermott

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

Rachel Brooking

Labour Party

Steve Lawton

New Zealand Loyal

Pamela Taylor

Independent

Francisco Hernandez

Green Party

Tim Newman

ACT Party

Ben Peters

The Opportunities Party (TOP)

Keegan Langeveld

NZ First

Ben Peters

The Opportunities Party (TOP)

Not currently in parliament

Why I'm standing

I believe that everyone deserves a genuine opportunity for a good life, but to get there, we need a fresh voice and new ideas. I want to create a fairer future for everyone, with sensible policy that works. I want to bring more representation for Dunedin as we face serious hardships with staff cuts at the university and polytechnic and a slow hospital build. Dunedin has been left behind, it's time we change that.

About me

With a PhD in Biochemistry, I've been instrumental in shaping several of TOP's environmental and climate resilience policies, drawing from a strong background in science, sustainability, and health. My dedication extends to community service, evident through my service on my local church board and on the Mornington School Board of Trustees. Dunedin has been home to my family for four generations and I hope my children will be proud to call it home as well.

My priorities

  1. Reduce emissions rapidly by introducing a stronger emissions trading scheme, biodiversity credits and electrifying our bus fleet.
  2. Work collaboratively to develop a long-term plan to fund teaching and research at Otago University.
  3. Bring back the Southerner! Affordable and accessible commuter rail between Dunedin and Christchurch.

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.