NZ Election 2023

Ilam electorate

Ilam covers the area northwest of Christchurch and includes Avonhead, Bryndwr, Fendalton, Burnside and Upper Riccarton and part of Merivale. The seat is currently held by Labour's Sarah Pallett, who won comfortably with a margin of 3,463. In 2020, Labour won the greatest share of party votes in Ilam – 45% to National's 29%. Prior to 2020, National's Gerry Brownlee had held the seat since its establishment in 1996.

Ilam candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Mike Davidson

Green Party

Irinka Britnell

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

Hamish Campbell

National Party

Sarah Pallett

Labour Party

Raf Manji

The Opportunities Party (TOP)

Chris O'Brien

New Conservatives

Juanita O'Connell

DemocracyNZ

Hamish Campbell

National Party

Not currently in parliament

Why I'm standing

I want to be the best local MP I can be, delivering for Ilam on the key issues like the cost of living, restoring law and order and improving our schools and healthcare. I believe everyone deserves a fair shot at life, and I'll work relentlessly to make that a reality.

About me

I'm used to helping people overcome challenges and delivering for the people who trust me to do a job. I've built a career in cancer and multiple sclerosis research and for the past few years, I've also owned and operated small businesses. Born and raised in Ilam, I live here with my wife and kids and will be highly accessible and visible to the people of Ilam.

My priorities

  1. Support the people of Ilam to create opportunities for growth and fix the cost of living crisis.
  2. Restore law and order because I want my own, and all children to grow up safely in Ilam.
  3. Unlock land for housing inside and around our city, ensuring communities share in the benefits.

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.