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

Sarah Pallett

Labour Party

MP for Ilam

Why I'm standing

Ilam is an electorate that is richly diverse in all respects. We have some of the wealthiest residents here, and also the second largest social housing area in the city. I pride myself on putting people first, and care deeply about effecting change for the better - whether large or small. I'm proud of my record in my first term as MP, but there is still so much more to do.

About me

I'm a proud advocate for Ilam and have worked hard to deliver for all residents and the diverse communities in our electorate. With a positive attitude, an ethic of hard work, and boundless energy and enthusiasm, I am seeking a second term to ensure the Ilam community continues to have an MP who is focused on the real issues that matter to them.

My priorities

  1. Continue to support people through the cost of living crisis.
  2. Ensure that everyone has a safe, warm dry place to live.
  3. Carry on working to guarantee access to quality health care for everyone.

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.