NZ Election 2023

Invercargill electorate

Invercargill is currently held by National's Penny Simmonds, who won by a narrow margin of 224 – one of the smallest margins in the country. In 2020, Labour won the greatest share of party votes in Invercargill – 48% to National's 30%. Since the seat was established in 1866 it has changed hands 22 times between members of more than six parties.

Invercargill candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Penny Simmonds

National Party

David Kowalewski

New Zealand Loyal

Scott Donaldson

ACT Party

Kevin Patrick O'Connell

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

Liz Craig

Labour Party

Judith Terrill

Vision NZ

Penny Simmonds

National Party

MP for Invercargill

Why I'm standing

I want to ensure that the people of Invercargill and rural Southland are valued for the contributions they make to the economic, social and cultural well-being of NZ. The rural sector in particular have been hard hit by this current government and need to be recognised for the economic backbone they are to NZ's economy. The Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) needs to be preserved for its innovation and community responsiveness and integration, not run by a Hamilton head office.

About me

I have had the privilege of being a community leader in Invercargill and Southland across a range of areas including education, sport and community philanthropy. I have lived experience in the rural sector, disability sector and community development. People in Invercargill and rural Southland are hard-working, innovative and deserve to be able to reap the benefits of their endeavours and I believe too much is taken from our region to support others.

My priorities

  1. Remove unnecessary, impractical regulations and restrictions on farming stifling productivity.
  2. Return SIT to our community for continuation of zero fees and recruitment of international students.
  3. Keep existing industry e.g., Tiwai smelter and enable new industry e.g., aquaculture for economic growth.

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.