NZ Election 2023

Wairarapa electorate

Wairarapa is currently held by Labour's Kieran McAnulty, who won comfortably with a margin of 6,545. In 2020, Labour won the greatest share of party votes in Wairarapa – 48% to National's 29%. Since its establishment in 1859, the seat has changed hands 25 times between members from more than seven parties.

Wairarapa candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Kieran McAnulty

Labour Party

Jared Warren Gardner

Independent

Simon Casey

ACT Party

Celia Wade-Brown

Green Party

Te Whakapono Waikare

Te Pāti Māori

Mike Butterick

National Party

Pete Arnott

New Zealand Loyal

Mike Butterick

National Party

Not currently in parliament

Why I'm standing

I have an opportunity to give back to the community that I've spent my life in, I'm a product of it. I have a deep understanding of provincial New Zealand and recognise that it is a significant driver of our economy, which drives our ability to provide the services that kiwis expect. We need people that have real world experience to advocate on behalf of communities.

About me

My wife and I have raised a family and educated them in the Wairarapa, I've been an employee and an employer and have grown a farming business through hard work. I've been involved at a governance level with Federated Farmers, Wairarapa Water Users and am also on the board of Wings over Wairarapa. I understand the requirements to be accountable, practical and to problem solve.

My priorities

  1. Back our rural sector and reduce wasteful spending, show fiscal discipline.
  2. Focus on better roads, not slower ones. Fix what's broken and return normal speed limits.
  3. Advocate for more frontline services and those providing the service.

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.