NZ Election 2023

Wellington Central electorate

Wellington Central covers the inner suburbs of Thorndon, Northland, Kelburn, Highbury, Brooklyn, Mount Cook, Te Aro, Oriental Bay, Mount Victoria and parts of Wilton. It also includes Karori and Mākara Beach. The seat is currently held by Labour's Grant Robertson, who won safely with a margin of 18,878. Robertson is not standing again in 2023, but remains on Labour's list. In 2020, Labour won the greatest share of party votes in Wellington Central – 43% to Green's 30%. The seat was once held by Peter Fraser, New Zealand's 24th prime minister, who held the seat from 1918 to 1946.

Wellington Central candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Karl Thomas Geiringer

Independent

Christopher Gordon

Animal Justice Party

Michael Appleby

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

Meg Lim

Vision NZ

Tamatha Paul

Green Party

Scott Sheeran

National Party

Taylor Arneil

NZ First

Natalia Albert

The Opportunities Party (TOP)

Ibrahim Omer

Labour Party

Pete Bains

Independent

Don Franks

Workers Now Party

Michael Appleby

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

Not currently in parliament

Why I'm standing

I am qualified for the position as I have been leader and co-leader of the party for the last 26 years since I helped form the party in 1996. I have taught law at the law faculties of Auckland, Massey, Victoria and Otago universities where I was a teaching fellow and also obtained a BA in Politics and Philosophy and a Masters Degree in Law (with Honours).

About me

I have worked as a Human Rights Lawyer defending many cannabis charges over the years. I understand about working in legal systems and interacting with the many layers of our community. I value the importance of family and community relationships. I have stood in two by-elections and this will be the 10th time I will be standing for Wellington Central. I am dedicated to this electorate. Thank you for your vote.

My priorities

  1. Legalise cannabis possesion for personal use and expunge cannabis convictions.
  2. Legalise growing cannabis for personal recreation and medicinal. Affordable access for patients.
  3. Develop sustainable billion dollar cannabis industries, to build the economy with new taxes for 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.