NZ Election 2023

West Coast-Tasman electorate

West Coast-Tasman is currently held by Labour's Damien O’Connor, who won comfortably with a margin of 6,208. In 2020, Labour won the greatest share of party votes in West Coast-Tasman – 47% to National's 25%. It has been held by O'Connor since 1996 with the exception of 2008 to 2011 when National held the seat.

West Coast-Tasman candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Sebastian Marinkovich

New Zealand Loyal

Patrick Phelps

Independent

Damien O'Connor

Labour Party

Steve Richards

Green Party

Jackie Farrelly

NZ First

Sue Grey

NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party

Maureen Pugh

National Party

Richard Osmaston

Money Free Party

Kelly Lilley

ACT Party

Patrick Phelps

Independent

Not currently in parliament

Why I'm standing

Regions such as Tasman and the West Coast are unique within New Zealand. Unfortunately a centralised government and big party duopoly struggles to take this into account. This has worsened under MMP. I think an independent representative in parliament is the only way, within the existing system, for central government to meet the wants and needs of the people of Tasman and the West Coast.

About me

A friend emailed me once suggesting I enter politics. I asked why. By way of reply he said "You like ideas. You're inquisitive. You think and speak clearly. You arrive at opinions rather than start with them. You're ballsy. And you've done stuff already. Those are great virtues for a politician." I can't improve on his words, so will leave it there.

My priorities

  1. Enable primary production and manufacturing to ensure incomes and opportunities.
  2. Ensure infrastructure is future-proof and fit for purpose to support priority number one.
  3. Responsible and regulated commercial activities on conservation land to support priority number one.

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.