NZ Election 2023

Whanganui electorate

Whanganui is currently held by Labour's Steph Lewis, who won comfortably with a margin of 8,191. In 2020, Labour won the greatest share of party votes in Whanganui – 51% to National's 26%. The electorate has existed since the third parliament in 1860 and has changed hands more 23 times between members of more than six parties – including New Zealand's eighth prime minister Julius Vogel.

Whanganui candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Steph Lewis

Labour Party

Sandra Kyle

Animal Justice Party

Carl Bates

National Party

Marion Sanson

Green Party

William Arnold

NZ First

Craig Dredge

ACT Party

Sandra Kyle

Animal Justice Party

Not currently in parliament

Why I'm standing

I have been a voice for the animals for decades through activism, speaking and writing. As a founding member of the Animal Justice Party, I want to help give them a political voice also. I believe in the inherent value and dignity of all animals, and I am driven to alleviate their sufferings. I want to see a better world for both animals and humans, and have devoted my life to this work.

About me

Retired for ten years, five and a half years ago I purchased my home in Whanganui, a town I have grown fond of. Since I have been here I have served the community through volunteering and teaching music part time. My years of advocacy for animals have given me a lot of experience in writing and public speaking, and as a teacher I know how to set goals, plan and deliver outcomes.

My priorities

  1. Ban greyhound racing in Whanganui.
  2. Open dialogues about transitioning to a plant-based economy.
  3. Have our local governments sign the Plant Based Treaty.

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.