NZ Election 2026

Christchurch Central electorate

Christchurch Central covers much of inner Christchurch as well as bits from adjoining suburbs such as Sydenham, Beckenham, and Richmond. The electorate has been held by Labour’s Duncan Webb since 2017, who won re-election with 15,553 votes in 2023. National won the party vote in 2023 with 31%, followed by Labour at 28%. In 2011, preliminary results saw a tie on election night, with special votes eventually giving the electorate to National for the first time in its history by just 2 votes.

Christchurch Central candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Kahu Carter

Green Party

George Hampton

Labour Party

Mark Arneil

NZ First

Hayden Laurie

Independent

Greg Byrnes

Alliance Party

Eden Skipper

Opportunity Party

Tubby HANSEN

NZ Economic Euthenics Party

Christian van der Pump

ACT Party

Dale Stephens

National Party

Blair Anderson

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

Hayden Laurie

Independent

Why I'm standing

To provide a campaign full of unique and excellent policies you can't get from anywhere else. Because in order to truly fix this country's issues, an outsider's mindset is needed. A framework devoid of corporate slogans and fake promises. It is my belief that running in Christchurch Central will further expose the electorate to wonderful policies such as cutting GST to 10% and universal dental care.

About me

I've lived in Christchurch my entire life and bring a real sense of kitchen table politics. I'm not going to lecture people on what they can say, smoke or think. Instead I would prioritise investment into healthcare, ending the war on drugs and much more. I'm particularly passionate about electoral reform/systems which I've been studying for several years at this point, in the ambitious endeavour of one day implementing "spare voting" in New Zealand.

My priorities

  1. Cutting GST to 10%. It's a regressive tax that harms the poor and increases prices simultaneously.
  2. Implementing free public transport + free dental. Can be paid for by increased taxes on the wealthy.
  3. Restoring the $1.8 billion in transport funding that was meant to go to the South Island.

Get across the policies, candidates and parties

Don’t know who to vote for? Policy.nz is the complete guide to the 2026 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.