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

Eden Skipper

Opportunity Party

Mark Arneil

NZ First

George Hampton

Labour Party

Blair Anderson

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

Dale Stephens

National Party

Christian van der Pump

ACT Party

Greg Byrnes

Alliance Party

Kahu Carter

Green Party

Why I'm standing

Christchurch is experiencing a resurgence, powered by the creativity and determination of our communities. I'm running because I believe good leadership can help unlock what comes next. Imagine what our city could achieve with an MP who fights for Christchurch every day and puts people at the centre of decisions. I want everyone to afford a warm home, put food on the table, access great public services and live in a thriving, climate-safe city.

About me

I'm a mum, community advocate and MP who believes politics should be about showing up, listening and getting things done. In Parliament I've fought for disabled people and whānau, children, artists, safer drug laws and a fairer, greener Aotearoa. I build relationships across communities and political lines, but I never lose sight of who I'm there for. Christchurch deserves an energetic local champion who will fight for it every single day.

My priorities

  1. Make homes and food affordable: build enough housing and ensure no one goes hungry.
  2. Make public transport cheaper and more reliable. Invest in a system that works for Christchurch.
  3. Make tax fair: tax the super-rich to cut tax for 96% of New Zealanders and fund public services.

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.