NZ Election 2026

Christchurch East electorate

Christchurch East covers many of Christchurch's eastern suburbs, including Avondale, New Brighton, and Waimari Beach. The electorate has been held by Labour’s Reuben Davidson, who was first elected in 2023 with 13,418 votes. Labour also won the party vote in 2023 with 34%, followed by National on 29%. The last party other than Labour to win the seat was the now-defunct Liberal party in 1922.

Christchurch East candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Teresa Butler

Green Party

Helen Houghton

Conservative Party NZ

Toni Severin

ACT Party

Reuben Davidson

Labour Party

David Mueller-Cajar

NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party

Ethan Gullery

Alliance Party

Shane Wiremu

NZ First

Alexandra Davids

National Party

Paula Lambert

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

Vikramjit Singh

Independent

Glenn Thompson

New Zealand Loyal

Helen Houghton

Conservative Party NZ

Why I'm standing

I'm standing to give Christchurch East a voice that puts families, personal responsibility and common sense first. I want a government that supports people to build strong families and communities, protects individual freedoms, and spends taxpayers' money responsibly. I believe politics should serve ordinary New Zealanders, not bury them in bureaucracy.

About me

I was a homeless teenager with no supports then became a law graduate, recently admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court. I bring nearly 20 years of teaching experience, charity leadership and community service, alongside my experience leading a political party. Having raised two sons & fostered children while I worked with families from all walks of life, I lived the challenges people face and know the importance of practical solutions.

My priorities

  1. Support parents, protect children, strengthen families and ensure communities are safe and connected
  2. Responsible spending, reduce bureaucracy and ease the pressure of rising living costs on households.
  3. Improve essential infrastructure, transport and access to health and education 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.