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 a margin of 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

Toni Severin

ACT Party

Teresa Butler

Green Party

Shane Wiremu

NZ First

Ethan Gullery

Alliance Party

David Mueller-Cajar

NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party

Reuben Davidson

Labour Party

Paula Lambert

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

Helen Houghton

Conservative Party NZ

Alexandra Davids

National Party

Teresa Butler

Green Party

Why I'm standing

I believe Aotearoa New Zealand is the best country in the world because of the richness of our Māori heritage, whakapapa, whānau and whenua. We have the taonga of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, a foundation that can protect and strengthen all of us. We are blessed with incredible whenua, natural resources, te reo Māori and a culture that is unique to this place.

About me

I bring more than 30 years of experience in health, journalism, broadcasting, education, advocacy and community work. I've supported whānau through complex challenges, advocated for Smokefree Aotearoa, pay equity and Te Tiriti, and mobilised communities across the South Island. I care deeply for our whenua and regularly lead clean ups in our rohe. As a Canterbury sportswoman and youngest of seven, I bring resilience, teamwork, practical problem solving and a strong commitment to serving our communities.

My priorities

  1. Warm, dry, secure and affordable homes with enough income to live with dignity.
  2. Accessible healthcare, stronger mental health support, inclusive education, disability services.
  3. Protect our water ways so they are safe to drink, swim and fish.

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.