NZ Election 2026

Hamilton West electorate

Hamilton West covers Hamilton’s western half, up until the Waikato River which dives it from Hamilton East. It covers suburbs such as Nawtown, Fitzroy, and Melville. Tama Potaka has been the MP since winning the seat in a 2022 by-election and won re-election with 17,595 votes. National also won the party vote in 2023 with 41% of the vote, followed by Labour on 26%. The seat is regarded as a bellwether seat, as with the exception of 1993, the seat has always been won by the party which won the plurality of the vote.

Hamilton West candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Blair Smith

Opportunity Party

Wiremu Thomson

Independent

Tama Potaka

National Party

Donna Pokere-Phillips

NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party

Steve Phelps

Independent

Myra Williamson

Labour Party

Louise Hutt

Green Party

Kevin Stone

NZ First

Nathan Lee Couper

New World Order McCann Party

Wiremu Thomson

Independent

Why I'm standing

To make changes at a central government level that you won't find fully represented by the political parties: each party is a mixed bag and I'm another option that many may prefer over the others. An independent is like a one-person party, but one that does not need 500 donating members to stand. Even a significant minority of votes for me should mean my policies get more attention, making them more likely to happen.

About me

I have a few IT qualifications, some electrical knowledge, and been involved in politics since about 2016. Additional priorities, beyond those mentioned below, are: improve the public service; my 2024–2026 petitions; pro-climate mitigation; pro-privacy (and parental consent); reduce wealth inequality; and pragmatic social welfare. I have delivered over 30,000 flyers to the electorate. More interesting information is on my website (via the connect link on this profile), and I don't use social media.

My priorities

  1. Reduce the cost of living: maximum wages for government; target 0% inflation; import less retirees.
  2. Against favouring immigration over Kiwis; e.g. reduce skilled immigration, so Kiwis can do the jobs.
  3. More you, less Keynes. Require 10-20% community fundraising before councils can fund nice-to-haves.

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.