NZ Election 2026

Ilam electorate

Ilam covers Christchurch’s Northeast suburbs, including Riccarton, Avonhead, and Bryndwr. National’s Hamish Campbell, who was first elected in 2023 with a margin of 18,693. National also won the party vote with 43%, followed by Labour with 22%. In 2017, independent Raf Manji finished second, one of the best finishes for an independent not already in parliament in the MMP era.

Ilam candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Ken Harpur

ACT Party

Rata Jamieson

Labour Party

Mike Davidson

Green Party

Hamish Campbell

National Party

Courtney Fraser

Alliance Party

Nathan Walton

NZ First

Rata Jamieson

Labour Party

Why I'm standing

Graduating from university, I want to repay the community that shaped me. Ilam is a constituency that has been taken for granted by right-wing politicians who have not delivered. Doorknocking every weekend since March, I can see how tough it is for Ilam right now. The cost of living is simply too high, and National is not tackling the structural issues that matter. Better is possible, and better starts with Labour.

About me

I bring a fresh approach and energy needed to serve constituents well, not just tick the boxes. Being a local MP is an 80+ hour a week job, and I can serve the constituency locally and in Parliament above and beyond the standard. I have a working-class background which reflects the experience of a lot of the electorate, working from 14 years old. I've lived rurally, regionally, and in cities, so I understand many backgrounds.

My priorities

  1. Making housing accessible for Ilam and advocating for renters' rights.
  2. Tackling unemployment so the people of Ilam can have good jobs, locally.
  3. Making healthcare affordable and accessible in Ilam.

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.