NZ Election 2026

Invercargill electorate

Invercargill covers the southern-most areas of New Zealand, including Bluff, Invercargill, Wallacetown, and Stewart Island. It is held by Penny Simmonds, who was first elected in 2020 and was re-elected in 2023 with a margin of 20,819. National won the party vote in 2023 with 42% compared to Labour’s 25%. It is one of Aotearoa's longest lasting electorates, having existed continuously in some form since 1866.

Invercargill candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Anntwinette Grumball

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

Dave Kennedy

Green Party

Janice Lee

Labour Party

Penny Simmonds

National Party

Dave Kennedy

Green Party

Why I'm standing

I want all of those living in Aotearoa to be able to live affordable lives, to be able to live in a country where nature thrives and where local communities are properly involved in decision-making that will impact on them.

About me

I have lived and worked in Southland for most of my life and have held many governance and leadership roles in education, food resilience, the arts, community housing and support a community museum and community nursery. I have also volunteered as a governance mentor. I have experience in strategic planning and building collaborative solutions to problems. I enjoy outdoor pursuits and recently completed the Tour Aotearoa, the cycle ride from Cape Reinga to Bluff.

My priorities

  1. Establish a night shelter for Invercargill's 60+ rough sleepers and increase housing supply.
  2. Continue to support efforts to improve local food resilience and affordability.
  3. Ensure our region's health and welfare systems are funded and staffed to appropriately meet need.

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.