NZ Election 2026

Kapiti electorate

Kapiti covers the northernmost suburbs of Porirua and the Kapiti Coast, including Paraparaumu, Ōtaki, and Plimmerton. The electorate has been recreated for the 2026 election, and is expected to be competitive as the two predecessor electorates, Mana, and Ōtaki, were safe seats for Labour and National. The predecessor Kapiti electorate, which existed between 1972 and and 1993 was similarly competitive, being held by two MPs for Labour and two MPs for National.

Kapiti candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Tim Costley

National Party

Chee-Khiang Sng

Opportunity Party

Melody Willis

Green Party

Sophie Handford

Labour Party

Michael Walker

Progressive Aotearoa New Zealand

Penny Gaylor

NZ First

Melody Willis

Green Party

Why I'm standing

I'm passionate about effecting meaningful & positive change at both the grassroots and systemic levels, for all of us – human and more-than-human – motivated by the saying, "Be the change you want to see in the world." I cannot stand by and do nothing when faced with injustice. I am particularly focused on advocating for our most vulnerable, marginalised, and oppressed communities, including takatāpui & trans, disabled people, women, mana whenua, and nonhuman animals.

About me

I'm highly analytical and resilient, with demonstrated experience in managing demanding workloads (e.g. FT work and FTE study for 4+ years). I lead with compassion and always attempt to establish mutual understanding. I'm not afraid to admit when I'm wrong and take accountability for mistakes. I share a variety of lived experiences with some of our marginalised communities (e.g., mental health & neurodivergence, hidden disabilities, queer & LGBTQIA+ rights, family violence, workers' unions)

My priorities

  1. Affordable Lives-taxing the rich, lowering power, grocery, transport and other bills.
  2. Healthy Nature-clean, swimmable rivers and beaches, and drinkable water.
  3. Decisions in your hands, not lobbyists and corporations-making sure your voice is heard.

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.