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

Sophie Handford

Labour Party

Why I'm standing

Kapiti is where I was born and grew up, and I care deeply about our people and our natural environment. In such a consequential election, our community needs grounded leadership that translates grassroots values into real action in Parliament. I want to build a thriving, sustainable future for our home by delivering quality local jobs, healthy warm homes, accessible healthcare, and real action on the cost of living.

About me

I bring a strong track record in movement building and proven local governance experience. Having served two terms on the Kāpiti Coast District Council, chairing Strategy, Operations, and Finance, I know how to bridge community conversations with effective policy-making. I will bring an energetic, collaborative voice to Parliament to deliver practical solutions for our Kapiti electorate, through listening and being tenacious and persistent until we see change.

My priorities

  1. Tackling the cost of living: Free GP visits, solar and a $20 per week cap on public transport fares.
  2. Investing in health: Nobody should wait weeks to see a doctor, or travel far for basic care.
  3. Fighting to bring back the work that keeps people here, as well as building the homes we 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.