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

Tim Costley

National Party

Why I'm standing

I'm here to serve. I work tirelessly to make our region better, helping local families, raising up businesses, and fighting for support. I served 23 years in the military, and I'm proud of delivering for Kapiti as an MP, like the new cancer clinic. I'm asking for three more years, so we can improve healthcare, cap council rates, lift achievement in schools, and make life more affordable with no new taxes. Please vote for me.

About me

I put people first. I've fought for firefighters, families, retirees and businesses. I have delivered tangible results locally: help with school transport, access to housing, solving immigration challenges. I don't just hold the party line; I help shape it. I have always put our region and our people first, even in the tough battles. I have decades of service experience in the military, not-for-profits and community groups; master's and bachelor's degrees; and three years as an MP.

My priorities

  1. Improving healthcare: Delivering more services faster and closer to home, like the new cancer clinic.
  2. Making life more affordable: cap council rates, attract tourists and the economic growth they bring.
  3. Supporting people one-on-one: it's not just big-ticket items; it's helping local families every day.

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.