NZ Election 2026

Mt Maunganui electorate

Mount Maunganui covers the eastern side of Tauranga and its satellite towns, including Pāpāmoa, Welcome Bay, and Matapihi. The electorate is being contested for the first time in 2026, though its predecessor electorate Bay of Plenty was won by National’s Tom Rutherford in 2023 with a margin of 23,303. Rutherford is standing again in Mount Maunganui. National won the Bay of Plenty party vote with 47% of the vote, followed by Labour on 17%.

Mt Maunganui candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Cameron Luxton

ACT Party

Tracey Coxhead

NZ First

Rhieve Grey

Labour Party

Tom Rutherford

National Party

Pualele Westhead

Green Party

Rhieve Grey

Labour Party

Why I'm standing

I've seen two versions of New Zealand: one where people get ahead, and one where they're barely holding on. I grew up in the second. That gap is why, in a country this prosperous, people are still homeless, jobless and hungry, and it's widened over time. I'm running because I believe everyone deserves the chance to thrive, and no one, least of all our young people, should go without a home or a meal.

About me

I know what it's like to come from a struggling community and family, and that shapes how I'd represent this one. Good representation isn't always about how long you've lived somewhere, it's also about who you listen to and who you fight for. I'd show up for the people growth is leaving behind: young people, renters, working families. I'd bring Labour's commitment to fair work, decent housing and healthcare everyone can reach.

My priorities

  1. Build the affordable housing our communities need so people aren't priced out of the region.
  2. Make sure health services and staffing keep pace with our growing population.
  3. Back secure local jobs that pay enough to live on, and training pathways for young people.

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.