NZ Election 2026

Remutaka electorate

Remutaka covers Upper Hutt and its outlying suburbs, including Avalon, Stokes Valley, Maymorn, and Pākuratahi. The seat is held by Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who has held the seat since 2008 and was re-elected in 2023 with a margin of 22,344. Labour won the party vote in 2023 with 37%, followed by National on 29%. The electorate was originally spelt Rimutaka, due to a misspelling which was rectified in the 2016 Treaty settlement between the crown and Ngāti Kahungunu. Since 2020, it has been spelt as Remutaka.

Remutaka candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Zabeen Lateef

National Party

Nigel Elder

ACT Party

Andy Foster

NZ First

Chris Hipkins

Labour Party

Luke Ross

Opportunity Party

Chris Norton

Green Party

Andy Foster

NZ First

Why I'm standing

Our country is at a crossroads. Decades ago we were atop the international income per capita table. We are now around 30th. That matters. Raising taxes will cut overall income. Becoming more productive and raising incomes across the board is the only way of countering cost of living challenges and providing the money for the quality public services we want. I'll also continue arguing for de-politicised long-term strategies to provide needed long-term direction and stability.

About me

I offer 35 years of service as a councillor, mayor and MP, as well as a background in finance, investment and teaching. I am privileged every day to meet with, listen to, and try to make a positive difference whether at individual, local, regional or national level. I bring an immense amount of knowledge particularly of the areas I have had responsibility for including economic development, transport, infrastructure, energy, education, local government, housing, conservation etc.

My priorities

  1. Council amalgamation: ensuring authentic listening to our community before any decisions are made.
  2. Tiaki Wai: ensure far more reasonable spending & lower water charges. Current plans are unaffordable.
  3. Maximise economic activity/jobs inc through better use of CIT area & reviving Upper Hutt town centre.

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.