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

Chris Hipkins

Labour Party

Why I'm standing

I've spent my career fighting for a New Zealand where everyone can get ahead. I want to build a country where our kids want to stay with good local jobs and opportunities worth sticking around for. That means an economy that rewards hard work and gives young people a reason to put down roots here at home. Good local jobs, affordable healthcare, and warm homes people can afford to live in.

About me

I've devoted my working life to serving the people of New Zealand. I know what it takes to get things done in politics, from leading the country through a global pandemic to securing a record number of apprenticeship opportunities for young Kiwis. I have shown I can get things done.

My priorities

  1. Create good jobs in our local community so that everyone has the chance to get ahead.
  2. Ensure everyone has access to healthcare where and when they need it.
  3. Make sure everyone has a place to call home with bills they can afford.

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.