Selwyn electorate
Selwyn covers much of the rural area outside of Christchurch, including the towns of Rolleston, Lincoln, and Darfield. The seat is held by National’s Nicola Grigg, who was first elected in 2020 and won re-election in 2023 with a margin of 31,504. National won the party vote with 49%, followed by Labour with 18%. The electorate is one of the fastest growing in the country, having lost area to Christchurch following the last three electorate censuses. This had the effect of redistributing Grigg outside of her electorate in the 2025 electorate changes.
Selwyn candidates
Explore the candidates in your area
Sunita Gautam
Why I'm standing
I am running for Parliament because I believe politics should be about people, their hopes, their families, and the future they want to build.
About me
I would make a good elected representative because I bring experience, empathy, integrity and a strong commitment to service. As an educator, community leader and Chair of a Community Board, I have learned to listen, work across differences and deliver practical outcomes. Having built my life in New Zealand for more than two decades, I understand the importance of opportunity and belonging. I would be an accessible, hardworking and honest voice for all Selwyn residents.
My priorities
- Support Selwyn's growth with better roads, schools, transport, healthcare and community facilities.
- Ease cost-of-living pressures by improving housing affordability and supporting secure local jobs.
- Strengthen Selwyn communities by ensuring residents and local groups have a strong voice.
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 explainerEnrol 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.
