NZ Election 2026

Wairarapa electorate

Wairarapa covers the south-eastern corner of the North Island, stretching from Waipawa and Waipukurau in the North to Masterton, Martinborough, and Lake Ōnonke in the south. The seat is held by National’s Mike Butterick, who was first elected in 2023 with a margin of 20,313. National won the party vote in 2023 with 39%, followed by Labour with 27%. Between 1999 and 2005, Georgina Beyer, New Zealand’s first transgender MP, held the seat.

Wairarapa candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Lauren Craig

Green Party

Matt Shepherd

Opportunity Party

Kieran McAnulty

Labour Party

Barry Young

NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party

Ron Mark

NZ First

Mike Butterick

National Party

Kieran McAnulty

Labour Party

Why I'm standing

After nine years in parliament - three as the electorate MP - I have a track record of delivery for the Wairarapa electorate. I brought back state housing to Wairarapa and the Tararua District, secured new trains for the Wairarapa line, new roundabouts and funding for Route 52. I stood alongside the community to successfully fight the Government's plans to toll the Manawatu-Tararua Highway. I'm seeking your vote because I am motivated to do more.

About me

I have proven that I fight for Wairarapa, the Tararua District and Central Hawke's Bay. And now that Ashhurst is within the electorate boundaries I will fight for them too. This government took money allocated to fix Wairarapa Hospital. The Minister ducked for cover. The local MP remained silent throughout. I kept fighting and eventually forced them to give it back. We need an electorate MP that pushes for our region at every opportunity.

My priorities

  1. My passion is housing. Everyone deserves a warm, dry and secure place to call home.
  2. Wages that go up more than prices increase, with decent conditions. Otherwise, we just go backwards.
  3. Investment in the infrastructure that we need, from Featherston in the south to Waipawa in the north.

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.