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

Lauren Craig

Green Party

Why I'm standing

I'm standing because I believe we can do better. We're facing a cost of living crisis, a climate crisis, and an inequality crisis. Too many people are trying to shift the blame onto vulnerable communities instead of addressing the root causes of these issues. I am standing with the Green Party because we want to change things, and we're proposing the sort of big policies that will make a real difference.

About me

I am a relentless advocate for change, and that is the passion I would bring with me to Parliament. In 2022, I co-founded Students for Climate Solutions and took the Government to court for allowing of oil and gas exploration in Taranaki. Following that, I organised the campaign against the Government's ban on puberty blockers. I've worked in politics and public policy, and would love to use these skills for all of us.

My priorities

  1. Affordable Lives- taxing the rich, lowering power, grocery, transport and other bills.
  2. Healthy Nature- Ensuring you can drink, swim, and fish in our oceans and rivers.
  3. Decisions in your hands- making sure your voice is heard.

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.