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

Matt Shepherd

Opportunity Party

Why I'm standing

I have been disappointed with the lack of vision in our current parties. I am running for Opportunity because we are boldly looking at the long-term solutions to the issues facing everyday Kiwis. Not short term election promises. We deserve better.

About me

As a teacher I have worked with a lot of children and their families around New Zealand. I do not accept the current system as good enough. I am driven by empathy informed by regular face-to-face contact.

My priorities

  1. Improving the welfare of our tamariki. They deserve consistency and safety, and hope for the future.
  2. Making it easier to access vital healthcare, especially getting in to see a GP.
  3. Helping build stronger communities where people can support each other and their environments.

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.