NZ Election 2026

Waitaki electorate

Forming a triangle between Dunedin, Timaru, and Queenstown, the Waitaki electorate covers settlements such as Ōamaru, Wānaka, and Cromwell. The seat is held by National’s Miles Anderson, who first won election in 2023 with a margin of 22,675. National won the party vote with 43%, followed by Labour with 21%. The electorate uses solar power for heating, more so than any other electorate in the country.

Waitaki candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Sean Beamish

ACT Party

Helen Tait

Opportunity Party

Damien O'Connor

Labour Party

Miles Anderson

National Party

Michael Laws

NZ First

Helen Tait

Opportunity Party

Why I'm standing

I was not satisfied with any of the parties presently represented in Parliament.

About me

Most of my career has been in the public sector, focussed on improving our functions and services. This requires long-term planning and evidence-based decision-making. I can offer sound experience in these areas.

My priorities

  1. Improving democracy: involving people in open decision-making, e.g., through citizen assemblies.
  2. Reviewing tax provisions by clear planning for what we want and how we will pay for it fairly.
  3. Balancing environmental protection with economic development.

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.