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

Sean Beamish

ACT Party

Why I'm standing

I am running to promote the ACT Party vote in the Waitaki. I've been thoroughly impressed with how our ACT MPs have been able to effectively deliver on the things we campaigned on during the last three years in government, and I want to see that work continue. Our electorate has experienced parliamentarians offering us representation, I'm asking you to choose the candidate you believe is best and to give your party vote to ACT.

About me

I have a day job, so I'm not asking you to elect me as your local MP. I am asking you to give your party vote to ACT to Lock Labour Out and unlock New Zealand's potential. To retain the current Government and ensure that it takes more direct action on the issues that matter most to you. A party vote for ACT restores the current coalition providing a stronger drive to get things done.

My priorities

  1. Let farmers farm, reduce red tape, protect property rights, address rural crime, no new taxes.
  2. Deliver better services for taxpayers: education, police, and match Australia on medicines funding.
  3. See decisions based on need, not identity politics, with one law for all and one future together.

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.