NZ Election 2026

Wellington North electorate

Wellington North covers the central business district of Wellington City and both its western and northern suburbs such as Northland, Karori, Wilton, Ngaio and Khandallah. The electorate first existed from 1905 to 1946, and was recreated out of parts of the former Wellington Central and Ōhāriu electorates when electorate lines were redrawn in 2025. Green Party MP Tamatha Paul won the former Wellington Central electorate with a margin of 6,066 votes in 2023. She is competing against Labour’s health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall.

Wellington North candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Josh Harford

Alliance Party

Matthew Hague

ACT Party

Taylor Arneil

NZ First

Jessica Hammond

Opportunity Party

Ayesha Verrall

Labour Party

Tamatha Paul

Green Party

Jonathan Pitts

National Party

Michael Appleby

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

Ayesha Verrall

Labour Party

Why I'm standing

I love Wellington North and want to serve our community well. Too many people are struggling with the cost of living, insecure work and pressure on local services. Wellington North needs an MP who listens, works constructively and delivers practical results. I will stand up for local jobs, support local businesses, invest in infrastructure and fight for affordable services—always focused on getting things done for our community.

About me

I am a pragmatic, hardworking and community-minded person who listens carefully and works constructively with others. My experience as a Minister has taught me how government works and what it takes to turn good ideas into practical results. I do not believe in point-scoring or protest for its own sake. I believe in building relationships, negotiating in good faith and following through. I am committed to representing everyone in Wellington North and getting things done.

My priorities

  1. Good jobs through ending National's public service cuts and creating jobs in the private sector.
  2. Relief on the cost of living including capping public transport fares at $20 per week.
  3. Fixing our health system with affordable care in the community and a guaranteed job for grad nurses.

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.