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

Tamatha Paul

Green Party

Joshua HARFORD

Alliance Party

Taylor Arneil

NZ First

Ayesha Verrall

Labour Party

Matthew Hague

ACT Party

Jonathan Pitts

National Party

Jessica Hammond

Opportunity Party

Michael Appleby

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

Jonathan Pitts

National Party

Why I'm standing

I want to represent Wellington North because I believe our city has enormous potential. Our inner city should be a place where people want to live, students can thrive, businesses can grow, and residents feel safe. We need to restore confidence in Wellington and make sure local government delivers value for the people paying the bills. Wellington is the coolest little capital in the world and I will work to get its mojo back.

About me

I'm a single dad, a Wellingtonian by choice, and a senior corporate and commercial lawyer. My professional life has been about solving problems, negotiating practical outcomes and taking responsibility for difficult decisions. As a dad raising my children here, I care deeply about the kind of city they grow up in and the opportunities available to the next generation. I will not be afraid to take a stand for Wellington when it is needed.

My priorities

  1. Meeting with WCC to make a plan for the short term and long term plans for Wellington.
  2. Ensuring that WCC focuses on infrastructure and improving transport solutions in Wellington.
  3. Getting people back in to the city to enjoy its vibrant and diverse environment.

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.