NZ Election 2026

West Coast-Tasman electorate

West Coast-Tasman stretches down almost the entirety of the South Island’s West Coast, starting from the Tasman region at Motueka, going past Westport, Greymouth, and Hokitika, before finishing at Haast. The seat is held by National’s Maureen Pugh, a list MP who became an electorate MP in the 2023 election, but is retiring in 2026. Pugh was elected with a margin of 13,317 in 2023. National won the party vote in 2023 with 33% of the vote, followed by Labour with 24%. Geographically, it is the largest electorate in the country.

West Coast-Tasman candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Jamie Cleine

NZ First

Kevin Rooke

Progressive Aotearoa New Zealand

Sara Dyatlova–Murphy

Alliance Party

Andrew Beaumont

Green Party

Sue Grey

NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party

Cindie Uddstrom

Opportunity Party

Janelle Hocking

ACT Party

Katie Milne

National Party

Alexander Hislop

New Zealand Loyal

Rory Paterson

Labour Party

Jamie Cleine

NZ First

Why I'm standing

Regional New Zealand has so much potential to be more self-sufficient and to contribute to NZ. I'm standing because I believe all New Zealanders deserve equality in what it means to be an New Zealander, no matter where they live. Government should be there to serve the people and policy needs to enable people and business, not hold them back. Common-sense policy and a transparent, approachable style of government are important to me.

About me

I was born and raised in Westport and have also owned a house in Richmond, Tasman, for 5 years. My farming career spans 30 years of dairy and beef farming. I entered local government and served as Mayor of Buller for 6 years. I led my district through major floods in 2021 and 2022 and the long-term recovery. I worked with different governments on regional development and investment strategy. I'm professional and effective in advocating for communities.

My priorities

  1. Improve household affordability. Cutting the cost of electricity, groceries, banking, local rates
  2. Invest in Regions. Returning mining royalties to community, tourism levies, infrastructure funding.
  3. Cut Red Tape. It must be made easier to do business, employ people and grow regional economies.

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.