New Zealand general election, 2008
Encyclopedia
The 2008 New Zealand general election was held on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand parliament
. The conservative National Party
, headed by its Parliamentary leader John Key
, won a plurality of votes and seats, ending 9 years of government dominated by the social democratic
Labour Party
, led by Helen Clark
. Key announced a week later that he would lead a National minority government
with confidence-and-supply
support from the ACT, United Future and Māori
parties. The Governor-General
swore Key in as New Zealand's 38th Prime Minister
on 19 November 2008.
The Green Party
became the third-largest party in Parliament, with nine seats. The ACT Party came joint-fourth (in terms of seats), increasing their number of seats from two to five, and reversing some of their losses from the 2005 election. The Māori Party
also won five seats – out of the seven Māori seats
– creating an overhang
of two seats. The New Zealand First
party, which had seven MPs in the previous parliament, failed to win any electorates or pass the 5 per cent MMP threshold, and therefore won no seats in the new parliament.
In his victory speech, John Key announced the readiness of the ACT and United Future parties to co-operate with the National Party to form the next government. In her concession speech, Helen Clark announced her resignation as the parliamentary leader of the Labour Party. She had led the party since 1993, and had served as prime minister since the 1999 election.
The Chief Electoral Officer released the official results on 22 November 2008.
" seats as their demographic profile closely resembles that of the country as a whole) both went to National.
Notes:
s occur rarely; the only three elections out of sync in the period of 1948 to 2008 took place in 1951
, 1984
and 2002
—and the last two came only a few months early. Convention
in New Zealand expects Parliaments to run for a full three years unless the government loses the confidence of the House, although this has not happened since 1911.
The Constitution Act 1986
defines the term of Parliament as "three years from the day fixed for the return of the writs issued for the last preceding general election of members of the House of Representatives, and no longer". Since the writs for the 2005 election were returned on 6 October 2005,
the ensuing 48th New Zealand Parliament
expired on 6 October 2008, making 15 November the final possible date for the 2008 general election.
On Friday 12 September 2008, Prime Minister Helen Clark
announced that the general election would take place on 8 November 2008. This set the full election timetable as:
Several list MPs elected in 2005 resigned before the end of the term; for a full list, see 48th New Zealand Parliament#Changes during term.
received 4.07% of the party vote – below the threshold of 5% – and failed to win an electorate seat. The party's seven MPs lost their seats:
In contrast, voter turnout of 79.5% of enrolled voters came in lower than in most previous elections, the second-lowest since 1978 (when a large number of outdated and duplicate enrolments deflated the figure) and third-lowest since 1902.
Political scientist Stephen Levine from Victoria University
speculated that the low turnout may have resulted from the National Party's large lead over Labour in opinion polls running up to the election.
Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples
expressed concern that only 55% of those on the Maori roll had voted.
passed by the Labour government had a "chilling effect" on political activity in 2008, according to the Electoral Commission
.
Some parties attempted to make this an election issue.
announced that the New Zealand economy had entered a recession
.
Economic downturn has led to high-profile job losses, such as the closure of factories in Foxton
,
in west Dunedin
and in southern Hawke's Bay
.
At the same time, inflation hit an eighteen-year high,
with an upwards tug on the prices of basics such as food and petrol, the latter crossing the two-dollar-per-litre mark in late May.
At the Labour Party's campaign launch on 12 October 2008, Helen Clark became the latest world leader to guarantee bank deposits, unveiling a plan worth $150 billion whereby all retail deposits would be unconditionally covered. The plan would be voluntary to join; within two days, reports appeared stating that all of New Zealand's major trading banks had signed up. Also signed up to the plan was the National Party, with deputy leader and finance spokesperson Bill English saying that there was "still time to change the...scheme if banks find it hard to borrow overseas".
s revealed in the 2008 Budget,
the Government disclosed its full fiscal situation; it showed that it expected to take $3.1 billion less tax in 2009, forcing the government to borrow $5.9 billion in 2009, rising to $7.3 billion by 2013. This implied higher costs for KiwiSaver, Working For Families and the 20 hours subsidised early-childhood plan; and higher numbers of people forced onto benefits by any prospective economic downturn. Over the next fiscal year, Dr Cullen expected GDP to rise by just 0.1%, with median house prices dropping by an estimated 10–15%.
John Key responded to the news by describing the numbers as "a bit worse than we had anticipated", and stated "I'm confident we can deliver a programme of tax cuts."
The same day Helen Clark reiterated her opinion on tax cuts beyond the government's proposal, saying "now is not the time to go out and recklessly borrow to offer tax cuts",
an opinion she had first voiced in early August
when the National Party used its annual conference to promise to speed up the implementation of the tax cuts, and to borrow several billion dollars to fund infrastructure projects such as a $1.5 billion broadband plan and a new prison in its first term.
On 9 October, National released its policy, promising people on the average wage or higher around $47 a week extra in the hand, funded through a combination of cutting contributions to KiwiSaver, eliminating a tax credit for science and development, and changing Working For Families entitlements.
declared that it would be "about trust", labelling the National Party's recent commitments to preserve Labour Party programmes such as KiwiSaver
and Kiwibank
as "insincere".
Members of the Labour Party accused John Key of lying about his shareholding in Tranz Rail
, by not disclosing nearly half of the shares he and his family trusts owned in the company, even though this presented a clear conflict of interest with Key's role as his party's spokesperson on transport, at a time when he asked several questions in the House about the government's plans regarding rail infrastructure.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters
faced an attack on his party's credibility, first over allegations that his party did not declare a $100,000 donation from millionaire ex-patriate property developer Owen Glenn
to cover Winston Peters' legal costs in a challenge to the result in the seat of Tauranga
. This was referred to a House of Representatives Privileges Committee. On 22 September, the committee determined that Peters had "provided misleading information" and recommended he be censure
d; this was done by the House of Representatives in a 62–56 vote two days later. The second allegation revolved around the party's failure to declare the use of a secret trust to funnel large donations into New Zealand First's bank account, even though no donations over $10,000 to New Zealand First has been declared, as the law requires. This case was referred to the Serious Fraud Office for further investigation; on 11 October, New Zealand First was cleared of charges that Peters called a "waste of time" and on 24 October, the New Zealand First party was cleared of wrongdoing by the Electoral Commission, which was investigating donations that the party failed to declare.
following the 2006 Census
; the large growth in population between censuses lead to significant boundary changes, particularly in Auckland, the area around Christchurch and the central North Island. In May 2007, the Representation Commission announced the boundary changes
to take effect for the next general election, with the boundaries finalised in September 2007.
The Commission announced the formation of a new electorate in Greater Auckland, bringing the number of geographical constituencies to 70. The new seat, originally dubbed "Howick
" (after the Auckland suburb), would have included parts of the existing Pakuranga, Manukau East and Clevedon electorates. After Pakuranga
electors made strong objections to the proposed changes (which would have seen the inclusion of the population centres Panmure
, Point England
and Glen Innes
into the electorate) the Commission largely reverted proposed changes to the boundaries of the Pakuranga electorate
. The Commission opted to alleviate population pressures by moving the Auckland City suburb of Otahuhu
into Manukau East
. The revised new seat received the name "Botany"
to reflect its focus on the growing population-centres of Botany Downs
–Dannemora
. On paper, Botany counts as a safe National seat.
Even though the number of South Island electorates remains fixed, the decline in the population of electorates south of Christchurch
has resulted in the boundaries of electorates from Invercargill
north to Rakaia
shifting northwards. The seats of Aoraki, Otago
, Rakaia
and Banks Peninsula
all gravitated towards Christchurch. In the process:
Other seats in the lower South Island increased dramatically in size.
beat National candidate Nathan Guy
in Ōtaki
by 382 votes (1.00%), and in Hamilton West
, Martin Gallagher
of the Labour Party won an 825 vote majority (2.46%) over National's Tim Macindoe. Both these seats saw a rematch in 2008, with the National Party candidates emerging victorious in each.
The swing to National in the central North Island saw two Bay of Plenty seats produce close results: in Rotorua
, the sitting Labour MP Steve Chadwick
prevailed by just 662 votes (2.17%) over National's Gil Stehbens, and in Tauranga
, property developer Bob Clarkson
defeated New Zealand First's leader and seven-term MP for Tauranga Winston Peters by 730 votes (2.02%). Rotorua fell to National's Todd McClay
in 2008, while Simon Bridges
held Tauranga for National by a wide margin, preventing Peters from returning to Parliament.
Besides the three Labour-held narrow-margin seats mentioned above (Otaki, Hamilton West and Rotorua), National had prospects of gaining Taupō
, where boundary changes have added the National-leaning town of Cambridge
and with it nearly 20,000 different voters – putting sitting MP Mark Burton
's 2005 majority of just 1,285 votes (4.43%) at risk. Similarly, the seat of West Coast-Tasman gave Labour's Damien O'Connor
a majority of 2,154 (6.77%). National reversed all of these majorities in 2008 and captured all three seats.
Part of National's core vote comes from provincial centres. In 1990, when Labour lost power, it lost every seat between the southern fringe of the Auckland urban area and Porirua except Palmerston North
; in 2005, National again won several provincial seats off Labour:
National also won Tauranga off New Zealand First leader Winston Peters in 2005 and the lion's share of the ACT and United parties' core votes (and in the process gained Northcote
off Labour).
The newly-drawn seat of Botany
on Auckland's eastern fringe presented an electoral problem for the Labour Party – on 4 July 2008 a crowd of mostly Asian marchers numbered in the thousands protested against Labour's record on crime and sentencing and a perceived upswing in anti-Asian crime. Because of the large Asian population in the new seat, such trends may have given National candidate and victor Pansy Wong
a possible advantage. Boundary changes have also shaken up the electoral landscape of the South Island. Three new seats – Selwyn
, Waitaki
and Rangitata, drawn respectively out of Aoraki, Otago and Rakaia, three National-held seats in 2005, damaged Labour's chances outside of Christchurch and Dunedin.
On Labour's other flank, the three Māori seats that it held last time against a strong Māori Party
challenge were in danger of falling as they did in 1996 when New Zealand First broke Labour's sixty-year stranglehold. Nanaia Mahuta
again faced Angeline Greensill
for the new Hauraki-Waikato
seat, and narrowly held it. Māori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia
also held on by a small margin against veteran broadcaster Derek Fox
in Ikaroa-Rāwhiti
. Incumbent Mahara Okeroa
, however, was defeated by Rahui Katene
in Te Tai Tonga
, giving the Māori Party an additional seat.
The seats of Tauranga
and Epsom
provided particular resonances: Winston Peters failed to retake the marginal
Tauranga (and Ron Mark
failed to win the Rimutaka
seat), meaning New Zealand First's chances of returning to the House depended on winning 5% of the party vote, which they did not accomplish. Similarly, the electoral fortunes of the ACT Party depended very largely on Rodney Hide
retaining Epsom, which he did.
Amongst other parties very aware of the 5% barrier, United Future appeared more secure in the light of Peter Dunne
's grip on Ōhariu
, which he maintained, though by a narrower margin than previously; and the Progressive Party
retained a very strong hold via Jim Anderton
's "safe seat
" of Wigram
.
The Greens never appeared in danger of slipping below the 5% threshold, although lacking an obvious winnable electorate seat (co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons
had won Coromandel
in 1999
, but the electorate returned to National in 2002
).
The Maori Party
also won a seat from Labour.
Having come first in the party vote at the 2005 election by just two percentage points, Labour held a slender lead in aggregate polling through the first half of 2006; a two-point lead in the first half of the year turned into a two-point deficit by May. Polling for a preferred Prime Minister showed Helen Clark nearly twice as popular as then National Party leader Don Brash
.
Things changed in early 2007, with new National leader John Key
improving on Brash's preferred Prime Minister rating by ten points, and overtaking Clark as preferred Prime Minister in May; at the same time National jumped out to a sizeable lead over Labour ranging from between eight and eighteen points, spending most of 2007 and 2008 with support from around fifty percent of the electorate. Labour's popularity slumped, hitting its lowest point in the winter of 2008, before beginning a slow climb into the high thirties in August and September.
Leading up to the election, polls indicated a range of possible outcomes on election day; some suggested Labour could form a coalition government, while others predicted National in control. Of the "minor" parties, only the Green Party consistently polled over the five-percent threshold, and United Future and the Progressive Party frequently failed to register a mention. Both ACT's and the Māori Party
's popularity since 2005 remained steady at around two percent, while New Zealand First failed to poll over the threshold after December 2006. The polls gave varied results for preferred Prime Minister, with some giving Clark a slight lead, and others giving Key a sturdy margin.
United Future also announced that it would side with National in late October, after supporting the Labour government for six years.
The Progressive Party, led by Jim Anderton
, had served as a steady coalition partner to Labour and the electorate probably expected it to remain so. The Green Party, which abstained from opposing the Labour-led government in supply and confidence votes through the life of the 48th Parliament
(2005 to 2008), said on 20 October that the only party of the two main parties it could form a coalition with was Labour. In the light of New Zealand First's run-in with the Serious Fraud Office, John Key ruled out that party as a government support partner on 31 August 2008, saying "the sheer weight of allegations and the actions of Mr Peters in the last few months means that I have lost that confidence in him".
At that time, Peters' future seemed under a cloud; after his party being cleared of charges of serious fraud, National restated its position, saying that the result of the case has not altered it.
Based on polls commissioned by the Māori news show Marae, the Māori Party
appeared likely to win most of the Māori seats and stood a chance of holding the balance of power. The party's MP for Te Tai Tokerau, Hone Harawira
, stated at the end of September that the party could work with both Labour and National. On 28 September, National announced a commitment to abolish the Māori seats in time for the 2014 election.
The Māori Party has benefited greatly from the Māori seats, and its co-leader Tariana Turia
was unimpressed: "They think again that they can deny us the right to participate. If they want a relationship with the Maori Party then very clearly they're starting off on the wrong foot". Marae polls released on 12 October showed 62 percent of voters polled in the two northernmost Māori electorates were resistant to the idea of a National–Māori government; co-leader Pita Sharples responded to the poll results by saying his party would be "stupid" to ignore the poll figures.
49th New Zealand Parliament
The 49th New Zealand Parliament was elected at the 2008 election. It consists of 122 members, including an overhang of two seats caused by the Māori Party having won two more electorate seats than its share of the party vote would otherwise have given it. The Parliament will serve from 2008 until...
. The conservative National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
, headed by its Parliamentary leader John Key
John Key
John Phillip Key is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, in office since 2008. He has led the New Zealand National Party since 2006....
, won a plurality of votes and seats, ending 9 years of government dominated by the social democratic
Social democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
Labour Party
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
, led by Helen Clark
Helen Clark
Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008...
. Key announced a week later that he would lead a National minority government
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
with confidence-and-supply
Confidence and supply
In a parliamentary democracy confidence and supply are required for a government to hold power. A confidence and supply agreement is an agreement that a minor party or independent member of parliament will support the government in motions of confidence and appropriation votes by voting in favour...
support from the ACT, United Future and Māori
Maori Party
The Māori Party, a political party in New Zealand, was formed on 7 July 2004. The Party is guided by eight constitutional "kaupapa", or Party objectives. Tariana Turia formed the Māori Party after resigning from the Labour Party where she had been a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour-led...
parties. The Governor-General
Governor-General of New Zealand
The Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....
swore Key in as New Zealand's 38th Prime Minister
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
on 19 November 2008.
The Green Party
Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is a political party that has seats in the New Zealand parliament. It focuses firstly on environmentalism, arguing that all other aspects of humanity will cease to be of concern if there is no environment to sustain it...
became the third-largest party in Parliament, with nine seats. The ACT Party came joint-fourth (in terms of seats), increasing their number of seats from two to five, and reversing some of their losses from the 2005 election. The Māori Party
Maori Party
The Māori Party, a political party in New Zealand, was formed on 7 July 2004. The Party is guided by eight constitutional "kaupapa", or Party objectives. Tariana Turia formed the Māori Party after resigning from the Labour Party where she had been a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour-led...
also won five seats – out of the seven Māori seats
Maori seats
In New Zealand politics, Māori electorates, colloquially also called Māori seats, are a special category of electorate that gives reserved positions to representatives of Māori in the New Zealand Parliament...
– creating an overhang
Overhang seat
Overhang seats can arise in elections under the traditional mixed member proportional system, when a party is entitled to fewer seats as a result of party votes than it has won constituencies.-How overhang seats arise:...
of two seats. The New Zealand First
New Zealand First
New Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...
party, which had seven MPs in the previous parliament, failed to win any electorates or pass the 5 per cent MMP threshold, and therefore won no seats in the new parliament.
In his victory speech, John Key announced the readiness of the ACT and United Future parties to co-operate with the National Party to form the next government. In her concession speech, Helen Clark announced her resignation as the parliamentary leader of the Labour Party. She had led the party since 1993, and had served as prime minister since the 1999 election.
Results
The Labour government failed to secure a fourth consecutive term, after the National Party entered in to support agreements with the ACT, United Future and Māori parties, resulting in a National minority government.The Chief Electoral Officer released the official results on 22 November 2008.
Electorate results
While the National Party has dominated rural seats since 1938, it achieved a clean sweep this year. The 19 general electorates which Labour retained all have a predominantly urban character, excluding Waimakariri, a predominantly urban area but with a significant rural population, resulting in a Labour MP narrowly elected but National winning the party vote commandingly. Palmerston North remains the only provincial city with a Labour MP. The two seats of Hamilton (considered "bellwetherBellwether
A bellwether is any entity in a given arena that serves to create or influence trends or to presage future happenings.The term is derived from the Middle English bellewether and refers to the practice of placing a bell around the neck of a castrated ram leading his flock of sheep.The movements of...
" seats as their demographic profile closely resembles that of the country as a whole) both went to National.
| Electorate | | Incumbent | | Winner | Majority | | Runner up | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland Central Auckland Central Auckland Central is a New Zealand electoral division returning one member to the New Zealand House of Representatives. Its current representative is Nikki Kaye, a member of the National Party; she has represented the seat since 2008.... |
Judith Tizard Judith Tizard Judith Tizard is a former New Zealand politician. She was a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Judith Ngaire Tizard was born in Auckland in 1956... |
Nikki Kaye Nikki Kaye Nicola Laura Kaye is the member of the New Zealand Parliament for the Auckland Central electorate, having defeated incumbent Labour MP Judith Tizard in the 2008 election.-Early life:... |
1,497 |
Judith Tizard | |||
| Bay of Plenty Bay of Plenty (New Zealand electorate) Bay of Plenty is a New Zealand electoral division returning one member to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current representative Tony Ryall, a member of the National Party, has represented the seat since 1996.- Geography :... |
Tony Ryall Tony Ryall Anthony Boyd Williams "Tony" Ryall is New Zealand politician. He has represented voters and the National Party in the New Zealand Parliament since 1990. Since November 2008 he has served as a cabinet minister, holding the posts of Minister of Health and Minister of State Services... |
17,604 |
Carol Devoy-Heena | ||||
| Botany Botany (New Zealand electorate) Botany is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. It was contested for the first time at the 2008 general election, and won by Pansy Wong for the National Party... |
(New electorate) |
Pansy Wong Pansy Wong Pansy Yu Fong Wong is a former New Zealand politician. She was New Zealand's first Asian MP, serving as a member of parliament for the National Party from 1996 to 2011... |
10,872 |
Koro Tawa | |||
| Christchurch Central Christchurch Central Christchurch Central is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate in the South Island city of Christchurch. The electorate was established for the 1946 election and has always been won by the Labour Party. Since 2008, the incumbent is Brendon Burns... |
Tim Barnett |
Brendon Burns Brendon Burns (politician) Brendon Burns is the Labour Party Member of Parliament for Christchurch Central electorate of the New Zealand Parliament.-Early life:Burns worked for 12 years in the Parliamentary Press Gallery. As editor of The Marlborough Express for seven years, he led various community initiatives and won the... |
935 |
Nicky Wagner Nicky Wagner Nicky Wagner is a New Zealand politician, who holds a list seat for the New Zealand National Party in the Parliament of New Zealand.-Early life and career:... |
|||
| Christchurch East Christchurch East Christchurch East is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate. It is currently held by Lianne Dalziel of the Labour Party.-History:The electorate was first created, as Christchurch City East, for the... |
Lianne Dalziel Lianne Dalziel Lianne Audrey Dalziel is a member of the New Zealand Parliament and was Minister of Immigration, Commerce, Minister of Food Safety and Associate Minister of Justice in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand... |
5,765 |
Aaron Gilmore Aaron Gilmore Aaron Gilmore is a New Zealand politician and member of the New Zealand National Party. He has been a list MP since the 2008 election.-Early life and education:... |
||||
| Clutha-Southland |
Bill English Bill English Simon William "Bill" English is the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Minister of Infrastructure of New Zealand.English entered parliament in 1990 as a National party MP representing the Wallace electorate... |
15,475 |
Don Pryde | ||||
| Coromandel Coromandel (New Zealand electorate) Coromandel is a New Zealand electoral division returning one member to the New Zealand House of Representatives. Most recently it was represented by Sandra Goudie, who was MP from until retiring at the .-Population centres:... |
Sandra Goudie Sandra Goudie Sandra Anne Goudie is a New Zealand politician. She is a member of the National Party.-Early years:Before entering politics, Goudie was a farmer, and was later a councillor for the Thames-Coromandel District.-Member of Parliament:... |
14,560 |
Hugh Kininmonth | ||||
| Dunedin North Dunedin North (New Zealand electorate) Dunedin North is a New Zealand parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. It was established for the 1905 election and has existed since.... |
Pete Hodgson Pete Hodgson Peter Colin Hodgson is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party.Hodgson was born in Whangarei, and received a Bachelor's degree in veterinary science from Massey University... |
7,155 |
Michael Woodhouse Michael Woodhouse Michael Woodhouse is a National member of the 49th New Zealand Parliament.-Early years:He was born and raised in South Dunedin and attended Kavanagh College which he left in 1983. After that he studied Commerce and Accounting at Otago University which he graduated from in 1993... |
||||
| Dunedin South Dunedin South Dunedin South is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate. It first existed from 1881–1890, then from 1905–1946 and was re-established for the introduction of MMP in 1996. A Labour Party stronghold, it has been represented by Clare Curran since the .-Area:... |
David Benson-Pope David Benson-Pope David Henry Benson-Pope is a New Zealand Labour Party politician who sat in the Parliament of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008. He formerly served as a cabinet minister.... |
Clare Curran Clare Curran Clare Elizabeth Curran is the 3rd and current member of the New Zealand Parliament for Dunedin South.-Early life and education:Curran grew up and was educated in Dunedin, she attended Moreau College where she achieved School Certificate... |
6,449 |
Conway Powell | |||
| East Coast East Coast (New Zealand electorate) East Coast is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The electorate first existed from 1871 to 1893. From 1996 to 2002, the electorate was called Mahia... |
Anne Tolley Anne Tolley Anne Merrilyn Tolley is a politician representing the New Zealand National Party. With the formation of the Fifth National Government in late 2008, she became the Minister of Education, the first woman ever to assume the role.Tolley is the Member for the East Coast electorate, representing... |
6,413 |
Moana Mackey Moana Mackey Moana Lynore Mackey is a New Zealand politician and has represented the New Zealand Labour Party in the Parliament of New Zealand since 2003. She has Māori, Irish, Scottish and Spanish ancestry.... |
||||
| East Coast Bays East Coast Bays (New Zealand electorate) East Coast Bays is a New Zealand parliamentary electorate. It was first formed in 1972 and has existed apart from a break lasting two parliamentary terms. The electorate is currently held by Murray McCully.-Population centres:... |
Murray McCully Murray McCully Murray Stuart McCully is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the National Party, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister for Sport and Recreation, and Minister for the Rugby World Cup.-Early life:... |
13,974 |
Vivienne Goldsmith | ||||
| Epsom Epsom (New Zealand electorate) Epsom is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Epsom is Rodney Hide MP of the ACT Party. He has held this position since 2005.-Population centres:... |
Rodney Hide Rodney Hide Rodney Hide is a New Zealand politician who was leader of the political party ACT New Zealand from 2004 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he represented the electorate of Epsom as its Member of Parliament. Rodney Hide was Minister of Local Government, Associate Minister of Commerce and Minister of... |
12,882 |
Richard Worth Richard Worth Richard Westwood Worth, OBE, VRD, KStJ is a former New Zealand politician. He was a member of the National Party parliamentary caucus until he resigned on Friday 12 June 2009.-Background:... |
||||
| Hamilton East Hamilton East (New Zealand electorate) Hamilton East is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It is currently held by David Bennett MP of the National Party.-Population centres:... |
David Bennett David Bennett (New Zealand) David Bennett is a New Zealand politician. He has been a Member of Parliament since 2005, representing a Hamilton electorate for the National Party.-Early years:... |
8,820 |
Sue Moroney Sue Moroney Suzanne Mary Moroney , generally known as Sue Moroney, is a New Zealand politician. She is a member of the New Zealand Labour Party and was first elected at the 2005 general election. She is based in Hamilton, New Zealand.-Early life:... |
||||
| Hamilton West Hamilton West (New Zealand electorate) Hamilton West is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It has been held by Tim Macindoe MP of the National Party since the 2008 general election.-Population centres:... |
Martin Gallagher |
Tim Macindoe Tim Macindoe Tim Macindoe is a New Zealand politician who was elected as a Member of Parliament in 2008 for the Hamilton West electorate. Macindoe represents the National Party.-Early life:... |
1,618 |
Martin Gallagher | |||
| Helensville Helensville (New Zealand electorate) Helensville is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Helensville is John Key, leader of the National Party and Prime Minister of New Zealand. He has held this electorate since 2002... |
John Key John Key John Phillip Key is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, in office since 2008. He has led the New Zealand National Party since 2006.... |
20,547 |
Darien Fenton Darien Fenton Darien Fenton is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament.-Personal life and early career:Fenton's grandfather, Fred Frost, was a Labour MP for New Plymouth from 1938 – 1943.... |
||||
| Hunua Hunua The Hunua electorate existed three times for the New Zealand House of Representatives beginning in 1978, based at the south end of the Auckland urban area, and named for the Hunua Ranges. It covered different geographical areas over those periods... |
Paul Hutchison Paul Hutchison Charles Paul Telford Hutchison, known as Paul Hutchison is a New Zealand politician and former health professional. He is a member of the National Party.-Early years:... |
15,858 |
Jordan Carter | ||||
| Hutt South Hutt South Hutt South is a parliamentary electorate in the lower Hutt Valley of New Zealand. It is currently held by Trevor Mallard of the Labour Party.-Population centres:... |
Trevor Mallard Trevor Mallard Trevor Colin Mallard is a New Zealand politician. He was a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand holding portfolios including Environment, Labour, Broadcasting, State Owned Enterprises, Rugby World Cup and Education. He was also Associate Minister of Finance.-Early... |
4,086 |
Paul Quinn | ||||
| Ilam Ilam (New Zealand electorate) Ilam is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate. Formed for the , it has always been held by Gerry Brownlee MP.-Population centres:Ilam is considered a safe National seat. The electorate includes the suburbs of Riccarton , Upper Riccarton, Fendalton, Burnside, Avonhead, Merivale, Bishopdale, Ilam,... |
Gerry Brownlee Gerry Brownlee Gerard Anthony "Gerry" Brownlee is a New Zealand politician. He served from 17 November 2003 to 27 November 2006 as deputy-leader of the National Party – during that period the second-largest party in the New Zealand Parliament, and thus forming the core of the Opposition... |
11,893 |
Sam Yau | ||||
| Invercargill Invercargill (New Zealand electorate) Invercargill is an electorate of the Parliament of New Zealand that has existed since 1866. The current representative is Eric Roy.-Population centres:The electorate covers Invercargill city and the surrounding rural area, including Stewart Island / Rakiura... |
Eric Roy Eric Roy Eric Wilbur Roy is a New Zealand politician. He is a National Party Member of Parliament , being first elected in 1993.-Early years:... |
6,664 |
Lesley Soper Lesley Soper Lesley Soper is a New Zealand politician.-Political career:She was a Labour Party list member of Parliament for several months in 2005, replacing Jonathan Hunt, and she returned to Parliament in 2007 to fill the vacancy caused by Georgina Beyer's resignation.Soper is a member of the Labour Party,... |
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| Kaikoura Kaikoura (New Zealand electorate) right|thumb|Kaikōura electorateKaikōura is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning a single MP to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Kaikōura is Colin King of the National Party... |
Colin King Colin King Colin King MNZM is a New Zealand politician, and currently serves as a member of Parliament.-Early years:King was born in 1949 in Canterbury. He is a farmer from Marlborough, and has held senior roles in various boards and trusts relating to the agricultural sector... |
11,077 |
Brian McNamana | ||||
| Mana Mana (New Zealand electorate) Mana is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate north of Wellington. It is currently held by Kris Faafoi MP.-Population centres:The electorate includes the following population centres:* Paraparaumu * Raumati... |
Winnie Laban Luamanuvao Winnie Laban Luamanuvao Winifred "Winnie" Alexandra Laban, QSO is a New Zealand politician. She was the Member of Parliament for the Mana electorate, representing the Labour Party. She was the Labour Party’s spokesperson for Pacific Island Affairs and spokesperson for Interfaith Dialogue.-Early life and... |
6,155 |
Hekia Parata Hekia Parata Hon. Hekia Parata, Lady Gardiner is a New Zealand politician and member of the New Zealand House of Representatives, having been elected to parliament in the 2008 general election... |
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| Mangere Mangere (New Zealand electorate) Māngere is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Māngere is Su'a William Sio, elected for the Labour Party. He has held this seat since 2008.... |
Taito Phillip Field Taito Phillip Field Taito Phillip Hans Field is a Samoan New Zealand politician. He was a Member of Parliament for south Auckland electorates from 1993 to 2008. Field was a minister outside Cabinet in a Labour-led government from 2003 to 2005. Following charges of bribery and perverting the course of justice, he was... |
Su'a William Sio Su'a William Sio Su'a William Sio is a politician who became a Member of Parliament in the New Zealand House of Representatives on 1 April 2008 as a New Zealand Labour Party list MP. He currently represents the Māngere electorate seat in Parliament.... |
7,126 |
Taito Phillip Field Taito Phillip Field Taito Phillip Hans Field is a Samoan New Zealand politician. He was a Member of Parliament for south Auckland electorates from 1993 to 2008. Field was a minister outside Cabinet in a Labour-led government from 2003 to 2005. Following charges of bribery and perverting the course of justice, he was... (Pacific) |
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| Manukau East Manukau East Manukau East is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It is currently held by Ross Robertson MP.-Suburbs:In 2007, large changes were made to the Manukau East electorate. Its northern boundary extended past the Tāmaki River to almost as far as Sylvia Park Rd to incorporate Middlemore, Otahuhu and... |
Ross Robertson Ross Robertson Harold Valentine Ross Robertson is a New Zealand politician for the Labour Party. He has been a Member of Parliament since 1987.-Early life:Robertson was born in Wellington... |
12,445 |
Kanwal Singh Bakshi Kanwal Singh Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi is a New Zealand politician and a member of the National Party. He was elected into the 49th New Zealand Parliament in 2008 by way of the party list.-Member of Parliament:... |
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| Manurewa Manurewa (New Zealand electorate) Manurewa is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It is currently held by George Hawkins MP.-Population Centres:The electorate includes the following population centres:... |
George Hawkins | 6,726 |
Cam Calder Cam Calder Campbell Gordon Calder , known as Cam Calder is a New Zealand doctor and politician representing the National Party as a member of Parliament.-Background:... |
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| Maungakiekie Maungakiekie (New Zealand electorate) Maungakiekie is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Maungakiekie is Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga of the National Party... |
Mark Gosche Mark Gosche Mark James Gosche is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party. He was born in Auckland to Samoan parents, and has been active in New Zealand's Pacific Islander community.-Member of Parliament:... |
Sam Lotu-Iiga Sam Lotu-Iiga Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is the member of the New Zealand Parliament for the Maungakiekie electorate having been elected in the 2008 election. Lotu-Iiga is the National Party's only Pacific Island MP. Lotu-Iiga holds the Samoan high chiefly title of Peseta.-Early life:Lotu-Iiga was born in Apia,... |
1,942 |
Carol Beaumont Carol Beaumont Carol Ann Beaumont is a politician from New Zealand. She was elected to represent the Labour Party on the party list at the 2008 general election. Beaumont stood in the Maungakiekie electorate, finishing a close second.-Professional life:... |
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| Mount Albert Mount Albert (New Zealand electorate) Mount Albert is a Parliamentary electorate in Auckland, New Zealand, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. It has been represented by David Shearer since a by-election on 13 June 2009. It was represented by Helen Clark from the 1981 general election until... |
Helen Clark Helen Clark Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008... |
10,351 |
Ravi Masuku | ||||
| Mount Roskill Mount Roskill (New Zealand electorate) Mount Roskill is a Parliamentary electorate in Auckland, New Zealand, returning one Member of Parliament to the House of Representatives. Phil Goff of the Labour Party has held the seat since the 1999 election.... |
Phil Goff Phil Goff Philip Bruce Goff is the current Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party. During the Fifth Labour Government, he served in a number of ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Defence of New Zealand, Minister of Corrections, Minister of Foreign Affairs and... |
6,418 |
Jackie Blue Jackie Blue Dr Jackie Blue MP is a New Zealand politician and member of Parliament for the National Party.-Personal life:Blue was born in 1956. She attended Selwyn College in Auckland, and then went on to gain a BSc from the University of Auckland in 1976 and MB ChB from Auckland Medical School in 1983... |
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| Napier Napier (New Zealand electorate) thumb|right|Boundaries of Napier Electorate for 2008 and 2011 electionsNapier is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Napier is Chris Tremain, of the National Party. He has held this position since... |
Chris Tremain Chris Tremain Chris Tremain is a Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for the New Zealand National Party.-Member of Parliament:Tremain was first elected to parliament in the 2005 election, when he won the Napier electorate, beating incumbent Russell Fairbrother by 3951 votes. This was the first... |
9,018 |
Russell Fairbrother Russell Fairbrother Russell Fairbrother is a lawyer and former New Zealand politician. He was a Labour Party Member of Parliament from 2002 to 2008.-Early years:Fairbrother was born into a truck driving family and raised in the Wairarapa town of Carterton.... |
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| Nelson Nelson (New Zealand electorate) Nelson is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. From 1853 to 1860, the electorate was called Town of Nelson. From 1860 to 1881, it was City of Nelson... |
Nick Smith Nick Smith (New Zealand) Nicolas Rex "Nick" Smith is a New Zealand politician and a member of the New Zealand Parliament as a National Party MP... |
8,471 |
Maryan Street Maryan Street Maryan Street is a Member of the New Zealand Parliament for the New Zealand Labour Party. In the 2005 elections, she became the first openly lesbian woman elected to the New Zealand Parliament.-Early years:... |
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| New Lynn New Lynn (New Zealand electorate) New Lynn is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one member to the New Zealand House of Representatives. Its current representative is David Cunliffe, a member of the Labour Party. He has represented the seat since 2002. Cunliffe was the MP for Titirangi from 1999 to 2002... |
David Cunliffe David Cunliffe David Richard Cunliffe is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party, and the sitting member of parliament for New Lynn, West Auckland. He served as the Minister of Health and Minister for Communications and Information Technology for the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand... |
4,025 |
Tim Groser Tim Groser Timothy John Groser is a current New Zealand politician and former diplomat.-Early years:He was born in Perth, Scotland and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1958... |
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| New Plymouth New Plymouth (New Zealand electorate) New Plymouth is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate. It was first created for the 1st New Zealand Parliament in 1853 and has existed since, with one 22-year interruption... |
Harry Duynhoven Harry Duynhoven Harry James Duynhoven is a New Zealand politician. He is the current mayor of the city of New Plymouth and surrounding districts. He assumed office in October 2010. He was a Member of Parliament for the Labour Party.-Early life:... |
Jonathan Young Jonathan Young (New Zealand) Jonathan Young is a National Party Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for New Plymouth. He was first elected in the 2008 general election, with the country's smallest election night majority.-Early years:... |
105 |
Harry Duynhoven Harry Duynhoven Harry James Duynhoven is a New Zealand politician. He is the current mayor of the city of New Plymouth and surrounding districts. He assumed office in October 2010. He was a Member of Parliament for the Labour Party.-Early life:... |
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| North Shore North Shore (New Zealand electorate) North Shore is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for North Shore is Wayne Mapp MP of the National Party... |
Wayne Mapp Wayne Mapp Wayne Daniel Mapp is a New Zealand politician, representing the National Party in the New Zealand Parliament. He has served as the MP for the North Shore electorate since the 1996 elections. Before entering politics, he lectured in commercial law at University of Auckland.-Early years:He gained... |
14,574 |
Phil Twyford Phil Twyford Philip Stoner Twyford is a politician from New Zealand and a member of the Labour Party. He has been a member of parliament since 2008. He is the Labour Party candidate for Te Atatū.-Member of Parliament:... |
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| Northcote Northcote (New Zealand electorate) Northcote is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Northcote is Jonathan Coleman of the National Party. He has held this position since 2005.... |
Jonathan Coleman | 9,360 |
Hamish McCracken | ||||
| Northland Northland (New Zealand electorate) Northland is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The electorate was established for the 1996 election and is currently not represented, after the only MP for the electorate so far, John Carter of the National Party,... |
John Carter John Carter (New Zealand) John McGregor Carter is a New Zealand politician, and member of the National Party. He represented the Bay of Islands, Far North and Northland electorates from 1987 until June 2011... |
10,054 |
Shane Jones Shane Jones Shane Geoffrey Jones is a New Zealand politician. He was a cabinet minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand.-Early life:Jones is Māori, of Te Aupōuri and Ngai Takoto descent, as well as having Dalmatian ancestry... |
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| Ōhariu |
Peter Dunne Peter Dunne Peter Dunne is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament who leads the United Future political party. He has served as a Cabinet minister in governments dominated by the centre-left Labour Party as well as by the centre-right National Party... |
1,006 |
Charles Chauvel Charles Chauvel (politician) Charles Pierre Chauvel is a New Zealand lawyer and politician. Since 2006 he has been a Member of Parliament in the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is the first New Zealand MP of Tahitian ancestry... |
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| Ōtaki Otaki (New Zealand electorate) Ōtaki is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, spanning part of the coast of the lower North Island. The bulk of its population comes from the Horowhenua district, but it also takes in part of the northern Kapiti Coast, including the towns of Otaki and Waikanae, and part of Paraparaumu. The... |
Darren Hughes Darren Hughes Darren Colyn Hughes was a New Zealand Member of Parliament between 2002 and 2011, first elected at the age of 24. He represented the Labour Party and was a Minister outside Cabinet in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand.... |
Nathan Guy Nathan Guy Nathan Guy is a New Zealand politician, and currently serves as a member of Parliament representing the National Party.-Background:... |
1,354 |
Darren Hughes | |||
| Pakuranga Pakuranga (New Zealand electorate) rightPakuranga is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It is currently held by Maurice Williamson MP, a member of the National Party.-Population centres:Pakuranga is one of sixty-three general electorates used in New Zealand general elections... |
Maurice Williamson Maurice Williamson Maurice Donald Williamson is a New Zealand politician, representing Pakuranga in the House of Representatives as a member of the National Party... |
13,906 |
Brian Kelly | ||||
| Palmerston North Palmerston North (New Zealand electorate) Palmerston North is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Palmerston North is Iain Lees-Galloway of the Labour Party... |
Steve Maharey Steve Maharey Steven "Steve" Maharey CNZM is a former Member of Parliament for Palmerston North in New Zealand, as a member of the Labour Party... |
Iain Lees-Galloway Iain Lees-Galloway Iain Lees-Galloway is a politician from New Zealand. He was elected to represent the Labour Party in the seat of Palmerston North at the 2008 general election... |
1,117 |
Malcom Plimmer | |||
| Papakura Papakura (New Zealand electorate) rightPapakura has been the name of two seats in the New Zealand House of Representatives, both based around the south Auckland town of Papakura. Historically, the name refers to an electorate that existed between 1978 and 1996, which with the advent of Mixed Member Proportional voting and resulting... |
(New electorate) |
Judith Collins Judith Collins Judith Anne Collins is a New Zealand National Party politician and a lawyer. She is a front bench Cabinet minister with the portfolios of Police, Corrections and Veterans' Affairs in the Fifth National Government.... |
10,277 |
David Hereora | |||
| Port Hills Port Hills (New Zealand electorate) Port Hills is a new electorate of New Zealand created for the 2008 general election. It largely replaces the Banks Peninsula electorate, held by Ruth Dyson... |
(New electorate) |
Ruth Dyson Ruth Dyson Ruth Suzanne Dyson is a New Zealand politician. She is a member of the Labour Party and has been a Member of Parliament since 1993.-Early years:... |
3,452 |
Terry Heffernan Terry Heffernan Terry Heffernan was a New Zealand politician who stood for Parliament on eight separate occasions. Heffernan was originally a member of the Social Credit Party before joining the New Zealand First Party and later, the New Zealand National Party.-Early years:He was born in Oamaru and attended St... |
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| Rangitata | (New electorate) |
Jo Goodhew Jo Goodhew Jo Goodhew is a New Zealand politician, and currently serves as a member of Parliament.-Early years:Goodhew grew up in Timaru, and attended Timaru Girls' High School. She holds a qualification in nursing from Otago Polytechnic... |
8,112 |
Julian Blanchard | |||
| Rangitīkei Rangitikei (New Zealand electorate) rightRangitīkei is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Rangitīkei is Simon Power of the National Party... |
Simon Power Simon Power Simon James Power is a New Zealand politician. He is a prominent member of the National Party and a cabinet minister. He currently holds the posts of Minister of Justice, Minister for State Owned Enterprises, Minister of Commerce, Minister Responsible for the Law Commission andAssociate Minister... |
12,042 |
Jills Burney | ||||
| Rimutaka Rimutaka (New Zealand electorate) Rimutaka is an electorate returning one member to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current representative is Chris Hipkins. He is a member of the Labour Party, and has represented the seat since 2008.... |
Paul Swain Paul Swain Paul Desmond Swain, QSO is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Swain was born in Palmerston North on 20 December 1951. He attended St. Patrick's College in Wellington... |
Chris Hipkins Chris Hipkins Christopher John "Chris" Hipkins is a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is the Labour Party MP for Rimutaka, and was elected for the first time at the 2008 election. Before his election, he worked as a senior adviser to the administration of Prime Minister Helen Clark.-Early... |
753 |
Richard Whiteside | |||
| Rodney Rodney (New Zealand electorate) rightRodney is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Rodney is Mark Mitchell of the National Party... |
Lockwood Smith Lockwood Smith Alexander Lockwood Smith is a New Zealand politician, the 28th and current Speaker of the House of Representatives. Smith is a member of the New Zealand National Party, who has served as a Member of Parliament since 1984... |
15,635 |
Conor Roberts | ||||
| Rongotai Rongotai (New Zealand electorate) Rongotai is a New Zealand electorate, returning a single member to the New Zealand House of Representatitves. The current MP for Rongotai is Annette King, of the Labour Party. She has held this position since 1996.-Description:... |
Annette King Annette King Annette Faye King is a New Zealand politician. She is the current Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the New Zealand. She was a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand.-Early life:... |
9,020 |
Chris Finlayson Chris Finlayson Christopher Francis Finlayson is a New Zealand lawyer, politician and Member of Parliament, representing the National Party. He is a Cabinet minister and the Attorney-General of New Zealand... |
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| Rotorua Rotorua (New Zealand electorate) Rotorua is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Rotorua is Todd McClay of the National Party, who won the seat in the 2008 general election from incumbent Labour MP Steve Chadwick.- Location :The... |
Stephanie Chadwick Stephanie Chadwick Stephanie "Steve" Anne Chadwick is a New Zealand Labour Party politician. She held the positions of Minister of Conservation, Women's Affairs, and Associate Health in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand.... |
Todd McClay Todd McClay Todd Michael McClay is a New Zealand politician and former ambassador. He was formerly an ambassador for the Cook Islands and Niue to the European Union, and is presently the representative for Rotorua in the 49th New Zealand Parliament.- Early life :Todd McClay was born in Rotorua on 22 November... |
5,065 |
Stephanie Chadwick | |||
| Selwyn Selwyn (New Zealand electorate) Selwyn is the name of three seats in the New Zealand House of Representatives, based around towns on the outskirts of Christchurch city. In an historical sense, the name refers to an electorate that existed between 1866 and 1919... |
(New electorate) |
Amy Adams Amy Adams (politician) Amy Adams is a member of the New Zealand Parliament. She currently represents the Selwyn electorate and is a member of the National Party.-Private life:... |
11,075 |
David Coates | |||
| Tamaki Tamaki (New Zealand electorate) Tāmaki is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The electorate is named after the Tamaki River that runs immediately east of the seat... |
Allan Peachey Allan Peachey Allan Peachey was a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament for Tamaki.-School principal:Before his election to Parliament, Peachey was employed as the principal of Rangitoto College, the largest secondary school in New Zealand... |
Josephine Bartley | |||||
| Taranaki-King Country Taranaki-King Country rightTaranaki-King Country is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Taranaki-King Country is Shane Ardern of the National Party... |
Shane Ardern Shane Ardern Philip Shane Ardern is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the National Party, representing the electorate of Taranaki-King Country.-Early years:... |
Renée van de Weert | |||||
| Taupō Taupo (New Zealand electorate) rightTaupō is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Taupō is Louise Upston of the National Party. She has held this position since 2008.The current Taupō seat was created ahead of the introduction... |
Mark Burton Mark Burton Richard Mark Burton is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party. He served as Minister of Defence; Minister of Justice; Minister of Local Government; Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations; Deputy Leader of the House; and the Minister Responsible for the Law... |
Louise Upston Louise Upston Louise Upston is a National Party Member of Parliament, representing Taupō sine November 2008.-Member of Parliament:Upston was elected to Parliament at the 2008 general election.... |
Mark Burton | ||||
| Tauranga Tauranga (New Zealand electorate) Tauranga is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Tauranga is Simon Bridges of the National Party, who won the seat in the 2008 New Zealand general election, after the previous MP, Bob Clarkson of... |
Bob Clarkson Bob Clarkson Bob Clarkson, CNZM was National Party MP for Tauranga in the 48th Parliament of New Zealand.-Biography:In 1958 Clarkson qualified as a fitter and turner in Gisborne. He then moved to the Waikato and worked on the Kaimai Tunnel... |
Simon Bridges Simon Bridges Simon Bridges is a New Zealand politician and former District and High Court Crown prosecutor. Bridges is currently the representative for the electorate of Tauranga in the 49th New Zealand Parliament, as a member of the National Party.Bridges currently lives in Mount Maunganui with his wife,... |
Winston Peters Winston Peters Winston Raymond Peters is a New Zealand politician and leader of New Zealand First, a political party he founded in 1993. Peters has had a turbulent political career since entering Parliament in 1978. He served as Minister of Maori Affairs in the Bolger National Party Government before being... |
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| Te Atatu Te Atatu (New Zealand electorate) rightTe Atatū is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Te Atatū is Chris Carter, who is formerly of the Labour Party, but is currently an Independent MP... |
Chris Carter Chris Carter (politician) Christopher Joseph Carter was an independent Member of Parliament in New Zealand, and a former member of the New Zealand Labour Party until his expulsion. Carter was a senior Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand, serving lastly as Minister of Education, Minister... |
Tau Henare Tau Henare Tau Henare is a New Zealand Māori parliamentarian. He served as a Member of Parliament from 1993 to 1999 and returned to Parliament in 2005. He has been involved with four political parties: Mana Motuhake, New Zealand First, Mauri Pacific and the National Party - representing three in... |
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| Tukituki Tukituki (New Zealand electorate) rightTukituki is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Tukituki is Craig Foss of the National Party... |
Craig Foss Craig Foss Craig Foss is a New Zealand politician, and currently serves as a Member of Parliament.-Early years:Foss was born on 4 July 1963 in Lower Hutt, and attended Victoria University of Wellington, completing a BCA... |
Rick Barker Rick Barker Richard John Barker is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party, and was a middle-ranking Cabinet minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand.-Early life:... |
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| Waikato Waikato (New Zealand electorate) rightWaikato is the name of a current electorate in the New Zealand Parliament from 2006; which earlier existed for two periods, 1871 to 1960 and 1969 to 1996 when MMP was introduced.... |
Lindsay Tisch Lindsay Tisch William Lindsay Tisch, known as Lindsay Tisch, JP, is a New Zealand politician, and member of the National Party.-Member of Parliament:... |
Jacinda Ardern Jacinda Ardern Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern is a politician from New Zealand. A member of the Labour Party, she was elected as a list MP at the 2008 general election.-Professional life:Ardern has spent time in London, working as a senior policy advisor... |
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| Waimakariri Waimakariri (New Zealand electorate) Waimakariri is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, formed in 1996 and returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Waimakariri is Clayton Cosgrove of the Labour Party. He has held this position since the 1999 election... |
Clayton Cosgrove Clayton Cosgrove Clayton James Cosgrove is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Cosgrove was born in Nelson, New Zealand. He received a BA, in American Studies and Political Science, from the University of Canterbury in 1992 and received an MBA in 1996... |
Kate Wilkinson Kate Wilkinson (politician) Catherine Joan "Kate" Wilkinson is a New Zealand politician, and currently serves as a member of Parliament.- Biography :... |
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| Wairarapa Wairarapa (New Zealand electorate) Wairarapa is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate. It was first created in 1859 and existed until 1881. It was recreated in 1887 and has since existed continuously... |
John Hayes | Denise MacKenzie | |||||
| Waitakere Waitakere (New Zealand electorate) Waitakere is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Waitakere is Paula Bennett of the National Party. She has held this position since the 2008 election.... |
Lynne Pillay Lynne Pillay Barbara Lynne Pillay, known as Lynne Pillay is a New Zealand politician, and member of the Labour Party.- Member of Parliament :... |
Paula Bennett Paula Bennett Paula Lee Bennett is a New Zealand politician and member of parliament for the National Party. She is a Cabinet minister with the roles of Minister for Social Development and Employment, Minister for Disability Issues and Minister of Youth Affairs.-Early life:Bennett was born in 1969 to Bob... |
Lynne Pillay | ||||
| Waitaki Waitaki (New Zealand electorate) Waitaki is an electorate for the New Zealand House of Representatives that crosses the boundary of North Otago and South Canterbury towns on the East Coast of the South Island. The electorate was first established for the that determined the 5th New Zealand Parliament... |
(New electorate) |
Jacqui Dean Jacqui Dean Jacqueline Isobel Dean is a New Zealand politician and the current Member of Parliament for the Waitaki electorate.-Early career:Dean has worked in a number of roles, including professional acting... |
David Parker | ||||
| Wellington Central Wellington Central rightWellington Central is a suburb of New Zealand's capital, Wellington, consisting of the flat, mostly reclaimed land, west of Lambton Harbour and the part of The Terrace immediately above it. It is bounded on the north by the suburb Pipitea and extends as far south as Civic Square... |
Marian Hobbs Marian Hobbs Marian Leslie Hobbs , a New Zealand politician, was a Labour Member of Parliament from 1996 to 2008. She was initially a list MP and then represented the Wellington Central electorate... |
Grant Robertson Grant Robertson Grant Robertson is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament. He was elected to represent the Labour Party in the seat of Wellington Central at the 2008 general election. Robertson replaced Marian Hobbs, who had retired.... |
Stephen Franks Stephen Franks Stephen Franks in Wellington, New Zealand is a commercial lawyer. At one time, he was Chairman and Partner of the large firm Chapman Tripp. Franks has been a member of two political parties. He previously served as a List MP for the right wing Act New Zealand... |
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| West Coast-Tasman |
Damien O'Connor Damien O'Connor Damien Peter O'Connor is a New Zealand politician from the West Coast of the South Island. He is a member of the Labour Party and a Member of Parliament.-Early years:... |
Chris Auchinvole Chris Auchinvole Chris Auchinvole JP is a New Zealand politician.-Early years:Auchinvole was born in Prestwick, Scotland, and attended the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in England. In New Zealand, he has been involved with the export industry, and operated a company based on the West Coast... |
Damien O'Connor | ||||
| Whanganui Whanganui (New Zealand electorate) Whanganui is a New Zealand parliamentary electorate. It was first established in 1855 for the 2nd Parliament and has existed continuously since then.It is currently held by Chester Borrows MP.-Population centres:... |
Chester Borrows Chester Borrows Kerry James "Chester" Borrows is a New Zealand politician.-Early years:Borrows initially worked as a police officer, and later gained an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in a record time of two years and 14 days... |
Hamish McDouall | |||||
| Whangarei Whangarei (New Zealand electorate) rightWhangarei is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.National Party MP Phil Heatley has held it since 2008.-Population Centres:The electorate includes the following population centres:* Whangarei* Hikurangi* Ruakaka... |
Phil Heatley Philip Heatley Philip Reeve Heatley is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the National Party.-Member of Parliament:Since the 1999 elections, he has been MP for Whangarei, the city of his birth.... |
Paul Chalmers | |||||
| Wigram Wigram (New Zealand electorate) Wigram is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Wigram is Megan Woods. She takes over this position from the retiring Jim Anderton, who held this position from 1996 until 2011.-Population... |
Jim Anderton Jim Anderton James Patrick Anderton, usually known as Jim Anderton , is the leader of the Progressive Party, a New Zealand political party. He has served in Parliament since 1984. He served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1999 to 2002 and is currently also the sitting Father of the House, the longest... |
Marc Alexander Marc Alexander Marc Alexander is a former New Zealand politician. He was elected to Parliament as a list MP for the United Future New Zealand party in 2005, and stood unsuccessfully as the National Party candidate for Wigram in 2008.-Public activities:... |
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| Māori Electorates | |||||||
| Hauraki-Waikato | (New electorate) |
Nanaia Mahuta Nanaia Mahuta Nanaia Cybelle Mahuta BA, MA in social anthropology, is a New Zealand politician and was a cabinet minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand. She was Minister of Customs, Minister of Local Government, Minister of Youth Development, Associate Minister for the Environment and Associate... |
Angeline Greensill Angeline Greensill Angeline Ngahina Greensill is a prominent Māori political rights campaigner, academic and leader.-Early life:Greensill is of Tainui, Ngati Porou, and Ngati Paniora descent, born in the late 1940s in Kirikiriroa and raised at Te Kopua , Whaingaroa on the turangawaewae of Tainui o Tainui ki... |
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| Ikaroa-Rāwhiti |
Parekura Horomia Parekura Horomia Parekura Tureia Horomia is a New Zealand Labour Party past Minister of Māori Affairs-Early life:Horomia was born in Tolaga Bay of Ngati Porou, Te Aitanga Hauiti, Ngati Kahungunu and Ngai Tahu descent.... |
Derek Fox Derek Fox (New Zealand) Derek Tinia Fox is a New Zealand broadcaster, commentator, publisher, journalist and Māori Party candidate in several elections. He was the Mayor of Wairoa from 1995 to 2001.... |
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| Tāmaki Makaurau |
Pita Sharples Pita Sharples Pita Russell Sharples, CBE, , a Māori academic and politician, currently co-leads the Māori Party. He currently is the member for Tamaki Makaurau in New Zealand's Parliament.-Early life:... |
Louisa Wall Louisa Wall Louisa Hareruia Wall is a New Zealand MP and national representative netball and rugby union player.-Early and personal life :... |
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| Te Tai Hauāuru Te Tai Hauauru Te Tai Hauāuru is a New Zealand Parliamentary Māori electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Te Tai Hauāuru is Tariana Turia of the Māori Party... |
Tariana Turia Tariana Turia Tariana Turia is a New Zealand politician. She gained considerable prominence during the foreshore and seabed controversy, and eventually broke with her party as a result... |
Errol Mason | |||||
| Te Tai Tokerau |
Hone Harawira Hone Harawira Hone Pani Tamati Waka Nene Harawira is a New Zealand Māori activist and parliamentarian. He was elected to the Parliament of New Zealand for the Māori electorate of Te Tai Tokerau in the 2005 general election as the Māori Party candidate. His resignation caused the Te Tai Tokerau by-election, held... |
Kelvin Davis Kelvin Davis (politician) Kelvin Davis is a New Zealand politician and a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is a member of the Labour Party.-Member of Parliament:In the 2008 elections Davis stood for Labour in the Te Tai Tokerau seat... |
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| Te Tai Tonga |
Mahara Okeroa Mahara Okeroa The New Zealand politician Mahara Okeroa, a member of the Labour Party, represented the voters of the Te Tai Tonga Māori electorate as their Member of Parliament from 1999 to 2008.- Career :... |
Rahui Katene Rahui Katene Rahui Katene is a New Zealand politician. She was elected to the 49th New Zealand Parliament at the 2008 general election representing the Māori Party in the seat of Te Tai Tonga, but lost in the 2011 general election to Labour's Rino Tirikatene.- Ancestry :... |
Mahara Okeroa | ||||
| Waiariki Waiariki (New Zealand electorate) Waiariki is a New Zealand Parliamentary Māori electorate.It is currently held by Te Ururoa Flavell MP.-Population Centres:The electorate includes the following population centres:* Tauranga* Whakatane* Rotorua* Taupo-Tribal Areas:... |
Te Ururoa Flavell Te Ururoa Flavell Te Ururoa James William Ben Flavell is a New Zealand politician and serves as a member of the New Zealand Parliament.-Ancestry:... |
Mita Ririnui Mita Ririnui Mita Michael Ririnui is a New Zealand politician and a member of the Labour Party. He has been a member of parliament since 1999.-Early years:... |
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List results
| National | David Carter David Carter (politician) David Cunningham Carter is a New Zealand politician, currently a government cabinet minister. He is a member of the National Party.-Early life:... Chris Finlayson Chris Finlayson Christopher Francis Finlayson is a New Zealand lawyer, politician and Member of Parliament, representing the National Party. He is a Cabinet minister and the Attorney-General of New Zealand... Tim Groser Tim Groser Timothy John Groser is a current New Zealand politician and former diplomat.-Early years:He was born in Perth, Scotland and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1958... Steven Joyce Steven Joyce Steven Leonard Joyce is a New Zealand politician, who entered the New Zealand House of Representatives in 2008 as a member of the New Zealand National Party... Georgina Te Heuheu Georgina Te Heuheu Georgina Manunui te Heuheu QSO is a Māori descent of Tūhoe, Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa and Ngāti Awa. MP in the New Zealand National Party and a Cabinet Minister in the New Zealand Government.-Early life:... Richard Worth Richard Worth Richard Westwood Worth, OBE, VRD, KStJ is a former New Zealand politician. He was a member of the National Party parliamentary caucus until he resigned on Friday 12 June 2009.-Background:... 2 Tau Henare Tau Henare Tau Henare is a New Zealand Māori parliamentarian. He served as a Member of Parliament from 1993 to 1999 and returned to Parliament in 2005. He has been involved with four political parties: Mana Motuhake, New Zealand First, Mauri Pacific and the National Party - representing three in... Kate Wilkinson Kate Wilkinson Kate Wilkinson was an American stage, film and television actress, best known for her roles as Viola Stapleton in the CBS soap opera Guiding Light, a role she played from 1976 to 1981, and Clara Hudson on the NBC soap opera Another World, which she played from 1987 to 1989.In addition to... Hekia Parata Hekia Parata Hon. Hekia Parata, Lady Gardiner is a New Zealand politician and member of the New Zealand House of Representatives, having been elected to parliament in the 2008 general election... Melissa Lee Melissa Lee Melissa Lee is a New Zealand politician. She was elected to the House of Representatives as a list MP for the National Party in the 2008 election. She is currently a member of the Commerce and Law and Order committees.... Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi Kanwal Singh Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi is a New Zealand politician and a member of the National Party. He was elected into the 49th New Zealand Parliament in 2008 by way of the party list.-Member of Parliament:... Nicky Wagner Nicky Wagner Nicky Wagner is a New Zealand politician, who holds a list seat for the New Zealand National Party in the Parliament of New Zealand.-Early life and career:... Jackie Blue Jackie Blue Dr Jackie Blue MP is a New Zealand politician and member of Parliament for the National Party.-Personal life:Blue was born in 1956. She attended Selwyn College in Auckland, and then went on to gain a BSc from the University of Auckland in 1976 and MB ChB from Auckland Medical School in 1983... Katrina Shanks Katrina Shanks The New Zealand politician Katrina Shanks serves as a list member of Parliament for the New Zealand National Party Party. Shanks became a Member of Parliament on 7 February 2007, following the formal resignation of Don Brash from Parliament.... Paul Quinn Michael Woodhouse Michael Woodhouse Michael Woodhouse is a National member of the 49th New Zealand Parliament.-Early years:He was born and raised in South Dunedin and attended Kavanagh College which he left in 1983. After that he studied Commerce and Accounting at Otago University which he graduated from in 1993... Aaron Gilmore Aaron Gilmore Aaron Gilmore is a New Zealand politician and member of the New Zealand National Party. He has been a list MP since the 2008 election.-Early life and education:... |
| Unsuccessful: Cam Calder Cam Calder Campbell Gordon Calder , known as Cam Calder is a New Zealand doctor and politician representing the National Party as a member of Parliament.-Background:... 1, Conway Powell, Stephen Franks Stephen Franks Stephen Franks in Wellington, New Zealand is a commercial lawyer. At one time, he was Chairman and Partner of the large firm Chapman Tripp. Franks has been a member of two political parties. He previously served as a List MP for the right wing Act New Zealand... , Marc Alexander Marc Alexander Marc Alexander is a former New Zealand politician. He was elected to Parliament as a list MP for the United Future New Zealand party in 2005, and stood unsuccessfully as the National Party candidate for Wigram in 2008.-Public activities:... , Mita Harris, Terry Heffernan Terry Heffernan Terry Heffernan was a New Zealand politician who stood for Parliament on eight separate occasions. Heffernan was originally a member of the Social Credit Party before joining the New Zealand First Party and later, the New Zealand National Party.-Early years:He was born in Oamaru and attended St... , Ravi Musuku, Richard Whiteside, Paul O'Brien, Youngshin Watkins, Hamuera Mitchell, Viv Gurrey, Dugald McLean, Simon O'Connor Simon O'Connor Simon O'Connor is a New Zealand politician and a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is a member of the National Party.-Early life:O'Connor completed training to be a Catholic priest but did not seek ordination.... |
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| Labour | Michael Cullen2 Maryan Street Maryan Street Maryan Street is a Member of the New Zealand Parliament for the New Zealand Labour Party. In the 2005 elections, she became the first openly lesbian woman elected to the New Zealand Parliament.-Early years:... Rajen Prasad Rajen Prasad Dr Rajen Prasad, QSO, is a politician from New Zealand. He was elected to represent the Labour Party on the party list at the 2008 general election... Shane Jones Shane Jones Shane Geoffrey Jones is a New Zealand politician. He was a cabinet minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand.-Early life:Jones is Māori, of Te Aupōuri and Ngai Takoto descent, as well as having Dalmatian ancestry... David Parker Darren Hughes Darren Hughes Darren Colyn Hughes was a New Zealand Member of Parliament between 2002 and 2011, first elected at the age of 24. He represented the Labour Party and was a Minister outside Cabinet in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand.... 2 Jacinda Ardern Jacinda Ardern Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern is a politician from New Zealand. A member of the Labour Party, she was elected as a list MP at the 2008 general election.-Professional life:Ardern has spent time in London, working as a senior policy advisor... Raymond Huo Raymond Huo Raymond Huo is a Member of Parliament in New Zealand, and the New Zealand Labour Party's first MP of Chinese descent... Sue Moroney Sue Moroney Suzanne Mary Moroney , generally known as Sue Moroney, is a New Zealand politician. She is a member of the New Zealand Labour Party and was first elected at the 2005 general election. She is based in Hamilton, New Zealand.-Early life:... Mita Ririnui Mita Ririnui Mita Michael Ririnui is a New Zealand politician and a member of the Labour Party. He has been a member of parliament since 1999.-Early years:... Moana Mackey Moana Mackey Moana Lynore Mackey is a New Zealand politician and has represented the New Zealand Labour Party in the Parliament of New Zealand since 2003. She has Māori, Irish, Scottish and Spanish ancestry.... Phil Twyford Phil Twyford Philip Stoner Twyford is a politician from New Zealand and a member of the Labour Party. He has been a member of parliament since 2008. He is the Labour Party candidate for Te Atatū.-Member of Parliament:... Charles Chauvel Charles Chauvel (politician) Charles Pierre Chauvel is a New Zealand lawyer and politician. Since 2006 he has been a Member of Parliament in the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is the first New Zealand MP of Tahitian ancestry... Carol Beaumont Carol Beaumont Carol Ann Beaumont is a politician from New Zealand. She was elected to represent the Labour Party on the party list at the 2008 general election. Beaumont stood in the Maungakiekie electorate, finishing a close second.-Professional life:... Kelvin Davis Kelvin Davis (politician) Kelvin Davis is a New Zealand politician and a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is a member of the Labour Party.-Member of Parliament:In the 2008 elections Davis stood for Labour in the Te Tai Tokerau seat... Stephanie Chadwick Stephanie Chadwick Stephanie "Steve" Anne Chadwick is a New Zealand Labour Party politician. She held the positions of Minister of Conservation, Women's Affairs, and Associate Health in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand.... Ashraf Choudhary Ashraf Choudhary Dr Ashraf Choudhary, QSO, is a Pakistani-New Zealand scientist in agricultural engineering and a member of the Parliament in New Zealand. He is a member of the Labour Party, and is New Zealand's first MP from South Asia and Pakistan.... Lynne Pillay Lynne Pillay Barbara Lynne Pillay, known as Lynne Pillay is a New Zealand politician, and member of the Labour Party.- Member of Parliament :... Darien Fenton Darien Fenton Darien Fenton is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament.-Personal life and early career:Fenton's grandfather, Fred Frost, was a Labour MP for New Plymouth from 1938 – 1943.... Rick Barker Rick Barker Richard John Barker is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party, and was a middle-ranking Cabinet minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand.-Early life:... Carmel Sepuloni Carmel Sepuloni Carmel Sepuloni was a New Zealand Labour Party member of the New Zealand Parliament, and New Zealand's first MP of Tongan descent. She has been a Member of Parliament since 2008 and was Labour's candidate for Waitakere in the 2011 General Election... Stuart Nash Stuart Nash Stuart Nash is a politician from New Zealand. He was a Labour Member of Parliament from 2008 to 2011. Nash is the great-grandson of former Prime Minister, Walter Nash.-Professional life:... |
| Unsuccessful: Damien O'Connor Damien O'Connor Damien Peter O'Connor is a New Zealand politician from the West Coast of the South Island. He is a member of the Labour Party and a Member of Parliament.-Early years:... 1, Judith Tizard Judith Tizard Judith Tizard is a former New Zealand politician. She was a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Judith Ngaire Tizard was born in Auckland in 1956... , Mark Burton Mark Burton Richard Mark Burton is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party. He served as Minister of Defence; Minister of Justice; Minister of Local Government; Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations; Deputy Leader of the House; and the Minister Responsible for the Law... , Mahara Okeroa Mahara Okeroa The New Zealand politician Mahara Okeroa, a member of the Labour Party, represented the voters of the Te Tai Tonga Māori electorate as their Member of Parliament from 1999 to 2008.- Career :... , Martin Gallagher, Dave Hereora Dave Hereora Dave Hereora is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Hereora was born in 1956. He was a worker at Affco Meatworks and became a trade union organiser.-Political career:... , Louisa Wall Louisa Wall Louisa Hareruia Wall is a New Zealand MP and national representative netball and rugby union player.-Early and personal life :... 1, Lesley Soper Lesley Soper Lesley Soper is a New Zealand politician.-Political career:She was a Labour Party list member of Parliament for several months in 2005, replacing Jonathan Hunt, and she returned to Parliament in 2007 to fill the vacancy caused by Georgina Beyer's resignation.Soper is a member of the Labour Party,... , Hamish McCracken, Erin Ebborn-Gillespie, Errol Mason, Chris Yoo, Josephine Bartley, Don Pryde, Michael Wood, Farida Sultana, Denise MacKenzie, Julian Blanchard, Hamish McDouall, Anjum Rahmen, Susan Zhu, Kate Sutton, Conor Roberts, Koro Tawa, Jills Angus-Burney Rangitikei, Vivienne Goldsmith, Eamon Daly, Brian Kelly, Jordan Carter, Tracey Dorreen, Renee van de Weert, Anne Pankhurst, David Coates, Hugh Kinnimonth, Carol Devoy-Heena, Raj Thandi |
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| Greens | Jeanette Fitzsimons Jeanette Fitzsimons Jeanette Mary Fitzsimons, CNZM is a New Zealand politician and environmentalist. She was the co-leader of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand from 1995 to 2009, and was a Member of Parliament from 1996 to 2010.-Career:... 2 Russel Norman Russel Norman Dr Russel William Norman is a New Zealand politician and environmentalist. He is a Member of Parliament and co-leader of the Green Party alongside Metiria Turei.- Early life :... Sue Bradford Sue Bradford Sue Bradford is a New Zealand politician who served as a list Member of Parliament representing the Green Party from 1999 to 2009.- Early life :... 2 Metiria Turei Metiria Turei Metiria Leanne Agnes Stanton Turei is a New Zealand member of Parliament and the female co-leader of the Green Party. she is the Green Party spokesperson on Social Equity, Electoral Reform, Māori and Treaty Issues, Housing and Children.... Sue Kedgley Sue Kedgley Susan Jane Kedgley , BA , TTC , MA , is a New Zealand politician, food campaigner and author.-Early career and Wellington City Council:... Keith Locke Keith Locke Keith James Locke is a current New Zealand MP representing the Green Party who was first elected to parliament in 1999. he is the Green Party spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Ethnic Affairs, Pacific Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration, Police and Auckland Transport... Kevin Hague Kevin Hague Kevin Grant Hague is a current New Zealand MP representing the Green Party who was first elected to parliament in 2008.... Catherine Delahunty Catherine Delahunty Catherine Delahunty is a current New Zealand MP representing the Green Party who was first elected to parliament in 2008. she is the Green Party spokesperson on Education, Forestry, Treaty of Waitangi, Civil Defence, Disability Issues, Women's Affairs, Arts & Culture; and associate spokesperson on... Kennedy Graham Kennedy Graham Dr Kennedy Gollan Montrose Graham is a New Zealand politician and MP for the Green Party. He has served in the New Zealand Foreign Service for sixteen years, and lectured at the University of Canterbury and Victoria University of Wellington.... |
| Unsuccessful: David Clendon David Clendon David James Clendon is a New Zealand politician and member of the Green Party. Following the resignation of Sue Bradford, Clendon became a Member of the New Zealand Parliament on 2 November 2009.-Personal life:... 1, Gareth Hughes Gareth Hughes (politician) Gareth Thomas Llewelyn Hughes is a New Zealand politician and member of the Green Party. He took a seat in Parliament as the next person on the Green party list following the retirement of Jeanette Fitzsimons.-Early life:... 1, Steffan Browning Steffan Browning Steffan Browning is a New Zealand politician and a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is a member of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand.-Member of Parliament:... , Mojo Mathers Mojo Mathers Mojo Mathers is a New Zealand politician. She became known through her involvement with the Malvern Hills Protection Society and helped prevent the Central Plains Water Trust's proposal to build a large irrigation dam in Coalgate. She has been a senior policy advisor to the Green Party since... , Mike Ward Mike Ward (New Zealand) Mike Ward JP is a Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand politician. He was an MP for one term from 2002-2005. He was co-leader of the Values Party from 1985 to 1988... , Quentin Duthie, Mikaere Curtis, Richard Leckinger, Jeanette Elley, Virginia Horrocks, Donna Wynd, David Hay, Dianne Mellor, James Redwood, Lisa Er, Jan McLauchlan, Lizzie Gillett, Rayna Fahey, Craig Carson, Richard Tindall, Paul Doherty, Michael Woodcok, Pieter Watson, Bevan Tipene, Peter Taylor, Karen Summerhays, Mua Strickson-Pua, Gary Stewart, Dale Stevens, Brett Stansfield, James Shaw, Raewyn Saville, Denise Roche Denise Roche Denise Roche is a New Zealand politician who is a member of the Waiheke Local Board and the New Zealand House of Representatives, where she represents the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand.-Early life:... , Rebecca Redwood, Linda Persson, Rawiri Paratene Rawiri Paratene -Biography:Born in Hokianga, Paratene is from the Maori iwi of Nga Puhi. Paratene has appeared in a large number of television, stage and film roles. He is also a theatrical director and writer for film, television and theatre... , Lawrence O'Halloran, John Milnes, Alan Liefting, Martin Leiding, Dora Langsbury, Fiona Kenworthy, Jim Kebbell, Alan Johnson, Wendy Harper, Rob Hamill Rob Hamill Robert Miles Hamill, MNZM, is a New Zealand rower and political candidate. His brother was a victim of the Khmer Rouge in 1978.... , Rachel Grimwood, Tim Gow, Xavier Goldie, Michael Gilchrist, Ryan Garland, Shane Gallagher, Zachary Dorner, Kath Dewar, Peter Cooper, Joseph Burston, Oliver Briggs |
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| New Zealand First | Unsuccessful: Winston Peters Winston Peters Winston Raymond Peters is a New Zealand politician and leader of New Zealand First, a political party he founded in 1993. Peters has had a turbulent political career since entering Parliament in 1978. He served as Minister of Maori Affairs in the Bolger National Party Government before being... , Peter Brown, Ron Mark Ron Mark Major Ron Stanley Mark is a New Zealand politician, and is the current mayor of Carterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand.-Early years:... , Doug Woolerton Doug Woolerton Doug Woolerton is a New Zealand politician.-Early years:He was educated at Hamilton Boys' High School, and has a background in agriculture, having been a farmer for twenty-one years and director of a milk company for nine.... , Barbara Stewart Barbara Stewart Barbara Stewart is a New Zealand politician. She is a member of the New Zealand First party.-Early life:Stewart was born in Wairoa in 1952. She obtained a BEd and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies, both from the University of Waikato... , Pita Paraone Pita Paraone Pita Paraone, MNZM, is a New Zealand politician, Chairman of the Waitangi Trust Board. He is a member of the New Zealand First party.-Member of Parliamnet:... , Le-Aufa'amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor, Edwin Perry Edwin Perry Edwin Perry is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the New Zealand First party.-Member of Parliament:He was first elected to Parliament as a list MP in the 2002 elections, having also stood in the Wairarapa electorate. He formerly held office in the National Party's organisational wing.... , Steven Campbell, Brendan Horan Brendan Horan Brendan Horan was a weather presenter for Television New Zealand's ONE News, running on a regular cycle with Karen Olsen and Natalie Crook.... , Melanie Mark-Shadbolt David Scott, Tracey Martin Tracey Martin Tracey Martin is a New Zealand politician and a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives. She is a member of New Zealand First.-Political career:Martin successfully stood for the Rodney Local Board during the 2010 Auckland Council elections.... , Dail Jones Dail Jones Dail Michael John Jones QSO is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the New Zealand First party, and was formerly in the National Party.-Early life:Jones was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and attended Karachi Grammar School... , Brent Catchpole Brent Catchpole Brent Catchpole is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the New Zealand First party.-Professional life:Before entering politics, Catchpole worked first as an accountant and then as a marketing director for a tourism company... , Helen Mulford-Tyler, Craig McNair Craig McNair Craig McNair is a former New Zealand politician. He is a member of the New Zealand First party, and was a member of parliament from 2002 - 2005 for the party.-Early years:Before entering politics, McNair was a marketing manager... , Joseph Gregory, Douglas Nabbs, John Hall, Graham Odering, Linda King |
| ACT | Heather Roy Heather Roy Heather Roy , is a New Zealand politician and has served as an ACT Member of Parliament since 2002. From 2006 until 17 August 2010, Roy was ACT's Deputy Leader... Roger Douglas Roger Douglas Sir Roger Owen Douglas , is a New Zealand politician who formerly served as a senior New Zealand Labour Party Cabinet minister. He became arguably best-known for his prominent role in the radical economic restructuring undertaken by the Fourth Labour Government during the 1980s... John Boscawen John Boscawen John Boscawen is an ACT New Zealand member of the New Zealand House of Representatives and as of May 2011, ACT's Parliamentary Leader and former Minister of Consumer Affairs of New Zealand. He came to parliament in the 2008 general election as a list MP, having been ranked fourth... David Garrett David Garrett (politician) David Garrett is a former member of the New Zealand House of Representatives. He entered parliament at the 2008 general election as a list MP for ACT New Zealand, having been ranked fifth on that party's list. He was ACT's spokesman on law and order until he resigned from the party on 17 September... 2 |
| Unsuccessful: Hilary Calvert Hilary Calvert Hilary Calvert is a lawyer and a member of the New Zealand parliament for the ACT Party. Following the resignation of ACT MP David Garrett in September 2010, she assumed a position in the House of Representatives as the next MP on ACT's list.... 1, Peter Tashkoff, John Ormond, Colin du Plessis, Shawn Tan, Ron Scott, Aaron Keown, Nick Kearney, Lyn Murphy, David Olsen, Frances Denz, Dave Moore, Mike Bridge, Lech Beltowski, Beryl Good, Ashok Kumar, Dave Tattersfield, William Wong, John Thompson, Kevin Campbell, Mark Davies, Michael Bailey, Carl Freimann, Chris Albers, Vince Ashworth, Shane Atkinson, Ray Bassett, Hardev Brar, Mike Collins, Alan Davidson, Andrew Falloon, John Fraser |
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| Mäori Party | Unsuccessful: Angeline Greensill Angeline Greensill Angeline Ngahina Greensill is a prominent Māori political rights campaigner, academic and leader.-Early life:Greensill is of Tainui, Ngati Porou, and Ngati Paniora descent, born in the late 1940s in Kirikiriroa and raised at Te Kopua , Whaingaroa on the turangawaewae of Tainui o Tainui ki... , Derek Fox Derek Fox (New Zealand) Derek Tinia Fox is a New Zealand broadcaster, commentator, publisher, journalist and Māori Party candidate in several elections. He was the Mayor of Wairoa from 1995 to 2001.... , Naida Glavish, Iritana Tawhiwhirangi, Hector Matthews, Te Orohi Paul, Amokura Panoho, Grant Hawke, Bronwyn Yates, Josie Peita, Richard Orzecki, Mereana Pitman, Te Awanuiarangi Black, Georgina Haremate-Crawford |
| Progressive | Unsuccessful: Matt Robson Matt Robson Matthew Peter Robson is a New Zealand politician. He is deputy leader of the Progressive Party, and served in the Parliament from 1996 to 2005, first as a member of the Alliance, then as a Progressive.-Early years:... , Josephine Pagani, Paula Gillon, Philip Clearwater, Vivienne Shepherd, Trevor Barnard, Brenda Hill, Craig Hutchinson, Justin Robson, Ngov Ly, Sukerna Amirapu, Somnath Sarkar Bagchi, Sukhdev Singh Bains, Sokunthea Cheam, Seyed Kazemi Yazdi, Debbie Lucas, Claire Main, Philippa Main, John Maurice, Jacqueline McAlpine, Elizabeth Patchett, Talatala Po'e, Pavitra Roy, Elspeth Sandys, David Somerset, Ralph Taylor |
| United Future | Unsuccessful: Judy Turner Judy Turner Judy Turner is a New Zealand politician who is the deputy leader of United Future New Zealand. She was a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 2002 to 2008 as a list MP.-Member of Parliament:... , Denise Krum, Graeme Reeves Graeme Reeves The New Zealand politician Graeme Reeves , a member of the New Zealand National Party, represented Miramar in Parliament from 1990 to 1993, when Annette King of the New Zealand Labour Party won his seat.-Member of Parliament:... , Aaron Solomon, Murray Smith Murray Smith (New Zealand) Murray Smith was a New Zealand politician. He was a member of the United Future New Zealand party caucus, having been elected to Parliament as a list MP in the 2002 elections.-Christian Democrats:... , Neville Wilson, Francis Owen, Janet Tuck, Karuna Muthu, Robin Loomes, Gregory Graydon, Damian Light, Vanessa Roberts, Aaron Galey-Young, Ian McInnes, Kelleigh Sheffield-Cranstoun, Brian Ward, Vaughan Smith, James Stowers, Bryan Mockridge, Arthur Solomon, Jennifer Hurn, Manogi Head, Diane Brown, Quentin Todd, Rochelle White, John Langford, Philip Johnson, Kenneth Smith |
| Bill and Ben | Unsuccessful: Jamie Linehan (Bill), Benjamin Boyce (Ben) |
| Kiwi | Unsuccessful: Larry Baldock Larry Baldock Larry Baldock is a New Zealand politician. He was a member of Parliament for the United Future New Zealand party from 2002 to 2005... , Gordon Copeland Gordon Copeland Gordon Copeland is a New Zealand politician who was a Member of Parliament from 2002 to 2008. He was a list MP for the United Future New Zealand party from 2002 until he resigned from the party in 2007. He is now Party President of The Kiwi Party, which he co-founded with another former United... , Simon Kan, Frank Naea, Simonne Dyer, Bernie Ogilvy Bernie Ogilvy Bernard James Ogilvy is a New Zealand educator and politician. He was a list member of Parliament for the United Future New Zealand party from 2002 to 2005... , Anthony Christiansen Tony Christiansen Anthony Steven Christiansen is paralympian and a motivational and inspirational speaker from New Zealand, having lost his legs as a result of a train accident in his childhood... , Antony Buntin, Vapnierka Kupenga, Leighton Baker, Camilia Chin, Kevin Stitt, Robyn Jackson, Josephine van Kempen, Marjorie Mulholland, Joel Sison, Grace Haden, Joseph Rebello, Robin Westley, Rebekah Clement, Alistair Belcher, Amjad Khan, Lindsay Cameron, Philip Wescombe, Christian Dawson |
| Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis | Unsuccessful: Michael Appleby, Michael Britnell, Paula Lambert, Kevin O'Connell, Julian Crawford, Irinka Britnell, Steven Wilkinson, Judy Daniels, Vincent McLeod, Daniel Bruce, Paul McMullan, Jeffrey Lye, Philip Pophristoff, Jason Baker-Sherman, Judith Matangi, Neville Yates, Elanor Stedman, Peter Green, Mark Bradford, Frederick MacDonald |
| Pacific | Unsuccessful: Taito Phillip Field Taito Phillip Field Taito Phillip Hans Field is a Samoan New Zealand politician. He was a Member of Parliament for south Auckland electorates from 1993 to 2008. Field was a minister outside Cabinet in a Labour-led government from 2003 to 2005. Following charges of bribery and perverting the course of justice, he was... , Milo Siilata, Matapakia Ngaroi, Aiolupotea Roache, Darren Jones, Galumalemana Hunkin, Fia Turner-Tupou, Tevaga Leavasa, Vui Muliagatele Vitale, Maifea Tiumalumatua Fetu, Lupe Tofilau Eti-Vaofanua, Craig Jones, Fiasili Ah Tong, Timothy Manu |
| Family | Unsuccessful: Richard Lewis, Paul Adams Paul Adams (New Zealand) Paul Adams is a politician and former rally driving champion from New Zealand.-Early years:Adams was originally a carpenter and joiner, but later established a business manufacturing outdoor playground equipment. Later, he became a professional rally driver, and won three prestigious New Zealand... , Li Tao Xu, George Ngatai, Poutoa Papali'i, Samuel Dennis, Michael Kidd, Melanie Taylor, Karl Adams, Louise Cleary, Paul Tankard, Yih Woh Chong, Elias Kanaris, Jerry Filipaina |
| Alliance | Unsuccessful: Kay Murray, Andrew McKenzie, Victor Billot Victor Billot Victor Billot is a former co-leader of New Zealand's Alliance political party. He is also a writer, musician and unionist, former editor of Critic magazine, and performer in Alpha Plan and Das Phaedrus.-External links:*... , Paul Piesse Paul Piesse Paul Egerton Piesse is a co-leader of the Alliance, a New Zealand political party.Piesse has been heavily involved in the union movement, and has held a number of senior organisational roles. He was originally a supporter of the Labour Party, but joined NewLabour in protest of the economic policies... , Richard Wallis, Sarah Campbell, Robert van Ruyssevelt, James Flynn James R. Flynn James Robert Flynn PhD FRSNZ , aka Jim Flynn, Emeritus Professor of Political Studies at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, researches intelligence and has become well known for his discovery of the Flynn effect, the continued year-after-year increase of IQ scores in all parts of the... , Sarita Divis, Amy Tubman, Richard Mitchell, Jack Yan Jack Yan Jack Yan is a publisher, designer and businessman, born 1972 in Kowloon, Hong Kong.Yan founded his own company in 1987 while a teenager and grew it, initially, into the region's leading font software firm, claiming to be the first New Zealander to design digital typefaces... , Thomas Dowie, Thomas O'Neill, Kelly Buchanan, Jennifer Olsen, Greg Kleis, Matthew Stephen, Marvin Hubbard, Norman MacRitchie, Sandra Ethell, Justin Wilson, Quentin Findlay, Valerie Quinn, Sarah Martin, Peta Knibb, Warren Brewer, Denis O'Connor, Eric Gamble, Samuel Murray |
| Democrats for Social Credit | Unsuccessful: Stephnie de Ruyter Stephnie de Ruyter Stephnie de Ruyter is the leader of the New Zealand Democratic Party, a small left-wing New Zealand political party. The Democrats are currently outside Parliament.... , John Pemberton, David Wilson, Katherine Ransom, Carolyn McKenzie, David Tranter, Heather Smith, Hessel Van Wieren, Barry Pulford, Dawn McIntosh, Iain Parker, Nicholas McIlraith, Edgar Goodhue, John McCaskey, John Ring, Leslie Port, Bruce Stirling, Ross Weddell, Kelly Pemberton, David Espin, Ross Hayward, John Steemson, Karl Hewlett, Edward Fox, Malcolm Keoghan, John Kilbride, Harry Alchin-Smith, Alida Steemson, Roger White, Gary Gribben, Olive McRae |
| Libertarianz | Unsuccessful: Bernard Darnton Bernard Darnton Bernard Darnton is a former leader of Libertarianz, a libertarian political party in New Zealand.-Involvement in the Libertarianz party:... , Richard McGrath, Susan Ryder, Mitchell Lees, Colin Cross, Peter Cresswell, Peter Linton, Philip Howison, Nikolas Haden, Timothy Wikiriwhi, Michael Webber, Elahrairah Zamora, Helen Hughes, Michael Murphy, Peter Osborne, Sean Fitzpatrick, Scott Wilson, Luke Howison, Benjamin Morgan, Shane Pleasance, Robert Palmer, Shirley Riddle, Bruce Whitehead, Terence Verhoeven, Kenneth Riddle, Alfred Stevens, Euan McPetrie, Christopher Robertson, Peter Kermode, Lawrence Couper, Donald Rowberry, Willem Verhoeven, Mark Hubbard, Sean Kimpton, Julian Darby, Richard Goode |
| Workers | Unsuccessful: Donald Franks, Daphna Whitmore, Nicholas Kelly, Paul Hopkinson, Byron Clark, Jasmine Freemantle, Rebecca Broad, Timothy Bowron, Jennifer Isle, Heleyni Pratley, Joel Cosgrove, Marika Pratley, Joshua Glue, Nicolas Scullin |
| RAM | Unsuccessful: Oliver Woods, Grant Brookes, Roger Fowler, Elliott Blade, Michelle Ducat, Martin Kaipo, Cordelia Black, Stephen Cooper, Daphne Lawless, Grant Rogers, Donald Archer, Patrick O'Dea, Bronwen Beechey, Robyn Hughes Robyn Hughes Robyn Hughes is a local body politician in Auckland, New Zealand. She represented Manukau City on the Auckland Regional Council between 2004 and 2007... , Benjamin Doherty, Rafe Copeland, Michael Lai, Curwen Rolinson, Peter Hughes, David Colyer, Kyle Webster, Samuel Richardson, Thomas Pearce, Leonard Parker, Jonathan Williams, Peter de Wall |
| Republic of New Zealand | Unsuccessful: Kerry Bevin Kerry Bevin Kerry Bevin was leader of The Republic of New Zealand Party, and was a list candidate for the 2005 and 2008 general elections.The party received the lowest number of votes for any party in both the 2005 and 2008 general elections.... , Jack Gielen, David Llewell, Brett Docherty, Justin Harnish, David Macartney |
Notes:
- These party list members would eventually enter parliament in the term as other list MPs elected resigned from parliament.
- These party list members have since resigned.
Dates
New Zealand elections traditionally occur after September in the third year following the last election, and snap electionSnap election
A snap election is an election called earlier than expected. Generally it refers to an election in a parliamentary system called when not required , usually to capitalize on a unique electoral opportunity or to decide a pressing issue...
s occur rarely; the only three elections out of sync in the period of 1948 to 2008 took place in 1951
New Zealand general election, 1951
The 1951 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 30th term. It saw the governing National Party remain in office, increasing its lead over the opposition Labour Party.-Background:...
, 1984
New Zealand general election, 1984
The 1984 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the 41st New Zealand Parliament. It marked the beginning of the Fourth Labour Government, with David Lange's Labour Party defeating long-serving Prime Minister Robert Muldoon of the National Party. It was also the...
and 2002
New Zealand general election, 2002
The 2002 New Zealand general election was held on 27 July 2002 to determine the composition of the 47th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the reelection of Helen Clark's Labour Party government, as well as the worst-ever performance by the opposition National Party.Arguably the most controversial...
—and the last two came only a few months early. Convention
Constitutional convention (political custom)
A constitutional convention is an informal and uncodified procedural agreement that is followed by the institutions of a state. In some states, notably those Commonwealth of Nations states that follow the Westminster system and whose political systems derive from British constitutional law, most...
in New Zealand expects Parliaments to run for a full three years unless the government loses the confidence of the House, although this has not happened since 1911.
The Constitution Act 1986
New Zealand Constitution Act 1986
The Constitution Act 1986 is the principal formal statement of New Zealand's Constitution.It ended the last remaining associations of New Zealand with the British Parliament.-1984 constitutional crisis:...
defines the term of Parliament as "three years from the day fixed for the return of the writs issued for the last preceding general election of members of the House of Representatives, and no longer". Since the writs for the 2005 election were returned on 6 October 2005,
the ensuing 48th New Zealand Parliament
48th New Zealand Parliament
The 48th New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. Its composition was determined at a general election held on 17 September 2005. The new parliament met for the first time on 7 November 2005...
expired on 6 October 2008, making 15 November the final possible date for the 2008 general election.
On Friday 12 September 2008, Prime Minister Helen Clark
Helen Clark
Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008...
announced that the general election would take place on 8 November 2008. This set the full election timetable as:
- Dissolution of parliament – Friday, 3 October 2008.
- Writ dayWrit of electionA writ of election is a writ issued by the government ordering the holding of a special election for a political office.In the United Kingdom and in Canada, this is the only way of holding an election for the House of Commons...
– Wednesday, 8 October. - Nominations day – Tuesday, 14 October.
- Election day – Saturday, 8 November.
- Official results declared and writs returned by Saturday, 22 November.
- The 49th Parliament49th New Zealand ParliamentThe 49th New Zealand Parliament was elected at the 2008 election. It consists of 122 members, including an overhang of two seats caused by the Māori Party having won two more electorate seats than its share of the party vote would otherwise have given it. The Parliament will serve from 2008 until...
must convene no later than Saturday 3 January 2009.
Contesting parties
Nineteen registered political parties contested the party vote:| party | leader(s) | elections contested by party | seats won in 2005 | seats won in 2008 | |
| parties that won seats at the 2005 general election | |||||
| ACT | Rodney Hide Rodney Hide Rodney Hide is a New Zealand politician who was leader of the political party ACT New Zealand from 2004 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he represented the electorate of Epsom as its Member of Parliament. Rodney Hide was Minister of Local Government, Associate Minister of Commerce and Minister of... |
1996 New Zealand general election, 1996 The 1996 New Zealand general election was held on 12 October 1996 to determine the composition of the 45th New Zealand Parliament. It was notable for being the first election to be held under the new Mixed Member Proportional electoral system, and produced a parliament considerably more diverse... – |
2 | 5 | |
| Green Party Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is a political party that has seats in the New Zealand parliament. It focuses firstly on environmentalism, arguing that all other aspects of humanity will cease to be of concern if there is no environment to sustain it... |
Jeanette Fitzsimons Jeanette Fitzsimons Jeanette Mary Fitzsimons, CNZM is a New Zealand politician and environmentalist. She was the co-leader of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand from 1995 to 2009, and was a Member of Parliament from 1996 to 2010.-Career:... & Russel Norman Russel Norman Dr Russel William Norman is a New Zealand politician and environmentalist. He is a Member of Parliament and co-leader of the Green Party alongside Metiria Turei.- Early life :... |
1990 New Zealand general election, 1990 The 1990 New Zealand general election was held on 27 October to determine the composition of the 43rd New Zealand parliament. The governing Labour Party was defeated, ending its controversial two terms in office... ; 1999 New Zealand general election, 1999 The 1999 New Zealand general election was held on 27 November 1999 to determine the composition of the 46th New Zealand Parliament. The governing National Party, led by Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, was defeated, being replaced by a coalition of Helen Clark's Labour Party and the smaller Alliance... – |
6 | 9 | |
| Labour Party New Zealand Labour Party The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935.... |
Helen Clark Helen Clark Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008... |
1919– | 50 | 43 | |
| Māori Party Maori Party The Māori Party, a political party in New Zealand, was formed on 7 July 2004. The Party is guided by eight constitutional "kaupapa", or Party objectives. Tariana Turia formed the Māori Party after resigning from the Labour Party where she had been a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour-led... |
Tariana Turia Tariana Turia Tariana Turia is a New Zealand politician. She gained considerable prominence during the foreshore and seabed controversy, and eventually broke with her party as a result... & Pita Sharples Pita Sharples Pita Russell Sharples, CBE, , a Māori academic and politician, currently co-leads the Māori Party. He currently is the member for Tamaki Makaurau in New Zealand's Parliament.-Early life:... |
2005 New Zealand general election, 2005 The 2005 New Zealand general election held on 17 September 2005 determined the composition of the 48th New Zealand Parliament. No party won a majority in the unicameral House of Representatives, but the Labour Party of Prime Minister Helen Clark secured two more seats than nearest rival, the... – |
4 | 5 | |
| National Party New Zealand National Party The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:... |
John Key John Key John Phillip Key is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, in office since 2008. He has led the New Zealand National Party since 2006.... |
1938 New Zealand general election, 1938 The 1938 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 26th term. It resulted in the governing Labour Party being re-elected, although the newly-founded National Party gained a certain amount of ground.-Background:The Labour Party had won... – |
48 | 58 | |
| New Zealand First New Zealand First New Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992... |
Winston Peters Winston Peters Winston Raymond Peters is a New Zealand politician and leader of New Zealand First, a political party he founded in 1993. Peters has had a turbulent political career since entering Parliament in 1978. He served as Minister of Maori Affairs in the Bolger National Party Government before being... |
1993 New Zealand general election, 1993 The 1993 New Zealand general election was held on 6 November 1993 to determine the composition of the 44th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Jim Bolger, win a second term in office, despite a major swing back towards the Labour Party. The new Alliance and New... – |
7 | 0 | |
| Progressive Party New Zealand Progressive Party Jim Anderton's Progressive Party , is a New Zealand political party generally somewhat to the left of its ally, the Labour Party.... |
Jim Anderton Jim Anderton James Patrick Anderton, usually known as Jim Anderton , is the leader of the Progressive Party, a New Zealand political party. He has served in Parliament since 1984. He served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1999 to 2002 and is currently also the sitting Father of the House, the longest... |
2002 New Zealand general election, 2002 The 2002 New Zealand general election was held on 27 July 2002 to determine the composition of the 47th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the reelection of Helen Clark's Labour Party government, as well as the worst-ever performance by the opposition National Party.Arguably the most controversial... – |
1 | 1 | |
| United Future | Peter Dunne Peter Dunne Peter Dunne is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament who leads the United Future political party. He has served as a Cabinet minister in governments dominated by the centre-left Labour Party as well as by the centre-right National Party... |
1996 New Zealand general election, 1996 The 1996 New Zealand general election was held on 12 October 1996 to determine the composition of the 45th New Zealand Parliament. It was notable for being the first election to be held under the new Mixed Member Proportional electoral system, and produced a parliament considerably more diverse... – |
3 | 1 | |
| parties that did not win seats at the 2005 election | |||||
| Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party is a political party in New Zealand. It is dedicated to removing or reducing restrictions on the use of cannabis and similar substances... |
Michael Appleby Michael Appleby (New Zealand) Michael Appleby is the leader of the small Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party, a political party in New Zealand dedicated to the relaxation or repeal of laws against the use of cannabis. Appleby also stands as his party's candidate in the Wellington Central electorate, coming fifth in the 2008 election... |
1996 New Zealand general election, 1996 The 1996 New Zealand general election was held on 12 October 1996 to determine the composition of the 45th New Zealand Parliament. It was notable for being the first election to be held under the new Mixed Member Proportional electoral system, and produced a parliament considerably more diverse... – |
0 | 0 | |
| Alliance Alliance (New Zealand political party) The Alliance is a left-wing political party in New Zealand. It was formed in 1991, and was influential in the 1990s, but has since declined and has no representation in parliament. It suffered a major setback after Jim Anderton, the party's leader, left the party in 2002, taking several of the... |
Andrew McKenzie & Kay Murray | 1993 New Zealand general election, 1993 The 1993 New Zealand general election was held on 6 November 1993 to determine the composition of the 44th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Jim Bolger, win a second term in office, despite a major swing back towards the Labour Party. The new Alliance and New... – |
0 | 0 | |
| Democrats for Social Credit New Zealand Democratic Party The New Zealand Democratic Party for Social Credit is a small leftist political party in New Zealand. It is based around the ideas of Social Credit, an economic theory which also attracted some degree of support in Canada and Australia... |
Stephnie de Ruyter Stephnie de Ruyter Stephnie de Ruyter is the leader of the New Zealand Democratic Party, a small left-wing New Zealand political party. The Democrats are currently outside Parliament.... |
1954 New Zealand general election, 1954 The 1954 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 31st term. It saw the governing National Party remain in office, but with a slightly reduced majority... –1990 New Zealand general election, 1990 The 1990 New Zealand general election was held on 27 October to determine the composition of the 43rd New Zealand parliament. The governing Labour Party was defeated, ending its controversial two terms in office... (As Social Credit Social Credit Party (New Zealand) The New Zealand Social Credit Party was a political party which served as the country's "third party" from the 1950s through into the 1980s. The party held a number of seats in the New Zealand Parliament, although never more than two at a time... until 1985); 2005 New Zealand general election, 2005 The 2005 New Zealand general election held on 17 September 2005 determined the composition of the 48th New Zealand Parliament. No party won a majority in the unicameral House of Representatives, but the Labour Party of Prime Minister Helen Clark secured two more seats than nearest rival, the... – |
0 | 0 | |
| Libertarianz Libertarianz Libertarianz is a political party in New Zealand that advocates libertarianism, favouring self-government and limiting the power of the government over the individual. Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism is a major influence on the party... |
Bernard Darnton Bernard Darnton Bernard Darnton is a former leader of Libertarianz, a libertarian political party in New Zealand.-Involvement in the Libertarianz party:... |
1996 New Zealand general election, 1996 The 1996 New Zealand general election was held on 12 October 1996 to determine the composition of the 45th New Zealand Parliament. It was notable for being the first election to be held under the new Mixed Member Proportional electoral system, and produced a parliament considerably more diverse... – |
0 | 0 | |
| The Republic of New Zealand Party The Republic of New Zealand Party The Republic of New Zealand Party was a political party in New Zealand. The party's registration was cancelled at its own request in 2009... |
Kerry Bevin Kerry Bevin Kerry Bevin was leader of The Republic of New Zealand Party, and was a list candidate for the 2005 and 2008 general elections.The party received the lowest number of votes for any party in both the 2005 and 2008 general elections.... |
2005 New Zealand general election, 2005 The 2005 New Zealand general election held on 17 September 2005 determined the composition of the 48th New Zealand Parliament. No party won a majority in the unicameral House of Representatives, but the Labour Party of Prime Minister Helen Clark secured two more seats than nearest rival, the... – |
0 | 0 | |
| parties that have not previously contested a general election in New Zealand | |||||
| Bill and Ben Bill and Ben Party The Bill and Ben Party was a New Zealand joke political party formed in 2008 and voluntarily deregistered in 2010. The party's leaders were Jamie Linehan and Ben Boyce of the TV3 satirical sports show Pulp Sport... |
Jamie Linehan & Ben Boyce | 2008 | – | 0 | |
| The Family Party | Richard Lewis | 2008 | – | 0 | |
| Kiwi Party | Larry Baldock Larry Baldock Larry Baldock is a New Zealand politician. He was a member of Parliament for the United Future New Zealand party from 2002 to 2005... |
2008 | – | 0 | |
| New Zealand Pacific Party New Zealand Pacific Party The New Zealand Pacific Party was a Christian political party that existed in New Zealand from 2008 to 2010. The party was founded as a vehicle for former Labour MP Taito Phillip Field, who was subsequently convicted for bribery and corruption... |
Taito Phillip Field Taito Phillip Field Taito Phillip Hans Field is a Samoan New Zealand politician. He was a Member of Parliament for south Auckland electorates from 1993 to 2008. Field was a minister outside Cabinet in a Labour-led government from 2003 to 2005. Following charges of bribery and perverting the course of justice, he was... |
2008 | – | 0 | |
| Residents Action Movement Residents Action Movement The Residents Action Movement was a political party in New Zealand. RAM described itself as a broad left coalition, stretching from social liberals, community activists and former National Party members to social democrats, democratic socialists and left-wing radicals... |
Oliver Woods | 2008 | – | 0 | |
| Workers Party Workers Party of New Zealand The Workers Party of New Zealand was a socialist/communist political party in New Zealand... |
Daphna Whitmore | 2008 | – | 0 | |
Non-contesting parties
The following parties either disappeared during the previous parliament's term (2005 to 2008), or did not contest the 2008 elections for other reasons.| party | leader(s) | elections contested by party | ||
| registered political parties that did not submit a list | ||||
| Direct Democracy Direct Democracy Party of New Zealand The Direct Democracy Party of New Zealand was a political party in New Zealand that promoted greater participation by the people in the decision-making of government. The party's leader was Kelvyn Alp.... |
Kelvyn Alp Kelvyn Alp Kelvyn Alp born 27 March 1971, was the leader of the Direct Democracy Party of New Zealand which stood in the 2005 general elections. He also stood for Mayor of Manukau in 2007. Alp stood in the 2011 Te Tai Tokerau by-election under the OurNZ Party banner receving 0.5% of the vote... |
2005 New Zealand general election, 2005 The 2005 New Zealand general election held on 17 September 2005 determined the composition of the 48th New Zealand Parliament. No party won a majority in the unicameral House of Representatives, but the Labour Party of Prime Minister Helen Clark secured two more seats than nearest rival, the... – |
||
| New World Order Party New World Order Party The New World Order was a registered political party in New Zealand. The party was founded in 2006 by Nathan Lee Couper. Its stated goal was to bring about global peace through a unified World Government... |
Nathan Couper | – | ||
| parties dissolved or deregistered since 2005 election | ||||
| 99 MP Party 99 MP Party The 99 MP Party was a small New Zealand political party that contested the 2005 General Election. It supported a reduction of the number of Members of Parliament from 120 to 99.-History:... |
Margaret Robertson | 2005 New Zealand general election, 2005 The 2005 New Zealand general election held on 17 September 2005 determined the composition of the 48th New Zealand Parliament. No party won a majority in the unicameral House of Representatives, but the Labour Party of Prime Minister Helen Clark secured two more seats than nearest rival, the... |
||
| Christian Heritage Christian Heritage New Zealand The Christian Heritage Party of New Zealand was a New Zealand political party espousing Christian values... |
Ewen McQueen Ewen McQueen Ewen McQueen is a New Zealand politician who is currently a member of the New Zealand National Party. He was the third and final leader of Christian Heritage New Zealand, a religious political party in New Zealand that is now defunct.-Early years:... |
1990 New Zealand general election, 1990 The 1990 New Zealand general election was held on 27 October to determine the composition of the 43rd New Zealand parliament. The governing Labour Party was defeated, ending its controversial two terms in office... –2005 New Zealand general election, 2005 The 2005 New Zealand general election held on 17 September 2005 determined the composition of the 48th New Zealand Parliament. No party won a majority in the unicameral House of Representatives, but the Labour Party of Prime Minister Helen Clark secured two more seats than nearest rival, the... |
||
| Destiny New Zealand Destiny New Zealand Destiny New Zealand was a Christian political party in New Zealand centred on the charismatic/pentecostal Destiny Church. The party described itself as "centre-right". It placed a strong focus on socially conservative values and argued that the breakdown of the traditional family was a primary... |
Richard Lewis | 2005 New Zealand general election, 2005 The 2005 New Zealand general election held on 17 September 2005 determined the composition of the 48th New Zealand Parliament. No party won a majority in the unicameral House of Representatives, but the Labour Party of Prime Minister Helen Clark secured two more seats than nearest rival, the... |
||
| New Zealand Family Rights Protection Party New Zealand Family Rights Protection Party The New Zealand Family Rights Protection Party was a political party in New Zealand. It was primarily based around Pacific Islanders, and claims that the established political parties do not give sufficient consideration to the concerns of Pacific Islanders in New Zealand.The party was approved for... |
Susi Pa'o Williams | 2005 New Zealand general election, 2005 The 2005 New Zealand general election held on 17 September 2005 determined the composition of the 48th New Zealand Parliament. No party won a majority in the unicameral House of Representatives, but the Labour Party of Prime Minister Helen Clark secured two more seats than nearest rival, the... |
||
| OneNZ One New Zealand Party The One New Zealand Party was a small political party in New Zealand. It was partly modeled on the Australian One Nation Party, founded by Pauline Hanson. Its primary focus was on matters such as the Treaty of Waitangi, but its wider platform was broadly paleoconservative or producerist... |
Alan McCulloch Alan McCulloch Alan McCulloch is the leader of the small One New Zealand political party in New Zealand. He has previously served as president of the party, Mayor of East Coast Bays, a region of northern Auckland, and has also served in a number of official roles in North Shore, such as president of Grey Power,... |
1999 New Zealand general election, 1999 The 1999 New Zealand general election was held on 27 November 1999 to determine the composition of the 46th New Zealand Parliament. The governing National Party, led by Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, was defeated, being replaced by a coalition of Helen Clark's Labour Party and the smaller Alliance... –2005 New Zealand general election, 2005 The 2005 New Zealand general election held on 17 September 2005 determined the composition of the 48th New Zealand Parliament. No party won a majority in the unicameral House of Representatives, but the Labour Party of Prime Minister Helen Clark secured two more seats than nearest rival, the... |
||
Retiring MPs
In the months preceding the election 13 Members of Parliament announced that they would not seek re-election to the House of Representatives in 2008, namely:- from LabourNew Zealand Labour PartyThe New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
, 9 members:- Tim Barnett (Christchurch CentralChristchurch CentralChristchurch Central is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate in the South Island city of Christchurch. The electorate was established for the 1946 election and has always been won by the Labour Party. Since 2008, the incumbent is Brendon Burns...
) - David Benson-PopeDavid Benson-PopeDavid Henry Benson-Pope is a New Zealand Labour Party politician who sat in the Parliament of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008. He formerly served as a cabinet minister....
(Dunedin SouthDunedin SouthDunedin South is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate. It first existed from 1881–1890, then from 1905–1946 and was re-established for the introduction of MMP in 1996. A Labour Party stronghold, it has been represented by Clare Curran since the .-Area:...
) - Mark GoscheMark GoscheMark James Gosche is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party. He was born in Auckland to Samoan parents, and has been active in New Zealand's Pacific Islander community.-Member of Parliament:...
(MaungakiekieMaungakiekie (New Zealand electorate)Maungakiekie is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Maungakiekie is Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga of the National Party...
) - Marian HobbsMarian HobbsMarian Leslie Hobbs , a New Zealand politician, was a Labour Member of Parliament from 1996 to 2008. She was initially a list MP and then represented the Wellington Central electorate...
(Wellington CentralWellington CentralrightWellington Central is a suburb of New Zealand's capital, Wellington, consisting of the flat, mostly reclaimed land, west of Lambton Harbour and the part of The Terrace immediately above it. It is bounded on the north by the suburb Pipitea and extends as far south as Civic Square...
) - Steve MahareySteve MahareySteven "Steve" Maharey CNZM is a former Member of Parliament for Palmerston North in New Zealand, as a member of the Labour Party...
(Palmerston NorthPalmerston North (New Zealand electorate)Palmerston North is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Palmerston North is Iain Lees-Galloway of the Labour Party...
) - Jill PettisJill PettisMarjorie Jill Pettis is a New Zealand politician, and a member of the Labour Party.Pettis became MP for Whanganui in the 1993 elections, but in 2005 she narrowly lost the seat to Chester Borrows. She was returned to Parliament however as a list MP...
(list MP) - Dover SamuelsDover SamuelsDover Spencer Peneha Samuels was a Labour Member of Parliament in New Zealand from 1996 to 2008 inclusive.He first entered Parliament as a list MP in the 1996 elections, and was the MP for Te Tai Tokerau since the 1999 elections...
(list MP) - Paul SwainPaul SwainPaul Desmond Swain, QSO is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Swain was born in Palmerston North on 20 December 1951. He attended St. Patrick's College in Wellington...
(RimutakaRimutaka (New Zealand electorate)Rimutaka is an electorate returning one member to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current representative is Chris Hipkins. He is a member of the Labour Party, and has represented the seat since 2008....
) - Margaret WilsonMargaret WilsonDame Margaret Wilson DCNZM is a New Zealand academic and former politician. She was Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives during the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand. She is a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:...
(list MP)
- Tim Barnett (Christchurch Central
- from NationalNew Zealand National PartyThe New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
, 4 members:- Mark BlumskyMark BlumskyMark Herbert Blumsky QSO is a New Zealand politician. He was Mayor of Wellington from 1995 to 2001, and Member of Parliament for the National Party from 2005 to 2008...
(list MP) - Bob ClarksonBob ClarksonBob Clarkson, CNZM was National Party MP for Tauranga in the 48th Parliament of New Zealand.-Biography:In 1958 Clarkson qualified as a fitter and turner in Gisborne. He then moved to the Waikato and worked on the Kaimai Tunnel...
(TaurangaTauranga (New Zealand electorate)Tauranga is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Tauranga is Simon Bridges of the National Party, who won the seat in the 2008 New Zealand general election, after the previous MP, Bob Clarkson of...
) - Katherine Rich (list MP)
- Clem SimichClem SimichClement Rudolph "Clem" Simich or Šimić, QSO is a New Zealand politician for the National Party. He was born in Te Kopuru, Northland on 2 June 1939.-Member of Parliament:...
(list MP)
- Mark Blumsky
Several list MPs elected in 2005 resigned before the end of the term; for a full list, see 48th New Zealand Parliament#Changes during term.
New Zealand First Party
New Zealand FirstNew Zealand First
New Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...
received 4.07% of the party vote – below the threshold of 5% – and failed to win an electorate seat. The party's seven MPs lost their seats:
- Winston PetersWinston PetersWinston Raymond Peters is a New Zealand politician and leader of New Zealand First, a political party he founded in 1993. Peters has had a turbulent political career since entering Parliament in 1978. He served as Minister of Maori Affairs in the Bolger National Party Government before being...
Leader, and second in TaurangaTaurangaTauranga is the most populous city in the Bay of Plenty region, in the North Island of New Zealand.It was settled by Europeans in the early 19th century and was constituted as a city in 1963...
by 11,742 votes - Peter Brown 2nd on List and Deputy Leader
- Ron MarkRon MarkMajor Ron Stanley Mark is a New Zealand politician, and is the current mayor of Carterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand.-Early years:...
(list MP; 3rd in Rimutaka) - Doug WoolertonDoug WoolertonDoug Woolerton is a New Zealand politician.-Early years:He was educated at Hamilton Boys' High School, and has a background in agriculture, having been a farmer for twenty-one years and director of a milk company for nine....
(list MP) - Barbara StewartBarbara StewartBarbara Stewart is a New Zealand politician. She is a member of the New Zealand First party.-Early life:Stewart was born in Wairoa in 1952. She obtained a BEd and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies, both from the University of Waikato...
(list MP) - Pita ParaonePita ParaonePita Paraone, MNZM, is a New Zealand politician, Chairman of the Waitangi Trust Board. He is a member of the New Zealand First party.-Member of Parliamnet:...
(list MP) - Dail JonesDail JonesDail Michael John Jones QSO is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the New Zealand First party, and was formerly in the National Party.-Early life:Jones was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and attended Karachi Grammar School...
(list MP at number 14)
Labour Party
- Damien O'ConnorDamien O'ConnorDamien Peter O'Connor is a New Zealand politician from the West Coast of the South Island. He is a member of the Labour Party and a Member of Parliament.-Early years:...
(MP for West Coast-Tasman) - Dave HereoraDave HereoraDave Hereora is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Hereora was born in 1956. He was a worker at Affco Meatworks and became a trade union organiser.-Political career:...
(list MP) - Harry DuynhovenHarry DuynhovenHarry James Duynhoven is a New Zealand politician. He is the current mayor of the city of New Plymouth and surrounding districts. He assumed office in October 2010. He was a Member of Parliament for the Labour Party.-Early life:...
(MP for New PlymouthNew Plymouth (New Zealand electorate)New Plymouth is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate. It was first created for the 1st New Zealand Parliament in 1853 and has existed since, with one 22-year interruption...
) - Judith TizardJudith TizardJudith Tizard is a former New Zealand politician. She was a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Judith Ngaire Tizard was born in Auckland in 1956...
(MP for Auckland Central) - Lesley SoperLesley SoperLesley Soper is a New Zealand politician.-Political career:She was a Labour Party list member of Parliament for several months in 2005, replacing Jonathan Hunt, and she returned to Parliament in 2007 to fill the vacancy caused by Georgina Beyer's resignation.Soper is a member of the Labour Party,...
(list MP) - Louisa WallLouisa WallLouisa Hareruia Wall is a New Zealand MP and national representative netball and rugby union player.-Early and personal life :...
(list MP) - Mahara OkeroaMahara OkeroaThe New Zealand politician Mahara Okeroa, a member of the Labour Party, represented the voters of the Te Tai Tonga Māori electorate as their Member of Parliament from 1999 to 2008.- Career :...
(MP for Te Tai Tonga) - Mark BurtonMark BurtonRichard Mark Burton is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party. He served as Minister of Defence; Minister of Justice; Minister of Local Government; Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations; Deputy Leader of the House; and the Minister Responsible for the Law...
(MP for TaupoTaupo (New Zealand electorate)rightTaupō is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Taupō is Louise Upston of the National Party. She has held this position since 2008.The current Taupō seat was created ahead of the introduction...
) - Martin Gallagher MP for Hamilton WestHamilton West (New Zealand electorate)Hamilton West is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It has been held by Tim Macindoe MP of the National Party since the 2008 general election.-Population centres:...
) - Russell FairbrotherRussell FairbrotherRussell Fairbrother is a lawyer and former New Zealand politician. He was a Labour Party Member of Parliament from 2002 to 2008.-Early years:Fairbrother was born into a truck driving family and raised in the Wairarapa town of Carterton....
(MP for NapierNapier (New Zealand electorate)thumb|right|Boundaries of Napier Electorate for 2008 and 2011 electionsNapier is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Napier is Chris Tremain, of the National Party. He has held this position since...
)
Independents
- Gordon CopelandGordon CopelandGordon Copeland is a New Zealand politician who was a Member of Parliament from 2002 to 2008. He was a list MP for the United Future New Zealand party from 2002 until he resigned from the party in 2007. He is now Party President of The Kiwi Party, which he co-founded with another former United...
(list MP) - Taito Phillip FieldTaito Phillip FieldTaito Phillip Hans Field is a Samoan New Zealand politician. He was a Member of Parliament for south Auckland electorates from 1993 to 2008. Field was a minister outside Cabinet in a Labour-led government from 2003 to 2005. Following charges of bribery and perverting the course of justice, he was...
(MP for MangereMangere (New Zealand electorate)Māngere is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Māngere is Su'a William Sio, elected for the Labour Party. He has held this seat since 2008....
)
Voter enrolment and turnout
The rolls listed almost 3 million people registered to vote in the election, a record number representing 95.3% of the estimated eligible voting population.In contrast, voter turnout of 79.5% of enrolled voters came in lower than in most previous elections, the second-lowest since 1978 (when a large number of outdated and duplicate enrolments deflated the figure) and third-lowest since 1902.
Political scientist Stephen Levine from Victoria University
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
speculated that the low turnout may have resulted from the National Party's large lead over Labour in opinion polls running up to the election.
Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples
Pita Sharples
Pita Russell Sharples, CBE, , a Māori academic and politician, currently co-leads the Māori Party. He currently is the member for Tamaki Makaurau in New Zealand's Parliament.-Early life:...
expressed concern that only 55% of those on the Maori roll had voted.
Electoral Finance Act
The Electoral Finance Act 2007Electoral Finance Act
The Electoral Finance Act 2007 was a controversial act in New Zealand. The Electoral Finance Bill was introduced by the Fifth Labour Government partly in response to the 2005 New Zealand election funding controversy, in particular "third-party" campaigns....
passed by the Labour government had a "chilling effect" on political activity in 2008, according to the Electoral Commission
Electoral Commission (New Zealand)
The Electoral Commission of New Zealand is a governmental body responsible for administering certain aspects of the country's electoral system....
.
Some parties attempted to make this an election issue.
Economic conditions
On 5 August 2008, the TreasuryNew Zealand Treasury
The New Zealand Treasury is a public sector organisation and the Government’s lead advisor on economic and financial policy. Its role is to help the Government improve economic performance and manage scarce resources...
announced that the New Zealand economy had entered a recession
Recession
In economics, a recession is a business cycle contraction, a general slowdown in economic activity. During recessions, many macroeconomic indicators vary in a similar way...
.
Economic downturn has led to high-profile job losses, such as the closure of factories in Foxton
Foxton, New Zealand
Foxton is a town in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of New Zealand. The 2006 census population was 2715.It is located on the lower west coast of the North Island, in the Horowhenua district, 30 kilometres southwest of Palmerston North and 15 kilometres north of Levin. The town is located close to the...
,
in west Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
and in southern Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay is a region of New Zealand. Hawke's Bay is recognised on the world stage for its award-winning wines. The regional council sits in both the cities of Napier and Hastings.-Geography:...
.
At the same time, inflation hit an eighteen-year high,
with an upwards tug on the prices of basics such as food and petrol, the latter crossing the two-dollar-per-litre mark in late May.
At the Labour Party's campaign launch on 12 October 2008, Helen Clark became the latest world leader to guarantee bank deposits, unveiling a plan worth $150 billion whereby all retail deposits would be unconditionally covered. The plan would be voluntary to join; within two days, reports appeared stating that all of New Zealand's major trading banks had signed up. Also signed up to the plan was the National Party, with deputy leader and finance spokesperson Bill English saying that there was "still time to change the...scheme if banks find it hard to borrow overseas".
Taxation
On 6 October, two days before the National Party's scheduled release of details of the tax-cut plan it had over and above the governing coalition's three-stage series of tax cutTax cut
A tax cut is a reduction in taxes. The immediate effects of a tax cut are a decrease in the real income of the government and an increase in the real income of those whose tax rate has been lowered. Due to the perceived benefit in growing real incomes among tax payers politicians have sought to...
s revealed in the 2008 Budget,
the Government disclosed its full fiscal situation; it showed that it expected to take $3.1 billion less tax in 2009, forcing the government to borrow $5.9 billion in 2009, rising to $7.3 billion by 2013. This implied higher costs for KiwiSaver, Working For Families and the 20 hours subsidised early-childhood plan; and higher numbers of people forced onto benefits by any prospective economic downturn. Over the next fiscal year, Dr Cullen expected GDP to rise by just 0.1%, with median house prices dropping by an estimated 10–15%.
John Key responded to the news by describing the numbers as "a bit worse than we had anticipated", and stated "I'm confident we can deliver a programme of tax cuts."
The same day Helen Clark reiterated her opinion on tax cuts beyond the government's proposal, saying "now is not the time to go out and recklessly borrow to offer tax cuts",
an opinion she had first voiced in early August
when the National Party used its annual conference to promise to speed up the implementation of the tax cuts, and to borrow several billion dollars to fund infrastructure projects such as a $1.5 billion broadband plan and a new prison in its first term.
On 9 October, National released its policy, promising people on the average wage or higher around $47 a week extra in the hand, funded through a combination of cutting contributions to KiwiSaver, eliminating a tax credit for science and development, and changing Working For Families entitlements.
Trust
On calling the 2008 election, Prime Minister Helen ClarkHelen Clark
Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008...
declared that it would be "about trust", labelling the National Party's recent commitments to preserve Labour Party programmes such as KiwiSaver
KiwiSaver
The KiwiSaver scheme is a New Zealand voluntary long-term savings scheme which came into operation from Monday, 2 July 2007. The main purpose of the KiwiSaver fund is for retirement savings....
and Kiwibank
Kiwibank
Kiwibank Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the state-owned enterprise New Zealand Post Limited. Through Kiwibank, New Zealand Post provides banking services through its PostShops and joint venture Books & More and Papermate outlets throughout New Zealand.The bank was initiated as part of Jim...
as "insincere".
Members of the Labour Party accused John Key of lying about his shareholding in Tranz Rail
Tranz Rail
Tranz Rail, formally Tranz Rail Holdings Ltd , was the main rail operator in New Zealand from 1991 until it was purchased by Toll Holdings in 2003.- Formation :...
, by not disclosing nearly half of the shares he and his family trusts owned in the company, even though this presented a clear conflict of interest with Key's role as his party's spokesperson on transport, at a time when he asked several questions in the House about the government's plans regarding rail infrastructure.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters
Winston Peters
Winston Raymond Peters is a New Zealand politician and leader of New Zealand First, a political party he founded in 1993. Peters has had a turbulent political career since entering Parliament in 1978. He served as Minister of Maori Affairs in the Bolger National Party Government before being...
faced an attack on his party's credibility, first over allegations that his party did not declare a $100,000 donation from millionaire ex-patriate property developer Owen Glenn
Owen Glenn
Owen G Glenn ONZM is an expatriate New Zealand businessman and philanthropist, who supports hundreds of humanitarian causes worldwide through his family charity.Owen Glenn did his secondary schooling at Mount Roskill Grammar School, in Auckland....
to cover Winston Peters' legal costs in a challenge to the result in the seat of Tauranga
Tauranga (New Zealand electorate)
Tauranga is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Tauranga is Simon Bridges of the National Party, who won the seat in the 2008 New Zealand general election, after the previous MP, Bob Clarkson of...
. This was referred to a House of Representatives Privileges Committee. On 22 September, the committee determined that Peters had "provided misleading information" and recommended he be censure
Censure
A censure is an expression of strong disapproval or harsh criticism. Among the forms that it can take are a stern rebuke by a legislature, a spiritual penalty imposed by a church, and a negative judgment pronounced on a theological proposition.-Politics:...
d; this was done by the House of Representatives in a 62–56 vote two days later. The second allegation revolved around the party's failure to declare the use of a secret trust to funnel large donations into New Zealand First's bank account, even though no donations over $10,000 to New Zealand First has been declared, as the law requires. This case was referred to the Serious Fraud Office for further investigation; on 11 October, New Zealand First was cleared of charges that Peters called a "waste of time" and on 24 October, the New Zealand First party was cleared of wrongdoing by the Electoral Commission, which was investigating donations that the party failed to declare.
Boundary changes
The Representation Commission altered many of the boundaries of New Zealand's parliamentary electoratesNew Zealand electorates
An electorate is a voting district for elections to the Parliament of New Zealand. In informal discussion, electorates are often called seats. The most formal description, electoral district, is rarely seen outside of electoral legislation. Before 1996, all Members of Parliament were directly...
following the 2006 Census
New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings
The New Zealand government department Statistics New Zealand conducts a census of population and dwellings every five years. The census scheduled for 2011 was cancelled due to circumstances surrounding the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, however, and legislation introduced to hold the next...
; the large growth in population between censuses lead to significant boundary changes, particularly in Auckland, the area around Christchurch and the central North Island. In May 2007, the Representation Commission announced the boundary changes
to take effect for the next general election, with the boundaries finalised in September 2007.
The Commission announced the formation of a new electorate in Greater Auckland, bringing the number of geographical constituencies to 70. The new seat, originally dubbed "Howick
Howick, New Zealand
Howick is an eastern suburb of Auckland, New Zealand, forming part of what is sometimes called East Auckland. Due to the relatively numerous remaining heritage buildings and other historical remnants from its early European settlement past, it has been called "perhaps Auckland's most historically...
" (after the Auckland suburb), would have included parts of the existing Pakuranga, Manukau East and Clevedon electorates. After Pakuranga
Pakuranga (New Zealand electorate)
rightPakuranga is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It is currently held by Maurice Williamson MP, a member of the National Party.-Population centres:Pakuranga is one of sixty-three general electorates used in New Zealand general elections...
electors made strong objections to the proposed changes (which would have seen the inclusion of the population centres Panmure
Panmure, New Zealand
Panmure is a south-eastern suburb of Auckland City, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located 11 kilometres southeast of the city centre, close to the western banks of the Tamaki River and the northern shore of the Panmure Basin...
, Point England
Point England, New Zealand
- to the north-east - to the east - to the south-east - to the south - to the north-west Glen Innes Wai O Taiki Bay Half Moon Bay Farm Cove Tamaki...
and Glen Innes
Glen Innes, New Zealand
Glen Innes is a suburb located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is located nine kilometres to the east of the city centre, close to the waters of the Tamaki River.The main streets in Glen Innes are Line Road and Apirana Avenue, which meet at a roundabout...
into the electorate) the Commission largely reverted proposed changes to the boundaries of the Pakuranga electorate
Pakuranga (New Zealand electorate)
rightPakuranga is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It is currently held by Maurice Williamson MP, a member of the National Party.-Population centres:Pakuranga is one of sixty-three general electorates used in New Zealand general elections...
. The Commission opted to alleviate population pressures by moving the Auckland City suburb of Otahuhu
Otahuhu
Otahuhu is a suburb of Auckland. It is located to the southeast of the city centre, on a narrow isthmus between an arm of the Manukau Harbour to the west and the Tamaki River estuary to the east...
into Manukau East
Manukau East
Manukau East is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It is currently held by Ross Robertson MP.-Suburbs:In 2007, large changes were made to the Manukau East electorate. Its northern boundary extended past the Tāmaki River to almost as far as Sylvia Park Rd to incorporate Middlemore, Otahuhu and...
. The revised new seat received the name "Botany"
Botany (New Zealand electorate)
Botany is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. It was contested for the first time at the 2008 general election, and won by Pansy Wong for the National Party...
to reflect its focus on the growing population-centres of Botany Downs
Botany Downs, New Zealand
Botany Downs is a suburb of Auckland City, New Zealand.This residential area was previously part of the East Tamaki area. According to the 2006 census, Botany Downs has a population of 4830, having grown 2.7% since 2001. It has one of the country's biggest shopping malls - Botany Town Centre -...
–Dannemora
Dannemora, New Zealand
Dannemora is a new residential suburb in Auckland, New Zealand. It is located in the east of the city, close to Pakuranga and Botany Downs, and in the new Howick ward, one of the thirteen administrative areas of Auckland city....
. On paper, Botany counts as a safe National seat.
Even though the number of South Island electorates remains fixed, the decline in the population of electorates south of Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
has resulted in the boundaries of electorates from Invercargill
Invercargill (New Zealand electorate)
Invercargill is an electorate of the Parliament of New Zealand that has existed since 1866. The current representative is Eric Roy.-Population centres:The electorate covers Invercargill city and the surrounding rural area, including Stewart Island / Rakiura...
north to Rakaia
Rakaia (New Zealand electorate)
Rakaia was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate in the Canterbury region from 1972 to 1978 and 1993 to 2008.The seat was held by Brian Connell MP from 2002 to 2008.-Population Centres:The electorate included the following population centres:* Ashburton...
shifting northwards. The seats of Aoraki, Otago
Otago (New Zealand electorate)
Otago was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate,which was replaced by the Waitaki electorate and Clutha-Southland electorates for the 2008 election....
, Rakaia
Rakaia (New Zealand electorate)
Rakaia was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate in the Canterbury region from 1972 to 1978 and 1993 to 2008.The seat was held by Brian Connell MP from 2002 to 2008.-Population Centres:The electorate included the following population centres:* Ashburton...
and Banks Peninsula
Banks Peninsula (New Zealand electorate)
Banks Peninsula was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate from 1996 to 2008.It was held by Ruth Dyson MP from 1999 to 2008.-Population centres:The electorate included the following population centres:* Opawa* Cashmere* Halswell* Lyttelton* Akaroa...
all gravitated towards Christchurch. In the process:
- Aoraki received the new name of Rangitata
- OtagoOtago (New Zealand electorate)Otago was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate,which was replaced by the Waitaki electorate and Clutha-Southland electorates for the 2008 election....
received the new name of WaitakiWaitaki (New Zealand electorate)Waitaki is an electorate for the New Zealand House of Representatives that crosses the boundary of North Otago and South Canterbury towns on the East Coast of the South Island. The electorate was first established for the that determined the 5th New Zealand Parliament... - RakaiaRakaia (New Zealand electorate)Rakaia was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate in the Canterbury region from 1972 to 1978 and 1993 to 2008.The seat was held by Brian Connell MP from 2002 to 2008.-Population Centres:The electorate included the following population centres:* Ashburton...
received the new name of SelwynSelwyn (New Zealand electorate)Selwyn is the name of three seats in the New Zealand House of Representatives, based around towns on the outskirts of Christchurch city. In an historical sense, the name refers to an electorate that existed between 1866 and 1919... - Banks PeninsulaBanks Peninsula (New Zealand electorate)Banks Peninsula was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate from 1996 to 2008.It was held by Ruth Dyson MP from 1999 to 2008.-Population centres:The electorate included the following population centres:* Opawa* Cashmere* Halswell* Lyttelton* Akaroa...
received the new name of Port HillsPort Hills (New Zealand electorate)Port Hills is a new electorate of New Zealand created for the 2008 general election. It largely replaces the Banks Peninsula electorate, held by Ruth Dyson...
Other seats in the lower South Island increased dramatically in size.
Situation after 2005
In 2005 four MPs won seats with majorities of under a thousand: Labour's Darren HughesDarren Hughes
Darren Colyn Hughes was a New Zealand Member of Parliament between 2002 and 2011, first elected at the age of 24. He represented the Labour Party and was a Minister outside Cabinet in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand....
beat National candidate Nathan Guy
Nathan Guy
Nathan Guy is a New Zealand politician, and currently serves as a member of Parliament representing the National Party.-Background:...
in Ōtaki
Otaki (New Zealand electorate)
Ōtaki is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, spanning part of the coast of the lower North Island. The bulk of its population comes from the Horowhenua district, but it also takes in part of the northern Kapiti Coast, including the towns of Otaki and Waikanae, and part of Paraparaumu. The...
by 382 votes (1.00%), and in Hamilton West
Hamilton West (New Zealand electorate)
Hamilton West is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It has been held by Tim Macindoe MP of the National Party since the 2008 general election.-Population centres:...
, Martin Gallagher
Martin Gallagher (politician)
Martin Owen Gallagher JP is a New Zealand politician and was Labour member of Parliament representing the Hamilton West electorate until November 2008. Currently, he is councillor on the Hamilton City Council.-Early life:...
of the Labour Party won an 825 vote majority (2.46%) over National's Tim Macindoe. Both these seats saw a rematch in 2008, with the National Party candidates emerging victorious in each.
The swing to National in the central North Island saw two Bay of Plenty seats produce close results: in Rotorua
Rotorua (New Zealand electorate)
Rotorua is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Rotorua is Todd McClay of the National Party, who won the seat in the 2008 general election from incumbent Labour MP Steve Chadwick.- Location :The...
, the sitting Labour MP Steve Chadwick
Stephanie Chadwick
Stephanie "Steve" Anne Chadwick is a New Zealand Labour Party politician. She held the positions of Minister of Conservation, Women's Affairs, and Associate Health in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand....
prevailed by just 662 votes (2.17%) over National's Gil Stehbens, and in Tauranga
Tauranga (New Zealand electorate)
Tauranga is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Tauranga is Simon Bridges of the National Party, who won the seat in the 2008 New Zealand general election, after the previous MP, Bob Clarkson of...
, property developer Bob Clarkson
Bob Clarkson
Bob Clarkson, CNZM was National Party MP for Tauranga in the 48th Parliament of New Zealand.-Biography:In 1958 Clarkson qualified as a fitter and turner in Gisborne. He then moved to the Waikato and worked on the Kaimai Tunnel...
defeated New Zealand First's leader and seven-term MP for Tauranga Winston Peters by 730 votes (2.02%). Rotorua fell to National's Todd McClay
Todd McClay
Todd Michael McClay is a New Zealand politician and former ambassador. He was formerly an ambassador for the Cook Islands and Niue to the European Union, and is presently the representative for Rotorua in the 49th New Zealand Parliament.- Early life :Todd McClay was born in Rotorua on 22 November...
in 2008, while Simon Bridges
Simon Bridges
Simon Bridges is a New Zealand politician and former District and High Court Crown prosecutor. Bridges is currently the representative for the electorate of Tauranga in the 49th New Zealand Parliament, as a member of the National Party.Bridges currently lives in Mount Maunganui with his wife,...
held Tauranga for National by a wide margin, preventing Peters from returning to Parliament.
Besides the three Labour-held narrow-margin seats mentioned above (Otaki, Hamilton West and Rotorua), National had prospects of gaining Taupō
Taupo (New Zealand electorate)
rightTaupō is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Taupō is Louise Upston of the National Party. She has held this position since 2008.The current Taupō seat was created ahead of the introduction...
, where boundary changes have added the National-leaning town of Cambridge
Cambridge, New Zealand
Cambridge is a town in the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand. Situated 24 kilometres southeast of Hamilton, on the banks of the Waikato River, Cambridge is known as "The Town of Trees & Champions".In the 1840s Cambridge had a Maori population but in the 1850's missionaries and...
and with it nearly 20,000 different voters – putting sitting MP Mark Burton
Mark Burton
Richard Mark Burton is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party. He served as Minister of Defence; Minister of Justice; Minister of Local Government; Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations; Deputy Leader of the House; and the Minister Responsible for the Law...
's 2005 majority of just 1,285 votes (4.43%) at risk. Similarly, the seat of West Coast-Tasman gave Labour's Damien O'Connor
Damien O'Connor
Damien Peter O'Connor is a New Zealand politician from the West Coast of the South Island. He is a member of the Labour Party and a Member of Parliament.-Early years:...
a majority of 2,154 (6.77%). National reversed all of these majorities in 2008 and captured all three seats.
Part of National's core vote comes from provincial centres. In 1990, when Labour lost power, it lost every seat between the southern fringe of the Auckland urban area and Porirua except Palmerston North
Palmerston North (New Zealand electorate)
Palmerston North is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Palmerston North is Iain Lees-Galloway of the Labour Party...
; in 2005, National again won several provincial seats off Labour:
- East CoastEast Coast (New Zealand electorate)East Coast is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The electorate first existed from 1871 to 1893. From 1996 to 2002, the electorate was called Mahia...
- TukitukiTukituki (New Zealand electorate)rightTukituki is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Tukituki is Craig Foss of the National Party...
- NapierNapier (New Zealand electorate)thumb|right|Boundaries of Napier Electorate for 2008 and 2011 electionsNapier is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Napier is Chris Tremain, of the National Party. He has held this position since...
- WhanganuiWhanganui (New Zealand electorate)Whanganui is a New Zealand parliamentary electorate. It was first established in 1855 for the 2nd Parliament and has existed continuously since then.It is currently held by Chester Borrows MP.-Population centres:...
- Hamilton EastHamilton East (New Zealand electorate)Hamilton East is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It is currently held by David Bennett MP of the National Party.-Population centres:...
- OtagoOtago (New Zealand electorate)Otago was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate,which was replaced by the Waitaki electorate and Clutha-Southland electorates for the 2008 election....
- Aoraki
National also won Tauranga off New Zealand First leader Winston Peters in 2005 and the lion's share of the ACT and United parties' core votes (and in the process gained Northcote
Northcote (New Zealand electorate)
Northcote is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Northcote is Jonathan Coleman of the National Party. He has held this position since 2005....
off Labour).
The newly-drawn seat of Botany
Botany (New Zealand electorate)
Botany is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. It was contested for the first time at the 2008 general election, and won by Pansy Wong for the National Party...
on Auckland's eastern fringe presented an electoral problem for the Labour Party – on 4 July 2008 a crowd of mostly Asian marchers numbered in the thousands protested against Labour's record on crime and sentencing and a perceived upswing in anti-Asian crime. Because of the large Asian population in the new seat, such trends may have given National candidate and victor Pansy Wong
Pansy Wong
Pansy Yu Fong Wong is a former New Zealand politician. She was New Zealand's first Asian MP, serving as a member of parliament for the National Party from 1996 to 2011...
a possible advantage. Boundary changes have also shaken up the electoral landscape of the South Island. Three new seats – Selwyn
Selwyn (New Zealand electorate)
Selwyn is the name of three seats in the New Zealand House of Representatives, based around towns on the outskirts of Christchurch city. In an historical sense, the name refers to an electorate that existed between 1866 and 1919...
, Waitaki
Waitaki (New Zealand electorate)
Waitaki is an electorate for the New Zealand House of Representatives that crosses the boundary of North Otago and South Canterbury towns on the East Coast of the South Island. The electorate was first established for the that determined the 5th New Zealand Parliament...
and Rangitata, drawn respectively out of Aoraki, Otago and Rakaia, three National-held seats in 2005, damaged Labour's chances outside of Christchurch and Dunedin.
On Labour's other flank, the three Māori seats that it held last time against a strong Māori Party
Maori Party
The Māori Party, a political party in New Zealand, was formed on 7 July 2004. The Party is guided by eight constitutional "kaupapa", or Party objectives. Tariana Turia formed the Māori Party after resigning from the Labour Party where she had been a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour-led...
challenge were in danger of falling as they did in 1996 when New Zealand First broke Labour's sixty-year stranglehold. Nanaia Mahuta
Nanaia Mahuta
Nanaia Cybelle Mahuta BA, MA in social anthropology, is a New Zealand politician and was a cabinet minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand. She was Minister of Customs, Minister of Local Government, Minister of Youth Development, Associate Minister for the Environment and Associate...
again faced Angeline Greensill
Angeline Greensill
Angeline Ngahina Greensill is a prominent Māori political rights campaigner, academic and leader.-Early life:Greensill is of Tainui, Ngati Porou, and Ngati Paniora descent, born in the late 1940s in Kirikiriroa and raised at Te Kopua , Whaingaroa on the turangawaewae of Tainui o Tainui ki...
for the new Hauraki-Waikato
Hauraki-Waikato
Hauraki-Waikato is a new New Zealand Parliamentary Māori electorate for the New Zealand general election, 2008.It largely replaces the Tainui electorate...
seat, and narrowly held it. Māori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia
Parekura Horomia
Parekura Tureia Horomia is a New Zealand Labour Party past Minister of Māori Affairs-Early life:Horomia was born in Tolaga Bay of Ngati Porou, Te Aitanga Hauiti, Ngati Kahungunu and Ngai Tahu descent....
also held on by a small margin against veteran broadcaster Derek Fox
Derek Fox (New Zealand)
Derek Tinia Fox is a New Zealand broadcaster, commentator, publisher, journalist and Māori Party candidate in several elections. He was the Mayor of Wairoa from 1995 to 2001....
in Ikaroa-Rāwhiti
Ikaroa-Rawhiti
thumb|rightIkaroa-Rāwhiti is a New Zealand Parliamentary Māori electorate.It is currently held by Parekura Horomia MP.-Population Centres:The electorate includes the following population centres:* Gisborne* Napier* Hastings* Masterton* Upper Hutt...
. Incumbent Mahara Okeroa
Mahara Okeroa
The New Zealand politician Mahara Okeroa, a member of the Labour Party, represented the voters of the Te Tai Tonga Māori electorate as their Member of Parliament from 1999 to 2008.- Career :...
, however, was defeated by Rahui Katene
Rahui Katene
Rahui Katene is a New Zealand politician. She was elected to the 49th New Zealand Parliament at the 2008 general election representing the Māori Party in the seat of Te Tai Tonga, but lost in the 2011 general election to Labour's Rino Tirikatene.- Ancestry :...
in Te Tai Tonga
Te Tai Tonga
Te Tai Tonga is a New Zealand Parliamentary Māori electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Te Tai Tonga is Rino Tirikatene of the Labour Party, who in 2011 defeated Rahui Katene of the Māori Party, who won the seat in 2008.Te Tai...
, giving the Māori Party an additional seat.
The seats of Tauranga
Tauranga (New Zealand electorate)
Tauranga is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Tauranga is Simon Bridges of the National Party, who won the seat in the 2008 New Zealand general election, after the previous MP, Bob Clarkson of...
and Epsom
Epsom (New Zealand electorate)
Epsom is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Epsom is Rodney Hide MP of the ACT Party. He has held this position since 2005.-Population centres:...
provided particular resonances: Winston Peters failed to retake the marginal
Marginal seat
A marginal seat, or swing seat, is a constituency held with a particularly small majority in a legislative election, generally conducted under a single-winner voting system. In Canada they may be known as target ridings. The opposite is a safe seat....
Tauranga (and Ron Mark
Ron Mark
Major Ron Stanley Mark is a New Zealand politician, and is the current mayor of Carterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand.-Early years:...
failed to win the Rimutaka
Rimutaka (New Zealand electorate)
Rimutaka is an electorate returning one member to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current representative is Chris Hipkins. He is a member of the Labour Party, and has represented the seat since 2008....
seat), meaning New Zealand First's chances of returning to the House depended on winning 5% of the party vote, which they did not accomplish. Similarly, the electoral fortunes of the ACT Party depended very largely on Rodney Hide
Rodney Hide
Rodney Hide is a New Zealand politician who was leader of the political party ACT New Zealand from 2004 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he represented the electorate of Epsom as its Member of Parliament. Rodney Hide was Minister of Local Government, Associate Minister of Commerce and Minister of...
retaining Epsom, which he did.
Amongst other parties very aware of the 5% barrier, United Future appeared more secure in the light of Peter Dunne
Peter Dunne
Peter Dunne is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament who leads the United Future political party. He has served as a Cabinet minister in governments dominated by the centre-left Labour Party as well as by the centre-right National Party...
's grip on Ōhariu
Ohariu
Ōhariu is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. It was contested for the first time at the 2008 election. It is the successor to Ohariu-Belmont, first contested at the first Mixed Member Proportional election in 1996...
, which he maintained, though by a narrower margin than previously; and the Progressive Party
New Zealand Progressive Party
Jim Anderton's Progressive Party , is a New Zealand political party generally somewhat to the left of its ally, the Labour Party....
retained a very strong hold via Jim Anderton
Jim Anderton
James Patrick Anderton, usually known as Jim Anderton , is the leader of the Progressive Party, a New Zealand political party. He has served in Parliament since 1984. He served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1999 to 2002 and is currently also the sitting Father of the House, the longest...
's "safe seat
Safe seat
A safe seat is a seat in a legislative body which is regarded as fully secured, either by a certain political party, the incumbent representative personally or a combination of both...
" of Wigram
Wigram (New Zealand electorate)
Wigram is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Wigram is Megan Woods. She takes over this position from the retiring Jim Anderton, who held this position from 1996 until 2011.-Population...
.
The Greens never appeared in danger of slipping below the 5% threshold, although lacking an obvious winnable electorate seat (co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons
Jeanette Fitzsimons
Jeanette Mary Fitzsimons, CNZM is a New Zealand politician and environmentalist. She was the co-leader of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand from 1995 to 2009, and was a Member of Parliament from 1996 to 2010.-Career:...
had won Coromandel
Coromandel (New Zealand electorate)
Coromandel is a New Zealand electoral division returning one member to the New Zealand House of Representatives. Most recently it was represented by Sandra Goudie, who was MP from until retiring at the .-Population centres:...
in 1999
New Zealand general election, 1999
The 1999 New Zealand general election was held on 27 November 1999 to determine the composition of the 46th New Zealand Parliament. The governing National Party, led by Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, was defeated, being replaced by a coalition of Helen Clark's Labour Party and the smaller Alliance...
, but the electorate returned to National in 2002
New Zealand general election, 2002
The 2002 New Zealand general election was held on 27 July 2002 to determine the composition of the 47th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the reelection of Helen Clark's Labour Party government, as well as the worst-ever performance by the opposition National Party.Arguably the most controversial...
).
Seats that changed hands
National won nine electorate seats from Labour:- Auckland Central: Nikki KayeNikki KayeNicola Laura Kaye is the member of the New Zealand Parliament for the Auckland Central electorate, having defeated incumbent Labour MP Judith Tizard in the 2008 election.-Early life:...
defeated sitting Labour MP Judith TizardJudith TizardJudith Tizard is a former New Zealand politician. She was a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Judith Ngaire Tizard was born in Auckland in 1956...
, the first time National has won this seat. Some commentators had tipped Auckland Central as a "battleground seat" prior to election night.
- Hamilton WestHamilton West (New Zealand electorate)Hamilton West is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It has been held by Tim Macindoe MP of the National Party since the 2008 general election.-Population centres:...
: won by Tim MacindoeTim MacindoeTim Macindoe is a New Zealand politician who was elected as a Member of Parliament in 2008 for the Hamilton West electorate. Macindoe represents the National Party.-Early life:...
who ousted sitting Labour MP Martin Gallagher, a reversal of the 2005 election when Gallagher narrowly defeated Macindoe.
- MaungakiekieMaungakiekie (New Zealand electorate)Maungakiekie is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Maungakiekie is Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga of the National Party...
: Sam Lotu-IigaSam Lotu-IigaPeseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is the member of the New Zealand Parliament for the Maungakiekie electorate having been elected in the 2008 election. Lotu-Iiga is the National Party's only Pacific Island MP. Lotu-Iiga holds the Samoan high chiefly title of Peseta.-Early life:Lotu-Iiga was born in Apia,...
achieved a majority of 1,876 over Carol BeaumontCarol BeaumontCarol Ann Beaumont is a politician from New Zealand. She was elected to represent the Labour Party on the party list at the 2008 general election. Beaumont stood in the Maungakiekie electorate, finishing a close second.-Professional life:...
after incumbent Mark GoscheMark GoscheMark James Gosche is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party. He was born in Auckland to Samoan parents, and has been active in New Zealand's Pacific Islander community.-Member of Parliament:...
retired. Beaumont entered Parliament as a Labour list member.
- New PlymouthNew Plymouth (New Zealand electorate)New Plymouth is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate. It was first created for the 1st New Zealand Parliament in 1853 and has existed since, with one 22-year interruption...
: the most marginal electorate, where Jonathan YoungJonathan Young (New Zealand)Jonathan Young is a National Party Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for New Plymouth. He was first elected in the 2008 general election, with the country's smallest election night majority.-Early years:...
won by 314 votes to oust Harry DuynhovenHarry DuynhovenHarry James Duynhoven is a New Zealand politician. He is the current mayor of the city of New Plymouth and surrounding districts. He assumed office in October 2010. He was a Member of Parliament for the Labour Party.-Early life:...
.
- OtakiOtaki (New Zealand electorate)Ōtaki is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, spanning part of the coast of the lower North Island. The bulk of its population comes from the Horowhenua district, but it also takes in part of the northern Kapiti Coast, including the towns of Otaki and Waikanae, and part of Paraparaumu. The...
: the most marginal 2005 seat fell to Nathan GuyNathan GuyNathan Guy is a New Zealand politician, and currently serves as a member of Parliament representing the National Party.-Background:...
, who defeated incumbent Minister Darren HughesDarren HughesDarren Colyn Hughes was a New Zealand Member of Parliament between 2002 and 2011, first elected at the age of 24. He represented the Labour Party and was a Minister outside Cabinet in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand....
by 1,422 votes. Hughes remained in Parliament through the Labour list.
- RotoruaRotorua (New Zealand electorate)Rotorua is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Rotorua is Todd McClay of the National Party, who won the seat in the 2008 general election from incumbent Labour MP Steve Chadwick.- Location :The...
: fell to Todd McClayTodd McClayTodd Michael McClay is a New Zealand politician and former ambassador. He was formerly an ambassador for the Cook Islands and Niue to the European Union, and is presently the representative for Rotorua in the 49th New Zealand Parliament.- Early life :Todd McClay was born in Rotorua on 22 November...
who defeated sitting Minister Steve Chadwick by 4,855 votes. Chadwick returned to Parliament through the party list.
- TaupoTaupo (New Zealand electorate)rightTaupō is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Taupō is Louise Upston of the National Party. She has held this position since 2008.The current Taupō seat was created ahead of the introduction...
: won by Louise UpstonLouise UpstonLouise Upston is a National Party Member of Parliament, representing Taupō sine November 2008.-Member of Parliament:Upston was elected to Parliament at the 2008 general election....
, who defeated Mark BurtonMark BurtonRichard Mark Burton is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party. He served as Minister of Defence; Minister of Justice; Minister of Local Government; Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations; Deputy Leader of the House; and the Minister Responsible for the Law...
by nearly 6,000 votes, to reverse a 1,198 majority in 2005New Zealand general election, 2005The 2005 New Zealand general election held on 17 September 2005 determined the composition of the 48th New Zealand Parliament. No party won a majority in the unicameral House of Representatives, but the Labour Party of Prime Minister Helen Clark secured two more seats than nearest rival, the...
.
- WaitakereWaitakere (New Zealand electorate)Waitakere is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Waitakere is Paula Bennett of the National Party. She has held this position since the 2008 election....
: Paula BennettPaula BennettPaula Lee Bennett is a New Zealand politician and member of parliament for the National Party. She is a Cabinet minister with the roles of Minister for Social Development and Employment, Minister for Disability Issues and Minister of Youth Affairs.-Early life:Bennett was born in 1969 to Bob...
defeated Lynne PillayLynne PillayBarbara Lynne Pillay, known as Lynne Pillay is a New Zealand politician, and member of the Labour Party.- Member of Parliament :...
by just over 600 votes, Pillay returned to Parliament as a List MP. This Waitakere seat differs from that previously held by National's Brian NeesonBrian NeesonBrian Kevin Neeson is a New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1990 to 2002, representing the National Party, and a member of the Waitemata District Health Board from 2004 - 2010.-Early life:...
.
- West Coast-Tasman: Chris AuchinvoleChris AuchinvoleChris Auchinvole JP is a New Zealand politician.-Early years:Auchinvole was born in Prestwick, Scotland, and attended the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in England. In New Zealand, he has been involved with the export industry, and operated a company based on the West Coast...
defeated Cabinet Minister Damien O'ConnorDamien O'ConnorDamien Peter O'Connor is a New Zealand politician from the West Coast of the South Island. He is a member of the Labour Party and a Member of Parliament.-Early years:...
.
The Maori Party
Maori Party
The Māori Party, a political party in New Zealand, was formed on 7 July 2004. The Party is guided by eight constitutional "kaupapa", or Party objectives. Tariana Turia formed the Māori Party after resigning from the Labour Party where she had been a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour-led...
also won a seat from Labour.
- Te Tai Tonga: Rahui KateneRahui KateneRahui Katene is a New Zealand politician. She was elected to the 49th New Zealand Parliament at the 2008 general election representing the Māori Party in the seat of Te Tai Tonga, but lost in the 2011 general election to Labour's Rino Tirikatene.- Ancestry :...
won the seat from Mahara OkeroaMahara OkeroaThe New Zealand politician Mahara Okeroa, a member of the Labour Party, represented the voters of the Te Tai Tonga Māori electorate as their Member of Parliament from 1999 to 2008.- Career :...
.
Re-named seats retained
- National's Pansy WongPansy WongPansy Yu Fong Wong is a former New Zealand politician. She was New Zealand's first Asian MP, serving as a member of parliament for the National Party from 1996 to 2011...
became the first Member for the new BotanyBotany (New Zealand electorate)Botany is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. It was contested for the first time at the 2008 general election, and won by Pansy Wong for the National Party...
seat. She was first Asian list MP in 1996New Zealand general election, 1996The 1996 New Zealand general election was held on 12 October 1996 to determine the composition of the 45th New Zealand Parliament. It was notable for being the first election to be held under the new Mixed Member Proportional electoral system, and produced a parliament considerably more diverse...
and is now the first Asian electorate MP.
- National's Paul HutchisonPaul HutchisonCharles Paul Telford Hutchison, known as Paul Hutchison is a New Zealand politician and former health professional. He is a member of the National Party.-Early years:...
, sitting MP for Port WaikatoPort Waikato (New Zealand electorate)Port Waikato was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It was held by Paul Hutchison MP from 1999 to 2008.-Population centres:The electorate included the following population centres:* Port Waikato-History:...
, returned to Parliament as Member for HunuaHunuaThe Hunua electorate existed three times for the New Zealand House of Representatives beginning in 1978, based at the south end of the Auckland urban area, and named for the Hunua Ranges. It covered different geographical areas over those periods...
which covers most of his former electorate and parts of the former ClevedonClevedon (New Zealand electorate)Clevedon was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate from 2002 to 2008.It was held by Judith Collins MP throughout its existence.-Population Centres:...
electorate.
- United Future's Peter DunnePeter DunnePeter Dunne is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament who leads the United Future political party. He has served as a Cabinet minister in governments dominated by the centre-left Labour Party as well as by the centre-right National Party...
, sitting MP for Ohariu-BelmontOhariu-Belmont (New Zealand electorate)Ohariu-Belmont was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, from 1996 to 2008.-Population centres:The electorate covered the northern suburbs of the city of Wellington, i.e. Ngaio, Tawa, Khandallah and Johnsonville, and also the adjacent suburb of Belmont in the Western Hutt Valley.-History:The...
, returned to Parliament as the new Member for Ōhariu.
- National's Judith CollinsJudith CollinsJudith Anne Collins is a New Zealand National Party politician and a lawyer. She is a front bench Cabinet minister with the portfolios of Police, Corrections and Veterans' Affairs in the Fifth National Government....
, sitting MP for ClevedonClevedon (New Zealand electorate)Clevedon was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate from 2002 to 2008.It was held by Judith Collins MP throughout its existence.-Population Centres:...
, returned to Parliament as the new Member for PapakuraPapakura (New Zealand electorate)rightPapakura has been the name of two seats in the New Zealand House of Representatives, both based around the south Auckland town of Papakura. Historically, the name refers to an electorate that existed between 1978 and 1996, which with the advent of Mixed Member Proportional voting and resulting...
.
- Labour's Ruth DysonRuth DysonRuth Suzanne Dyson is a New Zealand politician. She is a member of the Labour Party and has been a Member of Parliament since 1993.-Early years:...
, sitting MP for Banks PeninsulaBanks Peninsula (New Zealand electorate)Banks Peninsula was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate from 1996 to 2008.It was held by Ruth Dyson MP from 1999 to 2008.-Population centres:The electorate included the following population centres:* Opawa* Cashmere* Halswell* Lyttelton* Akaroa...
, returned to Parliament as the new Member for Port HillsPort Hills (New Zealand electorate)Port Hills is a new electorate of New Zealand created for the 2008 general election. It largely replaces the Banks Peninsula electorate, held by Ruth Dyson...
.
- National's Jo GoodhewJo GoodhewJo Goodhew is a New Zealand politician, and currently serves as a member of Parliament.-Early years:Goodhew grew up in Timaru, and attended Timaru Girls' High School. She holds a qualification in nursing from Otago Polytechnic...
, sitting MP for Aoraki, returned to Parliament as the new Member for Rangitata.
- National's Lindsay TischLindsay TischWilliam Lindsay Tisch, known as Lindsay Tisch, JP, is a New Zealand politician, and member of the National Party.-Member of Parliament:...
, sitting MP for PiakoPiakoPiako was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It was held by Lindsay Tisch MP from 2002 to 2008.-Population centres:The electorate included the population centres of Matamata, Cambridge, Morrinsville, Te Aroha, Waharoa, Waitoa, Waharoa, Huntly, Ngaruawahia, and Ohaupo.-History:Piako was a rural...
, returned to Parliament as the new Member for WaikatoWaikato (New Zealand electorate)rightWaikato is the name of a current electorate in the New Zealand Parliament from 2006; which earlier existed for two periods, 1871 to 1960 and 1969 to 1996 when MMP was introduced....
, covering most of Piako and rural areas north of Hamilton West.
- National's Jacqui DeanJacqui DeanJacqueline Isobel Dean is a New Zealand politician and the current Member of Parliament for the Waitaki electorate.-Early career:Dean has worked in a number of roles, including professional acting...
, sitting MP for OtagoOtago (New Zealand electorate)Otago was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate,which was replaced by the Waitaki electorate and Clutha-Southland electorates for the 2008 election....
, returned to Parliament as the new Member for WaitakiWaitaki (New Zealand electorate)Waitaki is an electorate for the New Zealand House of Representatives that crosses the boundary of North Otago and South Canterbury towns on the East Coast of the South Island. The electorate was first established for the that determined the 5th New Zealand Parliament...
which takes in most of Dean's former Otago electorate, and Queenstown and Arrowtown.
- Labour's Nanaia MahutaNanaia MahutaNanaia Cybelle Mahuta BA, MA in social anthropology, is a New Zealand politician and was a cabinet minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand. She was Minister of Customs, Minister of Local Government, Minister of Youth Development, Associate Minister for the Environment and Associate...
, sitting MP for the Maori electorate of TainuiTainui (New Zealand electorate)Tainui was a New Zealand Parliamentary Māori electorate. From the 2008 election the Hauraki-Waikato electorate replaced it.It was held by Nanaia Mahuta MP from 2002 to 2008.-History:...
, returned to Parliament as the new Member for Hauraki-Waikato.
New MPs in vacated seats
A number of seats elected new MPs following the retirement of their sitting Members:- Brendon BurnsBrendon Burns (politician)Brendon Burns is the Labour Party Member of Parliament for Christchurch Central electorate of the New Zealand Parliament.-Early life:Burns worked for 12 years in the Parliamentary Press Gallery. As editor of The Marlborough Express for seven years, he led various community initiatives and won the...
held for Labour Christchurch CentralChristchurch CentralChristchurch Central is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate in the South Island city of Christchurch. The electorate was established for the 1946 election and has always been won by the Labour Party. Since 2008, the incumbent is Brendon Burns...
by just over 800 votes, previously held by retiring MP Tim Barnett.
- Clare CurranClare CurranClare Elizabeth Curran is the 3rd and current member of the New Zealand Parliament for Dunedin South.-Early life and education:Curran grew up and was educated in Dunedin, she attended Moreau College where she achieved School Certificate...
held for Labour Dunedin SouthDunedin SouthDunedin South is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate. It first existed from 1881–1890, then from 1905–1946 and was re-established for the introduction of MMP in 1996. A Labour Party stronghold, it has been represented by Clare Curran since the .-Area:...
vacated by David Benson-PopeDavid Benson-PopeDavid Henry Benson-Pope is a New Zealand Labour Party politician who sat in the Parliament of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008. He formerly served as a cabinet minister....
who did not achieve party reselection.
- Su'a William SioSu'a William SioSu'a William Sio is a politician who became a Member of Parliament in the New Zealand House of Representatives on 1 April 2008 as a New Zealand Labour Party list MP. He currently represents the Māngere electorate seat in Parliament....
held for Labour the seat of MangereMangere (New Zealand electorate)Māngere is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Māngere is Su'a William Sio, elected for the Labour Party. He has held this seat since 2008....
, defeating Taito Phillip FieldTaito Phillip FieldTaito Phillip Hans Field is a Samoan New Zealand politician. He was a Member of Parliament for south Auckland electorates from 1993 to 2008. Field was a minister outside Cabinet in a Labour-led government from 2003 to 2005. Following charges of bribery and perverting the course of justice, he was...
. Field won the seat in the 2005 general electionNew Zealand general election, 2005The 2005 New Zealand general election held on 17 September 2005 determined the composition of the 48th New Zealand Parliament. No party won a majority in the unicameral House of Representatives, but the Labour Party of Prime Minister Helen Clark secured two more seats than nearest rival, the...
, but left the party after being indicted on fraud charges and contested this election as leader of New Zealand Pacific PartyNew Zealand Pacific PartyThe New Zealand Pacific Party was a Christian political party that existed in New Zealand from 2008 to 2010. The party was founded as a vehicle for former Labour MP Taito Phillip Field, who was subsequently convicted for bribery and corruption...
.
- Iain Lees-GallowayIain Lees-GallowayIain Lees-Galloway is a politician from New Zealand. He was elected to represent the Labour Party in the seat of Palmerston North at the 2008 general election...
held for Labour the seat of Palmerston NorthPalmerston North (New Zealand electorate)Palmerston North is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Palmerston North is Iain Lees-Galloway of the Labour Party...
following the retirement of sitting MP Steve MahareySteve MahareySteven "Steve" Maharey CNZM is a former Member of Parliament for Palmerston North in New Zealand, as a member of the Labour Party...
.
- Christopher Hipkins held for Labour the seat of RimutakaRimutaka (New Zealand electorate)Rimutaka is an electorate returning one member to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current representative is Chris Hipkins. He is a member of the Labour Party, and has represented the seat since 2008....
following the retirement of sitting MP Paul SwainPaul SwainPaul Desmond Swain, QSO is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Swain was born in Palmerston North on 20 December 1951. He attended St. Patrick's College in Wellington...
.
- Amy AdamsAmy Adams (politician)Amy Adams is a member of the New Zealand Parliament. She currently represents the Selwyn electorate and is a member of the National Party.-Private life:...
won for National the new seat of SelwynSelwyn (New Zealand electorate)Selwyn is the name of three seats in the New Zealand House of Representatives, based around towns on the outskirts of Christchurch city. In an historical sense, the name refers to an electorate that existed between 1866 and 1919...
, taking in part of the former RakaiaRakaia (New Zealand electorate)Rakaia was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate in the Canterbury region from 1972 to 1978 and 1993 to 2008.The seat was held by Brian Connell MP from 2002 to 2008.-Population Centres:The electorate included the following population centres:* Ashburton...
electorate. Sitting Rakaia MP Brian ConnellBrian ConnellThe New Zealand politician Brian David Connell represented the New Zealand National Party in the New Zealand Parliament from 2002 to 2008....
retired from politics.
- Simon BridgesSimon BridgesSimon Bridges is a New Zealand politician and former District and High Court Crown prosecutor. Bridges is currently the representative for the electorate of Tauranga in the 49th New Zealand Parliament, as a member of the National Party.Bridges currently lives in Mount Maunganui with his wife,...
held for National the seat of TaurangaTauranga (New Zealand electorate)Tauranga is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Tauranga is Simon Bridges of the National Party, who won the seat in the 2008 New Zealand general election, after the previous MP, Bob Clarkson of...
following the retirement of sitting MP Bob ClarksonBob ClarksonBob Clarkson, CNZM was National Party MP for Tauranga in the 48th Parliament of New Zealand.-Biography:In 1958 Clarkson qualified as a fitter and turner in Gisborne. He then moved to the Waikato and worked on the Kaimai Tunnel...
.
- Grant RobertsonGrant RobertsonGrant Robertson is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament. He was elected to represent the Labour Party in the seat of Wellington Central at the 2008 general election. Robertson replaced Marian Hobbs, who had retired....
held for Labour the seat of Wellington CentralWellington CentralrightWellington Central is a suburb of New Zealand's capital, Wellington, consisting of the flat, mostly reclaimed land, west of Lambton Harbour and the part of The Terrace immediately above it. It is bounded on the north by the suburb Pipitea and extends as far south as Civic Square...
following the retirement of sitting MP Marian HobbsMarian HobbsMarian Leslie Hobbs , a New Zealand politician, was a Labour Member of Parliament from 1996 to 2008. She was initially a list MP and then represented the Wellington Central electorate...
.
Opinion polling
Don Brash
Donald "Don" Thomas Brash , a New Zealand politician, was Leader of the Opposition, parliamentary leader of the National Party from 28 October 2003 to 27 November 2006 and the leader of the ACT Party for 28th April 2011 - 26 November 2011...
.
Things changed in early 2007, with new National leader John Key
John Key
John Phillip Key is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, in office since 2008. He has led the New Zealand National Party since 2006....
improving on Brash's preferred Prime Minister rating by ten points, and overtaking Clark as preferred Prime Minister in May; at the same time National jumped out to a sizeable lead over Labour ranging from between eight and eighteen points, spending most of 2007 and 2008 with support from around fifty percent of the electorate. Labour's popularity slumped, hitting its lowest point in the winter of 2008, before beginning a slow climb into the high thirties in August and September.
Leading up to the election, polls indicated a range of possible outcomes on election day; some suggested Labour could form a coalition government, while others predicted National in control. Of the "minor" parties, only the Green Party consistently polled over the five-percent threshold, and United Future and the Progressive Party frequently failed to register a mention. Both ACT's and the Māori Party
Maori Party
The Māori Party, a political party in New Zealand, was formed on 7 July 2004. The Party is guided by eight constitutional "kaupapa", or Party objectives. Tariana Turia formed the Māori Party after resigning from the Labour Party where she had been a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour-led...
's popularity since 2005 remained steady at around two percent, while New Zealand First failed to poll over the threshold after December 2006. The polls gave varied results for preferred Prime Minister, with some giving Clark a slight lead, and others giving Key a sturdy margin.
Coalition preferences during the campaign
The coalition preferences of various parties played a role during the campaign, due to the likelihood that no party would get an absolute majority of seats in the House. ACT emerged as the first "minor" party to announce that it would support a prospective National-led government.United Future also announced that it would side with National in late October, after supporting the Labour government for six years.
The Progressive Party, led by Jim Anderton
Jim Anderton
James Patrick Anderton, usually known as Jim Anderton , is the leader of the Progressive Party, a New Zealand political party. He has served in Parliament since 1984. He served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1999 to 2002 and is currently also the sitting Father of the House, the longest...
, had served as a steady coalition partner to Labour and the electorate probably expected it to remain so. The Green Party, which abstained from opposing the Labour-led government in supply and confidence votes through the life of the 48th Parliament
48th New Zealand Parliament
The 48th New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. Its composition was determined at a general election held on 17 September 2005. The new parliament met for the first time on 7 November 2005...
(2005 to 2008), said on 20 October that the only party of the two main parties it could form a coalition with was Labour. In the light of New Zealand First's run-in with the Serious Fraud Office, John Key ruled out that party as a government support partner on 31 August 2008, saying "the sheer weight of allegations and the actions of Mr Peters in the last few months means that I have lost that confidence in him".
At that time, Peters' future seemed under a cloud; after his party being cleared of charges of serious fraud, National restated its position, saying that the result of the case has not altered it.
Based on polls commissioned by the Māori news show Marae, the Māori Party
Maori Party
The Māori Party, a political party in New Zealand, was formed on 7 July 2004. The Party is guided by eight constitutional "kaupapa", or Party objectives. Tariana Turia formed the Māori Party after resigning from the Labour Party where she had been a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour-led...
appeared likely to win most of the Māori seats and stood a chance of holding the balance of power. The party's MP for Te Tai Tokerau, Hone Harawira
Hone Harawira
Hone Pani Tamati Waka Nene Harawira is a New Zealand Māori activist and parliamentarian. He was elected to the Parliament of New Zealand for the Māori electorate of Te Tai Tokerau in the 2005 general election as the Māori Party candidate. His resignation caused the Te Tai Tokerau by-election, held...
, stated at the end of September that the party could work with both Labour and National. On 28 September, National announced a commitment to abolish the Māori seats in time for the 2014 election.
The Māori Party has benefited greatly from the Māori seats, and its co-leader Tariana Turia
Tariana Turia
Tariana Turia is a New Zealand politician. She gained considerable prominence during the foreshore and seabed controversy, and eventually broke with her party as a result...
was unimpressed: "They think again that they can deny us the right to participate. If they want a relationship with the Maori Party then very clearly they're starting off on the wrong foot". Marae polls released on 12 October showed 62 percent of voters polled in the two northernmost Māori electorates were resistant to the idea of a National–Māori government; co-leader Pita Sharples responded to the poll results by saying his party would be "stupid" to ignore the poll figures.
Candidates
See:- Candidates in the New Zealand general election, 2008 by electorate
- Party lists in the New Zealand general election, 2008
See also
- Elections in New Zealand
- Electoral system of New ZealandElectoral system of New ZealandIn 1994 New Zealand officially adopted mixed member proportional representation as its electoral system for the House of Representatives after many years of first-past-the-post voting. The first MMP election was held in 1996....
- 2008 in New Zealand2008 in New Zealand-Regal and Vice Regal:*Head of State - Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand*Governor-General - The Hon. Anand Satyanand, PCNZM, QSO-Government:The 48th New Zealand Parliament continued until the general election in November...
Further reading
- Jack Vowles, The 2008 General Election in New Zealand, to appear in Electoral Studies.
External links
- Official site for enrolments and for the Chief Electoral Office