Labour unveils list for November election

Labour has unveiled its list for the November election with 30 newcomers.

The list confirms who can also get into Parliament based on their ranking and the party's share of the party vote.

Based on the latest polling from the RNZ-Reid Research survey, Labour would have a total 44 seats - with candidates who win electorates taking priority over those elected on the list.

Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo - the Ethnic, Iwi and Communities Relationships Manager for police - has been almost guaranteed a seat at 13th, although he will be running as a list-only candidate.

"His current governance roles include FIFA Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Committee, Sport NZ, and Gandhi Nivas Family Harm Services. He is former chair of the Wellington Interfaith Council," a statement from the party said.

Some current MPs face notable rank changes, with Cushla Tangaere-Manuel - the only Labour MP with a Māori seat electorate, in Ikaroa Rāwhiti - rocketing up 11 places to 9th.

Vanushi Walters - who was ejected from Parliament at the last election after being ranked 30th and losing her Upper Harbour seat, but who returned on the list after David Parker's resignation - has continued her rise, moving from 12th to 8th.

Leader Chris Hipkins moved her up to 12th in his last reshuffle, and handed her meaty portfolios including Foreign Affairs, shadow Attorney-General, and the spy agencies.

Rachel Brooking has shot up eight places to 11th, but Camilla Belich - who is also a lawyer and has achieved some policy wins - has lost out, dropping four places to 23rd and is unlikely to win Epsom against incumbent David Seymour.

Deborah Russell is also in danger - dropping 11 places to 27th, she last contested the New Lynn electorate and lost it to National's Paulo Garcia in 2023; though his resignation from politics may help her win the seat back.

Other high-ranking new candidates include union leader Chris Flatt in the Taupō electorate, who led the NZLP from 2009 to 2012 and has led the dairy workers union since then.

Kingi Kiriona (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Kahungunu) is a Waitangi Tribunal member, deputy chair of Te Māngai Pāho and will contest Hauraki-Waikato "with the blessing of the Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Kuīni Nga wai hono i te po".

Sophie Handford, age 26, is the youngest on the list and previously helped lead the School Strike 4 Climate. She served two terms on Kāpiti Coast District Council and is contesting the Kapiti seat.

Lawyer and social justice campaigner Max Harris is trying for the Tāmaki seat won last election by ACT's Brooke van Velden, who is also quitting politics.

Warrick Cleine is running list only and at rank 30 would need a strong party vote and enough Labour electorate losses to make it into Parliament.

Assistant Speaker Greg O'Connor is not on the list. He has held the Ōhāriu seat since 2017, but changes to electorate boundaries have eliminated the seat.

The only other sitting Labour MP not on the list is Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb, who announced his retirement from politics in October, and is set to leave Parliament in August.

Former Cabinet Minister Michael Wood is also expected to contest Mt Roskill again after losing the seat at the last election following repeated failures over two and a half years to declare shares held in a trust.

In a statement, party president Jill Day said the list showcased a "diverse, experienced team ready to deliver for New Zealanders".

"New Zealanders are doing it tough and deserve a team that is on their side. The team we are putting forward today is focused on ensuring that working hard in New Zealand means getting ahead - that people can afford to live and build a future here at home."

"National promised to fix the economy and the cost of living. They've made both worse. This election is a choice; a government focused on itself, or a team focused on the people of New Zealand," Day said.

Labour's 2026 list:

1. Chris Hipkins

2. Carmel Sepuloni

3. Barbara Edmonds

4. Willie Jackson (up from 5)

5. Megan Woods (down from 4)

6. Ayesha Verrall

7. Willow-Jean Prime (up from 8)

8. Vanushi Walters (up from 12)

9. Cushla Tangaere-Manuel (up from 20)

10. Kieran McAnulty (down from 7)

11. Rachel Brooking (up from 17)

12. Ginny Andersen (down from 9)

13. Rakesh Naidoo - new candidate

14. Tangi Utikere (down from 11)

15. Jan Tinetti (down from 10)

16. Damien O'Connor (up from 18)

17. Jo Luxton (down from 15)

18. Priyanca Radhakrishnan (down from 14)

19. Shanan Halbert (up from 28)

20. Chris Flatt - new candidate

21. Reuben Davidson (down from 13)

22. Kingi Kiriona - new candidate

23. Camilla Belich (down from 19)

24. Jenny Salesa (down from 23)

25. Glen Bennett (down from 21)

26. Sophie Handford - new candidate

27. Deborah Russell (down from 16)

28. Tracey McLellan (down from 22)

29. Max Harris - new candidate

30. Warrick Cleine - new candidate

31. Ibrahim Omer - returning candidate, lost Wellington central listed at 37th in 2023

32. Anae Neru Leavasa - returning candidate, lost Takanini listed at 48th in 2023

33. Georgie Dansey (down from 32)

34. Te Pūoho Kātene - new candidate

35. Naisi Chen - returning list candidate, listed at 33 in 2023

36. Dan Rosewarne (down from 31)

37. Rachel Boyack (down from 27)

38. Helen White (down from 30)

39. Ingrid Leary (down from 31)

40. Phil Twyford (down from 25)

41. Arena Williams (down from 24)

42. Lemauga Lydia Sosene (down from 31)

43. Kerrin Leoni - new candidate

44. Toni Boynton - returning candidate, lost Waiariki listed at 39th in 2023

45. Hannah Pia Baral - new candidate

46. Angela Roberts - returning candidate, lost Taranaki-King Country listed at 35th in 2023

47. Estefania Muller-Palarés - returning candidate, lost Whangaparaoa listed at 55th in 2023

48. Anahila Kanongata'a - returning candidate, lost Papakura listed at 34th in 2023

49. Gary Payinda - new candidate

50. Alex Hedley - new candidate

51. Craig Renney - new candidate

52. George Hampton - returning candidate, lost North Shore listed at 41st in 2023

53. Dominik Yanzick - new candidate

54. Rory Paterson - new candidate

55. Ashleigh Latimer - new candidate

56. Rata Jamieson - new candidate

57. Naresh Perinpanayagam - new candidate

58. Peter McDonald - new candidate

59. Amanda Clinton-Gohdes - new candidate

60. Myra Williamson - returning candidate, lost Hamilton West listed at 62nd in 2023

61. Kharag Singh - returning candidate, lost Botany listed at 66th in 2023

62. Janice Lee - new candidate

63. Sam Collins - new candidate

64. Sange Malama - new candidate

65. Rhieve Grey - new candidate

66. Karl Severinsen - new candidate

67. Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa - new candidate

68. Fisher Wang - new candidate

69. Brendan McEnroe - new candidate

70. Campbell Matthews - new candidate

71. David Pattemore - new candidate

72. Nathaniel Howe - new candidate