Election 2026: Pasifika feature in reshaped Labour lineup as party eyes November vote

Labour has unveiled its party list for the general election in November on who could enter Parliament depending on the party vote and candidate rankings.

The list includes 30 new candidates and confirms changes for sitting MPs with some rising, others falling, and a reshaped team ahead of the campaign.

Pacific representation remains prominent in Labour's line-up with senior MPs including Carmel Sepuloni, Barbara Edmonds, and Jenny Salesa - all returning for the general election.

Labour's line-up also includes several Pacific candidates, with returning contenders such as Anae Neru Leavasa and Anahila Kanongata'a joined by newer names including Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa and Sange Malama.

Based on the latest RNZ-Reid Research polling, Labour would hold around 44 seats.

Candidates who win electorate seats are elected first, with list MPs filling remaining places depending on the party vote.

Chris Hipkins and Carmel Sepuloni will lead Labour into the November election after the party confirmed its candidate rankings and campaign team.

One of the most secure new entrants is Police Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo, ranked 13th on the list. He is the Ethnic, Iwi and Communities Relationships Manager for police and is standing as a list-only candidate.

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

Among sitting MPs, there have been some notable movements including changes that affect several Pacific and ethnic community representatives.

Police Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo is among Labour's election list which features a mix of experienced and emerging Pacific candidates as the party prepares for the November election. Photo/NZ National Refugees Association

Cushla Tangaere-Manuel, Labour’s only sitting MP holding a Māori electorate seat, has risen 11 places to ninth on the list.

Vanushi Walters has also continued her climb, moving from 12th to 8th. She re-entered Parliament after David Parker’s resignation following her earlier loss of the Upper Harbour seat in 2023.

Rachel Brooking has risen eight places to 11th while Camilla Belich has dropped to 23rd and now faces a difficult path back into Parliament.

Deborah Russell has fallen to 27th and is in a tighter position although changes in electorate boundaries and contesting conditions could still influence her chances.

Other new candidates include union leader Chris Flatt, ranked 20th, who has long experience in the labour movement and dairy sector representation.

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

Youth supporters have been a visible presence at Labour events as the party prepares for the election campaign. Photo/Labour Party

At 26, Sophie Handford is the youngest candidate on the list. She was a leading voice in the School Strike 4 Climate movement and has served two terms on Kāpiti Coast District Council. She will contest the Kāpiti seat.

Lawyer and activist Max Harris will stand in Tāmaki, while Warrick Cleine appears at 30 on the list and would likely need both a strong party vote and favourable electorate results to enter Parliament.

Assistant Speaker Greg O’Connor is not on the list after holding Ōhāriu since 2017. The electorate has been removed following boundary changes.

Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb is also absent after announcing his retirement from politics.

Former Cabinet Minister Michael Wood is expected to contest Mt Roskill again after losing the seat at the last election following issues over undeclared shareholdings.

Labour candidates for the 2026 general election in November. Photo/Supplied

Labour Party president Jill Day said the list reflects a team ready to lead the country.

"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."

She also criticised the current government’s record on the economy and cost of living, saying voters now face a clear choice at the election.

"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.

Watch Green MP Teanau Tuiono, National Party candidate Angee Nicholas and Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni joined Pacific Mornings to share their thoughts on the Budget announcement below.

Labour’s 2026 list

Chris Hipkins, Carmel Sepuloni, Barbara Edmonds, Willie Jackson (up from five), Megan Woods (down from four), Ayesha Verrall, Willow-Jean Prime (up from eight), Vanushi Walters (up from 12), Cushla Tangaere-Manuel (up from 20), Kieran McAnulty (down from seven), Rachel Brooking (up from 17), Ginny Andersen (down from nine), Rakesh Naidoo - new candidate, Tangi Utikere (down from 11), Jan Tinetti (down from 10), Damien O’Connor (up from 18), Jo Luxton (down from 15), Priyanca Radhakrishnan (down from 14), Shanan Halbert (up from 28), Chris Flatt - new candidate, Reuben Davidson (down from 13), Kingi Kiriona - new candidate, Camilla Belich (down from 19), Jenny Salesa (down from 23), Glen Bennett (down from 21), Sophie Handford - new candidate, Deborah Russell (down from 16), Tracey McLellan (down from 22), Max Harris - new candidate, Warrick Cleine - new candidate, Ibrahim Omer - returning candidate, Anae Neru Leavasa - returning candidate, Georgie Dansey (down from 32), Te Pūoho Kātene - new candidate, Naisi Chen - returning candidate, Dan Rosewarne (down from 31), Rachel Boyack (down from 27), Helen White (down from 30), Ingrid Leary (down from 31), Phil Twyford (down from 25), Arena Williams (down from 24), Lemauga Lydia Sosene (down from 31), Kerrin Leoni - new candidate, Toni Boynton - returning candidate, Hannah Pia Baral - new candidate, Angela Roberts - returning candidate, Estefania Muller-Palarés - returning candidate, Anahila Kanongata’a - returning candidate, Gary Payinda - new candidate, Alex Hedley - new candidate, Craig Renney - new candidate, George Hampton - returning candidate, Dominik Yanzick - new candidate, Rory Paterson - new candidate, Ashleigh Latimer - new candidate, Rata Jamieson - new candidate, Naresh Perinpanayagam - new candidate, Peter McDonald - new candidate, Amanda Clinton-Gohdes - new candidate, Myra Williamson - returning candidate Kharag Singh - returning candidate, Janice Lee - new candidate, Sam Collins - new candidate, Sange Malama - new candidate, Rhieve Grey - new candidate, Karl Severinsen - new candidate, Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa - new candidate, Fisher Wang - new candidate, Brendan McEnroe - new candidate, Campbell Matthews - new candidate, David Pattemore - new candidate, Nathaniel Howe - new candidate.