Election 2026 results: Who won the Christchurch seats?

The winners and losers of Christchurch’s election battles have emerged, with voters deciding who will represent the city and wider Canterbury area in Parliament after weeks of campaigning and political debate. 

While voters elected some new faces, the region’s political map changed very little. 

Every electorate stayed with the same party that held it previously, except Banks Peninsula, where Labour reclaimed the seat National had narrowly captured at the last election. 

Here is a breakdown of who won each Christchurch electorate and how the contests unfolded on election night. 

As of 11.30pm Saturday night, votes were still being counted, but the likely winners in each Canterbury electorate had emerged, with most margins appearing large enough to put the outcomes beyond doubt. 

Christchurch Central - George Hampton, Labour 

Since 1946, Christchurch Central has only been won by National twice - with Nicky Wagner as its MP in 2011 and 2014. 

By 11.30pm, George Hampton was beating his closest competition, National’s Dale Stephens, by almost 3000 votes. 

Unsuccessful candidates were Kahu Carter (Green) Eden Skipper (Opportunity) Mark Russell Arneil (NZ First) Greg Byrnes (Alliance) Blair Anderson (ALCP) and Tubby Hansen. 

Hampton was born and raised in Christchurch, the son of prominent defence lawyer Nigel Hampton OBE, KC. 

He previously worked as a senior United Nations climate official and represented New Zealand overseas as a diplomat. 

• Newstalk ZB's 2026 Election coverage - Result deemed 'too close to call'

He also has experience in business, as co-owner of Mr Whippy New Zealand. 

Before the election, he said Christchurch “deserves energetic, practical leadership focused on the issues that shape everyday life”. 

“I know how to bring people together, get things done, and stand up for New Zealanders,” he said. 

Hampton takes over from Labour’s Duncan Webb who served the electorate’s MP for nearly nine years. 

He announced in October 2025 that he would not contest his seat in the 2026 general election. 

“I’ve decided I am going to take a break and then do something else. I want to spend more time adventuring, exploring nature, hiking, skiing and mountain biking with my partner and now-adult sons,” he said. 

George Hampton. Photo/Supplied 

Christchurch East - Reuben Davidson, Labour 

Reuben Davidson first won the seat in 2023, succeeding retiring Labour MP Poto Williams. 

He grew up in his electorate and has said he is “grateful and excited” to be the area’s MP. 

Before politics, Davidson worked producing children’s television shows including What Now, Fanimals and Brain Busters. 

Davidson was beating second-place candidate, National’s Alexandra Davids by more than 9000 votes. 

Other candidates were Toni Severin (ACT), Teresa Butler (Green), Shane Wiremu (NZ First), Ethan Gullery (Alliance), Helen Houghton (Conservative), Paula Lambert (ALCP), David Mueller-Cajar (Outdoors), Vikramjit Singh (Independent) and Glenn Thompson (NZ Loyal). 

Reuben Davidson. Photo / Supplied 

Ilam - Hamish Campbell, National 

Hamish Campbell was first elected in 2023. 

He was raised in the Ilam electorate before attending Otago University, where he attained a PhD in cancer and viruses. 

Before entering politics, Campbell had an international career as a cancer research scientist before he and his wife chose to return to Christchurch to raise their young family. 

He has previously stated that his passion to stand for Parliament was driven by his desire “to see a strong health and education system that gives everyone a fair chance, along with a genuine consideration for our natural environment”. 

Campbell’s closest competition was Labour’s Rata Jamieson. He was leading by 6706 votes by 11.30pm. 

The other candidates were Mike Davidson (Green), Ken Harpur (ACT), Nathan Walton (NZ First) and Courtney Fraser (Alliance). 

Hamish Campbell. Photo / Supplied 

Wigram - Dominick Yanzick, Labour 

This seat was considered an open race for the first time since 2011, with the long-serving Megan Woods stepping aside after five terms to run as a list-only candidate. 

Dominick Yanzick is a technology project manager who has promised to bring ould “practical experience from farms, factories and technology project management, alongside a commitment to listening and delivering results” to Wigram. 

“I understand the pressures local people face and will be a strong, accessible advocate for affordable living, quality public services, good jobs and well-planned growth,” he promised. 

Tonight Yanzick was leading over National’s Tracy Summerfield by just under 2000 votes. 

The other contenders were Laura McClure (ACT), Shreejan Pandey (Green), Bryce Park (NZ First), William Donald Alexander (Free Palestine) and Geoff McTague (Independent). 

Dominik Yanzick. Photo / LinkedIn 

Banks Peninsula - Tracey McLellan, Labour 

Tracey McLellan held the seat from 2020-2023 before she was edged out by National’s Vanessa Weenink by just 400 votes. 

McLellan grew up in Southland has been living in Christchurch since 2002. 

She attended the University of Canterbury, graduating with a PhD in psychology and worked for a number of years in clinical research, focussing on dementia and the aftermath of childhood brain injury. 

McLellan later worked as an organiser for the New Zealand Nurses Organisation. 

Prior to her election as an MP, she was the Senior Vice President of the Labour Party. 

McLellan was beating Weenink by more than 2200 votes. 

The other unsuccessful candidates were: Craig Pauling (Green) Zac Wellman (ACT) John Stringer (NZ First) Kyle Turnbull (Alliance) Amy Lorraine Turner (Conservative) and Lesley Sales (NZ Loyal). 

Tracey McLellan. Photo / Supplied 

Selwyn - Nicola Grigg, National 

Nicola Grigg was first elected in 2020. 

She was born and raised on the family sheep and beef farm in Mt Somers, Mid Canterbury and studied at the New Zealand Broadcasting School, graduating with a Degree in Broadcast Communications and Diplomas in Television and Radio News. 

Before politics, Grigg worked as a reporter and newsreader, then as a press secretary for Sir Bill English during his tenure as Minister of Finance and Prime Minister. 

Grigg has also worked with a range of agri-businesses in export marketing and business development. 

Tonight she was leading the vote count by more than 19,000 ahead of Labour’s Sunita Gautam. 

The other candidates were Alma de Anda (Green), Iain Murray (ACT), Elizabeth Mundt (NZ First), Adrian Mee (Opportunity), Jesse Luke (Alliance) and Zoran Rakovic (Independent). 

Nicola Grigg. Photo / Mark Mitchell 

Waimakariri - Matt Doocey, National 

Matt Doocey has held the seat since 2014. 

He previously worked in mental health in both New Zealand and the UK, before returning home to work at the Canterbury District Health Board. 

Doocey was born and raised in Canterbury, attending St Bede’s College before completing a BSc (Hons) in Social Policy, an MA in Healthcare Management from Kingston University in London, and an MSc in Global Politics from Birkbeck College, University of London. 

“A big thank you to Waimakariri voters; it’s a privilege to be reelected,” he said. 

“I’ve worked hard over the last three years, but there’s still more work to do. 

“I’m looking forward to getting back into it on Monday. We’ve got a bypass to build and an after-hours medical facility to open.” 

Earlier this evening, Doocey attended the greater Christchurch National Party election night event at Addington Raceway. 

He said he was “blown away by the size of the crowd”, which was “double the amount of people from three years ago”. 

“Across the seven seats of Greater Christchurch we’ve had great support on the ground... it’s game on,” he said. 

Doocey came up against the same Labour candidate he won against in 2023 – list MP Dan Rosewarne, who became an MP in 2022 when Labour’s Kris Faafoi resigned. 

Prior to 2011, the seat was held by Labour stalwarts Mike Moore and Clayton Cosgrove. 

Doocey was ahead of Rosewarne by more than 11,000 votes. 

The other candidates were Ashley Bettridge (ACT), Richard Wesley (Green) and Jackie Farrelly (NZ First). 

Matt Doocey. Photo / NZME 

Rangitata - James Meager, National 

James Meager was born and raised in Timaru, where he continues to live. 

He has a degree in Law and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Otago, and before he was elected in 2023, he practised law as a public law litigator for the law firm Simpson Grierson. 

Before that he worked in pest and predator control in the central South Island and in Parliament, including for former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett. 

The second-place candidate in Rangitata was Labour’s Sange Malama who, by 11.30pm, had 13,900 less votes than Meager. 

The remaining candidates were Aaron Allred (ACT), Isaac Nicholson (NZ First), Matt Harris (Opportunity), Kevin McCracken (Outdoors), Dave Richards (Green) and Karl Thomas (Conservative) 

James Meager. Photo / NZME 

While the outcomes in Canterbury’s electorates appear settled, the figures remain preliminary and could change once special votes are counted and the official results are released. 

Election night results exclude special votes cast in New Zealand and overseas, which will be checked and counted as part of the official count. 

The Electoral Commission expects to release the official results on November 27. 

While vote totals and winning margins may shift, special votes are unlikely to alter any of the electorate winners. 

Anna Leask is a senior journalist who covers Christchurch issues and national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for more than 20 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence and homicides. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz.