Kaikōura

General electorate in Canterbury

2026 General Electorate/Canterbury/Kaikōura
2023 election resultsShow ▾

Electorate (candidate) votes, 14 October 2023. Winner: Stuart Smith (National), majority 11,412.

  • Stuart SmithNational20,741 (50.0%)
  • Emma DewhirstLabour9,329 (22.5%)
  • Jamie ArbuckleNZ First4,347 (10.5%)
  • Keith GriffithsACT2,624 (6.3%)
  • Richard McCubbinGreen Party2,512 (6.1%)
  • Natalie ColelloLOYAL921 (2.2%)
  • Sandra CampbellDNZ509 (1.2%)
  • David GreensladeNew Conservative237 (0.6%)
  • John McCaskeyIndependent139 (0.3%)
  • Ted HowardIndependent109 (0.3%)
  • Shuan BrownIndependent43 (0.1%)

Source: Electoral Commission (electionresults.govt.nz). Electorate (candidate) vote only; party vote not shown.

Current MP for Kaikōura

Stuart Smith

Current MP
National
FromMarlborough
About
MP for Kaikōura, wine industry leader and former President of the NZ Grape Growers Council.

Focus

Four-term MP focused on supporting Marlborough's wine industry, rural communities and earthquake recovery in Kaikoura.

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Candidates

Oliver Hill-Hughes

New
Independent
FromKaikōura
About
Independent candidate for Kaikōura.

Matthew Flight

New
Labour
FromChristchurch
About
Former Marlborough district councillor (2022-2025) and appliance repair sole trader.

Focus

Campaigning in Kaikōura on the cost of living, local job availability and housing costs, drawing on three years on the Marlborough District Council.

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Jamie Arbuckle

NZ First
FromMarlborough
About
NZ First list MP since 2023 and party whip, Marlborough District Councillor for 13+ years and RMA Hearings Commissioner.

Focus

NZ First Party Whip and Marlborough District Councillor; focused on justice reform and regional social services for Kaikoura.

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Tom Spooner

New
ACT
FromHurunui
About
Industrial mechanic and business owner based in the Hurunui district.

Focus

Industrial mechanic and business owner campaigning on agricultural support and regulatory reform for rural Kaikoura.

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General electorateCanterbury2026 General Election - 7 Nov 2026