Waitaki
General electorate in Canterbury
2023 election resultsShow â–¾
Electorate (candidate) votes, 14 October 2023. Winner: Miles Anderson (National), majority 12,151.
- Miles AndersonNational22,675 (51.8%)
- Ethan ReilleLabour10,524 (24.0%)
- Pleasance HansenGreen Party3,495 (8.0%)
- Sean BeamishACT2,477 (5.7%)
- Anthony OrderingNZ First1,823 (4.2%)
- Ray BaileyLOYAL1,125 (2.6%)
- Roger SmallDNZ1,078 (2.5%)
- Daniel ShandIndependent584 (1.3%)
Source: Electoral Commission (electionresults.govt.nz). Electorate (candidate) vote only; party vote not shown.
Current MP for Waitaki
Miles Anderson
Current MPNational
FromOamaru
About
Farmer and agricultural industry representative serving as MP for Waitaki.
Focus
Sitting MP focused on regional infrastructure, water management and supporting Waitaki's agricultural economy.
Candidates
Damien O'Connor
Labour
FromWestport
About
Labour list MP and former electorate MP for West Coast-Tasman (1993–2008, 2011–2023); former Minister of Agriculture, Trade and Biosecurity.
Focus
30+ year parliamentary veteran who moved to contest Waitaki; holds the defence portfolio and brings deep understanding of regional and rural issues.
Sean Beamish
ACT
FromLake Hawea
About
Maintenance engineer and asset-reliability consultant.
Focus
Engineering professional campaigning on rural representation and reducing government overreach in Waitaki.
Helen Tait
NewTOP
FromWaitaki
About
Library director and local-government consultant with extensive public-sector management experience.
Focus
Campaigning on regional economic development in the North Otago/South Canterbury Waitaki electorate.
Michael Laws
NewNZ First
FromOtago
About
Broadcaster, Otago Regional councillor, former Whanganui mayor and 1990s MP, announced by Winston Peters as NZ First's Waitaki candidate on 3 July 2026.
General electorateCanterbury2026 General Election - 7 Nov 2026