Labour unveils list of candidates, party president says it gives 'give New Zealanders real choice for the kind of country we want to live in'

Labour has released its line up for the 2026 election. 

Ōhāriu MP Greg O'Connor has been left off the list, Labour leader Chris Hipkins saying O'Connor decided not to run on the list over the weekend, which followed the Ōhāriu seat, which O'Connor holds, being disestablished. 

Former Minister Michael Wood, who is running in Mount Roskill, is not on the list. While Council of Trade Unions economist Craig Renney, who is running in Wellington Bays, has been put at 51. 

Police superintendent Rakesh Naidoo is the top list ranked non-MP. Naidoo is the national partnerships manager of ethnic, iwi and communities for NZ Police. 

Labour Party President Jill Day said their list "is drawn from communities, regions and cultures across New Zealand."

"We’re combining seasoned MPs with fresh voices, and the team includes leaders in health, education, small business, community development and environmental protection."

“This fantastic team will give New Zealanders real choice for the kind of country we want to live in,” Jill Day said.

Labour Party list for the 2026 election

1. Chris Hipkins (sitting, electorate MP)

2. Carmel Sepuloni (sitting, electorate MP)

3. Barbara Edmonds (sitting, electorate MP)

4. Willie Jackson (sitting)

5. Megan Woods (sitting, electorate MP)

6. Ayesha Verrall (sitting)

7. Willow-Jean Prime (sitting)

8. Vanushi Walters (sitting)

9. Cushla Tangaere-Manuel (sitting, electorate MP)

10. Kieran McAnulty (sitting)

11. Rachel Brooking (sitting, electorate MP)

12. Ginny Andersen (sitting)

13. Rakesh Naidoo

14. Tangi Utikere (sitting, electorate MP)

15. Jan Tinetti (sitting)

16. Damien O’Connor (sitting)

17. Jo Luxton  (sitting)

18. Priyanca Radhakrishnan (sitting)

19. Shanan Halbert  (sitting)

20. Chris Flatt

21. Reuben Davidson (sitting, electorate MP)

22. Kingi Kiriona

23. Camilla Belich (sitting)

24. Jenny Salesa  (sitting, electorate MP)

25. Glen Bennett (sitting)

26. Sophie Handford

27. Deborah Russell (sitting)

28. Tracey McLellan (sitting)

29. Max Harris

30. Warrick Cleine

31. Ibrahim Omer

32. Anae Neru Leavasa

33. Georgie Dansey (sitting)

34. Te Pūoho Kātene

35. Naisi Chen

36. Dan Rosewarne (sitting)

37. Rachel Boyack (sitting, electorate MP)

38. Helen White (sitting, electorate MP)

39. Ingrid Leary (sitting, electorate MP)

40. Phil Twyford (sitting, electorate MP)

41. Arena Williams (sitting, electorate MP)

42. Lemauga Lydia Sosene (sitting, electorate MP)

43. Kerrin Leoni

44. Toni Boynton

45. Hannah Pia Baral

46. Angela Roberts

47. Estefania Muller-Palarés

48. Anahila Kanongata’a

49. Gary Payinda

50. Alex Hedley

51. Craig Renney

52. George Hampton

53. Dominik Yanzick

54. Rory Paterson

55. Ashleigh Latimer

56. Rata Jamieson

57. Naresh Perinpanayagam

58. Peter McDonald

59. Amanda Clinton-Gohdes

60. Myra Williamson

61. Kharag Singh

62. Janice Lee

63. Sam Collins

64. Sange Malama

65. Rhieve Grey

66. Karl Severinsen

67. Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa

68. Fisher Wang

69. Brendan McEnroe

70. Campbell Matthews

71. David Pattemore

72. Nathaniel Howe