By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com
Labour has released its party list for the November election, confirming a slate that includes 30 newcomers and several significant reshuffles among sitting MPs.
Party president Jill Day said the list reflected “diversity, depth of talent, and a team that looks like Aotearoa”, adding that the moderating committee faced a difficult task due to the number of strong candidates. Based on the latest RNZ–Reid Research polling, Labour would return around 44 MPs, with electorate winners taking priority over list positions.
Leader Chris Hipkins said the party expected to bring in at least 10 new MPs. He highlighted the academic and professional backgrounds of candidates, noting the presence of two Rhodes scholars and two Fulbright scholars, alongside experience across business, farming, community organisations and the public sector.
One of the highest‑ranked newcomers is Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo, placed 13th and running as a list‑only candidate. Naidoo currently holds governance roles with FIFA’s Anti‑Racism and Anti‑Discrimination Committee, Sport NZ and Gandhi Nivas, and is a former chair of the Wellington Interfaith Council.
Several sitting MPs have seen notable movement. Cushla Tangaere‑Manuel, Labour’s only Māori‑electorate MP, jumps 11 places to ninth. Vanushi Walters continues her rise, moving from 12th to eighth after returning to Parliament last term following David Parker’s resignation. Rachel Brooking climbs eight spots to 11th.
Others have slipped. Camilla Belich drops to 23rd, making a return unlikely unless Labour significantly improves its vote. Deborah Russell falls 11 places to 27th, though Hipkins said he was confident she would remain in Parliament.
New candidates include union leader Chris Flatt in Taupō, Waitangi Tribunal member Kingi Kiriona in Hauraki‑Waikato, former climate strike organiser Sophie Handford in Kāpiti, and lawyer Max Harris in Tāmaki.
Assistant Speaker Greg O’Connor is absent from the list after the Ōhāriu electorate was eliminated in boundary changes. Hipkins said O’Connor chose not to seek a list position. Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb is also not standing again, having announced his retirement.
Former Cabinet minister Michael Wood is expected to contest Mt Roskill again after losing the seat in 2023.
Day said the list represented a team “ready to deliver for New Zealanders”, arguing that voters now faced a choice between “a government focused on itself, or a team focused on the people of New Zealand”.
📈 Biggest Risers
Cushla Tangaere‑Manuel — up 11 places (20 → 9)
Labour’s only Māori‑electorate MP rockets into the top 10, reflecting her growing influence inside the caucus.
Rachel Brooking — up 8 places (17 → 11)
A strong policy performer rewarded with a significant jump into the upper ranks.
Shanan Halbert — up 9 places (28 → 19)
A notable climb back into a competitive position after a difficult 2023 cycle.
Vanushi Walters — up 4 places (12 → 8)
Her steady rise continues after returning to Parliament mid‑term and taking on major portfolios.
📉 Biggest Fallers
Deborah Russell — down 11 places (16 → 27)
One of the steepest drops on the list. Hipkins insists she’ll return, but the ranking puts pressure on Labour’s party vote.
Camilla Belich — down 4 places (19 → 23)
A slide that likely ends her chances of returning unless Labour significantly outperforms current polling.
Ginny Andersen — down 3 places (9 → 12)
A move out of the top 10 despite holding senior shadow portfolios.
Kieran McAnulty — down 3 places (7 → 10)
Still high on the list, but no longer in Labour’s top tier.
🆕 Notable Newcomers
Rakesh Naidoo — ranked 13 (list‑only)
Police superintendent with governance roles across FIFA, Sport NZ and Gandhi Nivas.
Chris Flatt — ranked 20
Long‑time union leader and former NZLP general secretary.
Kingi Kiriona — ranked 22
Waitangi Tribunal member with backing from Māori leadership.
Sophie Handford — ranked 26
Former climate strike organiser and two‑term Kāpiti councillor.
Max Harris — ranked 29
Lawyer, author and social justice advocate contesting Tāmaki.
Labour’s 2026 list:
1. Chris Hipkins
2. Carmel Sepuloni
3. Barbara Edmonds
4. Willie Jackson (up from 5)
5. Megan Woods (down from 4)
6. Ayesha Verrall
7. Willow-Jean Prime (up from 8)
8. Vanushi Walters (up from 12)
9. Cushla Tangaere-Manuel (up from 20)
10. Kieran McAnulty (down from 7)
11. Rachel Brooking (up from 17)
12. Ginny Andersen (down from 9)
13. Rakesh Naidoo – new candidate
14. Tangi Utikere (down from 11)
15. Jan Tinetti (down from 10)
16. Damien O’Connor (up from 18)
17. Jo Luxton (down from 15)
18. Priyanca Radhakrishnan (down from 14)
19. Shanan Halbert (up from 28)
20. Chris Flatt – new candidate
21. Reuben Davidson (down from 13)
22. Kingi Kiriona – new candidate
23. Camilla Belich (down from 19)
24. Jenny Salesa (down from 23)
25. Glen Bennett (down from 21)
26. Sophie Handford – new candidate
27. Deborah Russell (down from 16)
28. Tracey McLellan (down from 22)
29. Max Harris – new candidate
30. Warrick Cleine – new candidate
31. Ibrahim Omer – returning candidate, lost Wellington central listed at 37th in 2023
32. Anae Neru Leavasa – returning candidate, lost Takanini listed at 48th in 2023
33. Georgie Dansey (down from 32)
34. Te Pūoho Kātene – new candidate
35. Naisi Chen – returning list candidate, listed at 33 in 2023
36. Dan Rosewarne (down from 31)
37. Rachel Boyack (down from 27)
38. Helen White (down from 30)
39. Ingrid Leary (down from 31)
40. Phil Twyford (down from 25)
41. Arena Williams (down from 24)
42. Lemauga Lydia Sosene (down from 31)
43. Kerrin Leoni – new candidate
44. Toni Boynton – returning candidate, lost Waiariki listed at 39th in 2023
45. Hannah Pia Baral – new candidate
46. Angela Roberts – returning candidate, lost Taranaki-King Country listed at 35th in 2023
47. Estefania Muller-Palarés – returning candidate, lost Whangaparaoa listed at 55th in 2023
48. Anahila Kanongata’a – returning candidate, lost Papakura listed at 34th in 2023
49. Gary Payinda – new candidate
50. Alex Hedley – new candidate
51. Craig Renney – new candidate
52. George Hampton – returning candidate, lost North Shore listed at 41st in 2023
53. Dominik Yanzick – new candidate
54. Rory Paterson – new candidate
55. Ashleigh Latimer – new candidate
56. Rata Jamieson – new candidate
57. Naresh Perinpanayagam – new candidate
58. Peter McDonald – new candidate
59. Amanda Clinton-Gohdes – new candidate
60. Myra Williamson – returning candidate, lost Hamilton West listed at 62nd in 2023
61. Kharag Singh – returning candidate, lost Botany listed at 66th in 2023
62. Janice Lee – new candidate
63. Sam Collins – new candidate
64. Sange Malama – new candidate
65. Rhieve Grey – new candidate
66. Karl Severinsen – new candidate
67. Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa – new candidate
68. Fisher Wang – new candidate
69. Brendan McEnroe – new candidate
70. Campbell Matthews – new candidate
71. David Pattemore – new candidate
72. Nathaniel Howe – new candidate
