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The field standing in Kaipara ki Mahurangi are:
Zephyr Brown, Greens
Simon Court, ACT
Mark Dennis, Independent
Liz Dotcom, NZ Outdoors & Freedom
Daniel Eb, Opportunity
Jenny Marcroft, NZ First
Jessica Rowe, National
Jolyon Swinburn, Labour
Ivan Wagstaff, Independent
In our October 12 issue, Kaipara ki Mahurangi candidates (registered at that time) introduced themselves to readers and answered some questions about their priority issues. Now, as we enter the last days of the election campaign, they expand further on some issues of interest.
Do you think the fast track legislation, which basically excludes community input, is being used appropriately?
Eb: “Opportunity supports the aim of the fast-track process, but will advocate for reforms that ensure proper community consultation and environmental protections are in place. We support new housing being built, but we want it to happen through urban intensification rather than sprawl. Our housing policy targets the incentives that make land banking and sprawl profitable, through the introduction of a land value tax, simplified zoning that encourages density where infrastructure already exists, and additional financing for well-considered developments. This approach aligns well with the sequencing of the Auckland Council’s Unitary plan.
Wagstaff: “No. Residential housing should never be eligible for fast-track consenting unless strictly tied to guaranteed, funded infrastructure upfront. Pushing 1500 homes onto Ōrewa’s fringe or massive sprawling subdivisions across Warkworth without expanding water networks, wastewater treatment, arterial roads and health clinics is reckless. When Wellington bureaucrats bypass local planning to rubber-stamp houses without pipes and roads, existing ratepayers foot the bill and inherit gridlocked communities. As an Independent MP, my crossbench vote will demand changes so no residential scheme proceeds without legally binding, fully funded infrastructure agreements first.
Marcroft: “New Zealand First backs growth, backs housing and absolutely backs getting things built, but the cart is being put before the horse. We will ensure any future fast-tracked housing developments are supported by the necessary infrastructure before approval is granted. We will bring a suite of changes to the current fast-track regime.
Swinburn: “Absolutely not. We need to make progress, but not by overriding communities, softening environmental safeguards, and approving development without the roads, water, wastewater and flood resilience to support it. That just shifts costs onto ratepayers later. In government, Labour would amend the legislation so infrastructure planning, environmental safeguards and meaningful local input are restored. Fast-tracking bad planning is not progress.
Brown: “No. The Greens would repeal the Fast-track Approvals Act. Faster consenting should mean better-resourced planning, not side-lined communities. I support development aligned with democratically agreed plans, environmental protections and funded infrastructure. Roads, water, wastewater and public services must be planned alongside housing, not left for councils (and ratepayers) and affected existing residents to sort out. Plan changes should involve residents and mana whenua through meaningful public consultation, rather than bypassing them.
Rowe: “The fast-track process is designed to provide a one-stop shop for consenting, which has been far too slow and cumbersome for many years. All the same factors are part of the decision making – for example, provision of infrastructure – and expert views, along with community expectations, are still taken into account.
Is your party committed to building the Te Hana to Whāngārei section of SH1?
Eb: “As part of our intergenerational infrastructure policy, Opportunity supports major projects like the Te Hana to Whangarei corridor being subject to a formal review by an enhanced Te Waihanga (NZ Infrastructure Commission). Should the Commission’s cost-benefit analysis stack-up, Opportunity would support delivery through a National Infrastructure Plan, so that no single government can dismantle large projects like these between elections.
Wagstaff: “As an Independent, I answer only to Rodney. I fiercely support completing four-lane expressway connectivity from Warkworth through Te Hana to Whāngārei. The Brynderwyns have shown how fragile our lifeline is. Northland and Rodney cannot endure third-world freight bottlenecks and deadly blackspots. I will use my crossbench leverage on supply and confidence to guarantee this corridor remains fully funded and delivered.
Marcroft: “Yes
Swinburn: “That section of SH1 is strategically important for safety, resilience and regional connection, but major transport projects must stack up and be delivered as part of a credible long-term plan. My priority is practical investment that improves safety, reduces bottlenecks and supports Northland and the wider upper north, rather than one-off announcements without a delivery pathway.
Brown: “Our published transport programme does not commit to this motorway. I support safer, more resilient northern connections, but would assess targeted road upgrades alongside rail and bus alternatives. I’m a strong supporter of rail, I’d like to see commuter rail all the way to Wellsford rather than a very expensive motorway extension built, while SH16 is continually blocked. Investment should deliver safety, reliability and economic benefits without locking us into greater fossil-fuel dependence.
Rowe: “The National Party has long championed a four-lane highway between Auckland and Whangarei. Following the success of the Puhoi to Warkworth section, we’re now underway with the Warkworth to Te Hana section, providing local construction and other jobs in the process. The full expressway to Whangarei won’t happen overnight but National is committed to it happening, for reasons of economic growth, improving productivity and passenger safety.
How should the government help communities prepare for the impacts of climate driven events?
Eb: “Our Climate Action policy is about genuinely preparing for the extreme weather challenges ahead. To ensure Kiwis are safe and secure in a climate-charged future, Opportunity will create a National Insurance Support Framework for managing the retreat of our coastal and flood-prone communities, require clear climate-risk information on new homes so people can make informed decisions, and create a $5 billion Climate Resilience Fund that includes $500 million for nature-based solutions that protect our communities. In addition, we’ll launch a broad emissions reduction programme to meet our Paris Agreement obligations and lock in a long-term climate action plan that lasts across future governments.
Wagstaff: “Stop Auckland Council and central government draining our rates into downtown vanity schemes while our culverts choke. Government must co-fund local, ring-fenced catchment resilience: sealing and reinforcing unsealed rural roads, upgrading vulnerable bridges across the Kaipara and Mahurangi catchments, clearing slip-prone hillsides, and empowering local civil defence networks.
Marcroft: “NZ First believes adaptation is a practical solution to keep communities safe. $200 million was invested from the Regional Infrastructure Fund alongside local government to build stop banks to help protect communities facing potential flooding from adverse weather events.
Swinburn: “There is an important role for government to help communities prepare for big weather events. Better flood mapping, more resilient infrastructure, nature-based solutions and funding that helps councils and communities adapt. Investing in climate resilience and public infrastructure is essential and will save us all money down the line.
Brown: “Government should fund community-led adaptation with councils and mana whenua: flood protection, restored wetlands, resilient infrastructure and emergency hubs. Communities also need fair support for relocation where necessary. Preparation cannot leave households carrying the entire burden. Cutting emissions remains essential. National funding should support councils and community organisations before disasters, not just afterwards.
Rowe: “The National-led government has been working with local government and communities, including iwi (especially marae that have helped in response and recovery efforts) to ensure we are ready for climate driven events. Partly this is social infrastructure and general preparedness, including using warning systems appropriately, and partly this is about infrastructure such as river stop banks, waterways clearing etc.
What specific action would you support to improve access to primary healthcare in communities such as Warkworth, Wellsford and the wider electorate?
Eb: “One of Opportunity’s election bottom lines is the establishment of a 10-year, cross-party plan for health that ensures our doctors, nurses and administrators get the long-term funding they deserve. As part of that plan, we’ll advocate to double funding for primary healthcare – like GP and specialist clinics in Kaipara ki Mahurangi and across the country.
Wagstaff: “Our families and seniors shouldn’t face a dangerous 50-minute trek to North Shore Hospital for urgent care. I will fight for targeted rural GP retention grants, state capital backing for 24/7 urgent care and maternity hubs in Warkworth, and direct funding to expand Wellsford’s medical facilities. We need boots-on-the-ground clinicians, not more Wellington health bureaucrats.
Marcroft: “Primary care health is that gatekeeper to the rest of the health system. Prevention and early intervention measures, and support for a healthier ageing population, will reduce avoidable hospital admissions and keep people well in the community. Support for our healthcare workforce to be working at “top of scope”, including pharmacists and nurse practitioners, will help ease the pressure on GPs and reduce patient wait times.
Swinburn: “The biggest improvement would be making primary care cheaper and easier to access. Labour’s three free GP visits, free prescriptions, free cervical screening and free pregnancy scans would help immediately. We also need more capacity in certain areas, which is why the three free GP visits policy comes with our Family Doctor Loan Scheme. This will help doctors open or expand clinics closer to where people live, and recognises the important role GPs play in our communities.
Brown: “I support progressing free primary care, nurse pay parity, mobile clinics and expanded pharmacy services. Locally, I would push for more GP and nurse-practitioner capacity, after-hours care and regular outreach across Warkworth, Wellsford and surrounding rural communities.
Rowe: “If elected as local MP, I would advocate strongly for investment in primary health for areas like Warkworth and Wellsford.
Where do you stand on AI data centres and do you think NZ’s AI strategy adequately addresses safety concerns?
Eb: We’ll require every AI data centre to fund its own clean energy, pay its full grid connection costs and publicly report its energy and water use. To manage the impact of AI on New Zealand, we’ll deliver a cross-party, national AI framework covering data rights, intellectual property and investment, shaped by the public directly.
Wagstaff: Data centres must bring their own power and water. They cannot be allowed to drain Rodney’s power grid, trigger local brownouts or deplete our rural aquifers. If big tech wants to operate here, they must provide 100% self-sufficient renewable generation, closed-loop cooling, and fully fund local infrastructure upgrades upfront. We also need strict national safety oversight holding foreign operators fully accountable, without creating another bloated ministerial silo.
Marcroft: “New Zealand is a very attractive place for extremely large technology companies seeking the right conditions to develop datacentres that meet their needs for AI training, computation, storage and data connectivity. However major issues need to be addressed, in the interests of our society and our economy. For example, the potential displacement of national energy and electricity supply, and the related potential for the cost of electricity to rise.
Swinburn: “AI is an area where I believe there can, and should be, greater cross-party consensus. Data centres can deliver real benefits for New Zealand and for local communities, but only if they meet strong conditions around energy use, infrastructure costs, environmental impact, and community benefit. Labour’s AI plan addresses this, and also recognises that AI policy must also address safety, privacy, transparency and accountability. In government, Labour will establish an Office for AI within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, to provide coordinated oversight and make sure New Zealand takes a careful, future-focused approach.
Brown: “I support pausing new hyperscale data centre consents until enforceable safeguards exist, including additional renewable power, water limits and community consent. Data sovereignty is important, so we will need these data centres in NZ, but the government’s light-touch strategy is insufficient. We need enforceable privacy protections, safety audits and human oversight of consequential decisions. Personally, I would support an AI minister – Greens propose an AI office and eventual independent commission.
Rowe: “NZ’s current AI strategy is appropriately “light touch” to reflect the potential of AI. Of course it will need to be considered carefully going forward, including to assess any possible dangers of misuse as could arise from time-to-time. National would also require AI data centres to provide their own, firmed power as a condition of their consent so that power bills don’t increase as a result of the centre.
Where do you stand on the Legislation (Definitions of Woman and Man) Amendment Bill?
Eb: “Opportunity opposes this Bill because it is pointless, unscientific and unworkable – and because it harms New Zealanders.
Wagstaff: “I support common sense clarity in statute: biological definitions protect women’s sports, safety and single-sex spaces. At the same time, we must treat every Kiwi with dignity and avoid culture-war posturing that distracts from fixing our roads, healthcare and cost of living.
Marcroft: “There has been a shifting meaning of the words woman and man that for millennia pointed unambiguously to biological sex. Today, in our legal system, they are pulled between two rival meanings: objective biological reality on one side and subjective gender identity on the other. This bill addresses a straightforward question: when Parliament uses the words “woman” “man” “female” and “male” in New Zealand law what do those words mean? This is not a philosophical question. It is a legal one.
Swinburn: “I do not support it. It is divisive, unnecessary and a poor use of Parliament’s time. Trans and gender-diverse people are already among the most vulnerable in our communities. Parliament should be focused on cost of living, health and infrastructure and not targeting a small minority for political theatre.
Brown: “I oppose it. Women’s rights and transgender people’s rights should not be pitted against each other. We should tackle violence, discrimination, unequal pay and barriers to healthcare. Blanket definitions across legislation are not a substitute for addressing practical issues carefully and fairly.
Rowe: “The position of the National Party on this bill has been to support it at its First Reading, then hear public submissions to inform our stance going forward.
Should the retirement age rise to 67 years or higher?
Eb: “No. Instead, Opportunity’s Kiwisaver 2.0 plan introduces a compulsory, tax-free retirement scheme with employee and employer contribution rising to a combined 12% over time – building a trillion-dollar capital pool to fund infrastructure and national development.
Wagstaff: “No. Forcing rural tradespeople, farmers and shift workers to work past 65 is unfair. Superannuation is affordable if Wellington cuts wasteful bureaucracy and vanity spending.
Marcroft: “No
Swinburn: “I do not support lifting the retirement age across the board. People in physically demanding jobs, or with poorer health outcomes, should not be forced to work longer because government has chosen the bluntest tool available.
Brown: “No. The Greens support universal NZ Super from 65. People should be able to work longer by choice, not necessity. I favour funding a dignified retirement through fair taxation rather than requiring everyone to work another two years.
Rowe: “It’s inevitable that the age will need to rise, given our ageing population and life expectancy increases, but any plan will need to be equitable. National’s position has been to ensure any extension of the age eligibility threshold is well signalled in advance and incremental once delivered. However, this decision also requires political consensus to create certainty – it is clear that that consensus does not exist yet and so National is not campaigning on raising the age.
Are you in favour of a four-year parliamentary term?
Eb: “Yes. This is a 2023 electoral review recommendation that will deliver better policymaking and political stability.
Wagstaff: “Yes, but only if paired with stronger checks: binding local referenda and independent oversight so governments focus on long-term infrastructure rather than short-term election bribes.
Marcroft: “This should go to a referendum for the people of NZ to decide.
Swinburn: “I support a four-year term, but agree with others that this sort of change should come with stronger democratic safeguards and accountability. More time between elections should mean better long-term planning, not less scrutiny.
Brown: “I’m open to four years, but only with public approval through a referendum and stronger parliamentary scrutiny. Longer terms could improve planning; they must not become longer periods of unchecked power. Better law-making and accountability need to come together.
Rowe: “National is open to the idea but it would need to be endorsed by the people of New Zealand in a referendum, rather than by politicians making the rules of the game that we play!
Should the Waitangi Tribunal be disbanded?
Eb: “No. The Waitangi Tribunal reports and recommends on ways to honour Te Tiriti today. It is wrong to silence this critical voice for our founding document and national contract.
Wagstaff: “Its original scope – investigating historical Crown breaches – is largely completed. It should not act as an unelected second chamber vetoing contemporary policy. It needs a structured wind-down to finalise historical claims and refocus resources on practical local health and education outcomes.
Marcroft: “Yes, New Zealand First will table legislation within the first 100 days after the next election to immediately abolish the Waitangi Tribunal and replace it with the Treaty of Waitangi Completion Commission. The new Commission will have the purpose of finalising all claims prior to 2008, after which time its work will be finished.
Swinburn: “No. The Tribunal remains an important institution for addressing Treaty issues and holding governments to account. Disbanding it would not solve anything and it would deepen division.
Brown: “Absolutely not. The Tribunal provides accountability for Treaty breaches and helps resolve injustices peacefully. Greens would strengthen and resource it. Disbanding it would not remove the Crown’s obligations, only an important means of examining whether those obligations are being honoured.
Rowe: “The Tribunal still has a useful role to determine historic breaches of the Treaty, in particular land confiscations. But it will be a great day for New Zealand when these are all finally resolved, of course. There is a review underway on the future of the Waitangi Tribunal and it will be interesting to see what that review says.
Are you happy with our current immigration settings?
Eb: “We believe that moderate, sustained immigration is good for New Zealand. Immigration can bring expertise, energy and capital to the economy, but immigration also needs to be accounted for properly in our infrastructure, planning and social programmes. The solution is a long-term population strategy that sets out the population outcomes we want, alongside better delivery of infrastructure, through our 30-year cross-party plan for infrastructure.
Wagstaff: “Immigration must match regional carrying capacity. Bringing in record numbers while our schools are overflowing and motorways are gridlocked is irresponsible. We need targeted specialist skills – doctors, nurses and civil engineers – tied to strict regional infrastructure thresholds.
Marcroft: “No, New Zealanders have the right to determine the future size and character of their country. We need to start viewing our citizenship as most other countries around the world do – it is a privilege that comes with special and unique rights and identity. Under our policy changes only NZ citizens will be allowed to vote. We will double the required period to qualify for citizenship from five years to a minimum of 10 years. The qualifying period for permanent residence will be extended from two to five years. Changes also include automatic deportation for those found guilty of violent or sexual crimes, found guilty of fraud, participating in an organised criminal group, money laundering and migrant exploitation.
Swinburn: “Our settings need to be balanced. New Zealand needs skills, workers and international connections, but immigration must be matched by housing, infrastructure and services. The answer is not scapegoating migrants, it is better planning.
Brown: “Not entirely. We need fair residency pathways, family reunification and freedom for migrant workers to change employers. Immigration should complement workforce planning and investment in housing, infrastructure and services. Migrants are members of our communities, not disposable labour.
Rowe: “Yes, and these settings should always be considered carefully as circumstances change. Our current immigration settings carefully balance the value of population growth (particularly to fill skill shortage gaps) with the need to ensure that we don’t fall behind in terms of infrastructure such as schools and healthcare facilities, relative to the number of people needing these services.
Where to vote
Leigh School,
22 Hauraki Road, Leigh –
opening hours: 7 Nov (9am-7pm);
Mahurangi College Hall Foyer,
Woodcocks Road, Warkworth –
opening hours: 7 Nov (9am-7pm);
Mahurangi East Tennis Club,
296 Mahurangi East Road, Snells Beach –
opening hours: 30 Oct (12pm-5pm),
31 Oct (9am-5pm), 1&2 Nov (9am-5pm),
3 Nov (9am-6pm), 4&5 Nov (9am-7pm),
6 Nov (9am-5pm), 7 Nov (9am-7pm);
Mahurangi Hope Centre,
22 Mansel Drive, Warkworth –
opening hours: 29 Oct (10am-2pm);
Mahurangi West Hall,
401 Mahurangi West Road –
opening hours: 7 Nov (9am-7pm);
Matakana Community Hall,
43 Matakana Valley Road –
opening hours: 30 Oct (12pm-6pm),
31 Oct (9am-5pm), 1 Nov (9am-5pm),
2&3 Nov (9am-6pm), 4&5 Nov (9am-7pm),
6 Nov (9am-5pm), 7 Nov (9am-7pm);
Matakana School,
Matakana Road –
opening hours: 7 Nov (9am-7pm);
New World Mangawhai Car Park,
83 Molesworth Drive –
opening hours: 27 Oct (12pm-4pm),
28&29 Oct (10am-4pm),
30 Oct (10am-7pm), 31 Oct (10am-4pm),
1-4 Nov (10am-4pm), 5 Nov (10am-7pm),
6 Nov (10am-4pm), 7 Nov (9am-7pm);
Omaha Beach Bowling Club,
3 North West Anchorage –
opening hours: 6 Nov (10am-5pm);
Point Wells Hall,
Point Wells Road –
opening hours: 7 Nov (9am-7pm);
Port Albert Hall,
980 Port Albert Road –
opening hours: 31 Oct (9am-5pm);
Pūhoi Fire Station,
52 Ahuroa Road –
opening hours: 7 Nov (9am-7pm);
Summerset Falls,
31 Mansel Drive, Warkworth –
opening hours: 5 Nov (9am-3pm);
Tapora School,
1 Okahukura Road –
opening hours: 7 Nov (9am-7pm);
Te Hana Te Ao Marama Māori Cultural Centre,
311 State Highway 1 –
opening hours: 30 Oct (10am-7pm),
31 Oct (9am-6pm), 1 Nov (9am-6pm),
6 Nov (9am-5pm), 7 Nov (9am-7pm);
Tomarata School,
8 Pakiri Block Road, Tomarata –
opening hours: 7 Nov (9am-7pm);
Warkworth Masonic Hall,
Baxter Street –
opening hours: 27 Oct (12pm-6pm),
28 Oct (8.30am-6pm), 29 Oct (8.30am-7pm),
30 Oct (8.30am-6pm), 31 Oct (9am-5pm),
1 Nov (9am-5pm), 2-4 Nov (8.30am-6pm),
5 Nov (8.30am-7pm), 6 Nov (8.30am-5pm), 7 Nov (9am-7pm);
Warkworth PAK’nSAVE,
cnr Hudson Road and SH1 –
opening hours: 26-31 Oct (9am-6pm),
1-5 Nov (9am-6pm), 6 Nov (9am-5pm),
7 Nov (9am-7pm);
Wellsford District Community Centre,
1 Matheson Road –
opening hours: 27 Oct (12pm-6pm),
28-30 Oct (9am-6pm), 31 Oct (9am-5pm),
1 Nov (9am-5pm), 2-5 Nov (9am-6pm),
6 Nov (9am-5pm), 7 Nov (9am-7pm).
Wellsford War Memorial Library,
13 Port Albert Road –
opening hours: 28-31 Oct (10am-4pm),
4-6 Nov (10am-4pm), 7 Nov (9am-7pm).
For more options, as well as information about accessibility, go to: vote.nz/votingplaces
Te Tai Tokerau
The field standing in Te Tai Tokerau are:
Karl Barkley, Your Pic Party
Aperahama Edwards, Te Pāti Māori
Maki Herbert, Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party
Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, Te Tai Tokerau Party
Hūhana Lyndon, Green
Willow-Jean Prime, Labour
Electorate Profile
Te Tai Tokerau is the most northern of the seven Māori electorates, stretching from west Auckland and the North Shore to Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua, and overlapping 12 general electorates. It also encompasses the entire tribal territories of Ngāpuhi, Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kuri, Te Rarawa and Ngāti Kahu, as well as part of the territory of Ngāti Whātua.
Although the electorate was created under the name Te Tai Tokerau for New Zealand’s first Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) election, it has much older roots. It is one of the four original Māori electorates established in 1867. At the 2023 election, Te Pāti Māori candidate Mariameno Kapa-Kingi won the seat by defeating Labour’s Kelvin Davis.
Te Tai Tokerau candidates lay out their plans
Mariameno Kapa-Kingi said that during her nearly three years in Parliament she had focused on building relationships and creating opportunities in a district facing housing and employment challenges.
“Northland recorded the highest regional unemployment rate in the country in the June 2026 quarter,” she said.
“Māori unemployment nationally is close to twice the overall rate, and Te Tai Tokerau already has some of the highest levels of socioeconomic deprivation in the country.”
If re-elected, Kapa-Kingi said her focus during her first 12 months would be securing critical funding and resources for Te Tai Tokerau, with an emphasis on establishing Te Ture Mokopuna, proposed legislation that would require the Government and public bodies to consider the wellbeing of current and future generations when making major decisions, as well as strengthening Māori-led healthcare.
She also highlighted high rates of preventable rheumatic fever and respiratory illness, which she linked to generations of families living in overcrowded, uninsulated and damp homes.
“The current building model relies on expensive imported materials and corporate supply chains. The Mana
Taumaru Local Build Policy uses agricultural products from our industrial hemp industry to train local rangatahi to manufacture certified building panels and construct highly insulated, fireproof and mould-free homes for our people.”
“I’m standing to ensure Te Tai Tokerau has a voice at the table and the mandate to shape our own future,” she said.
Another candidate is Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party co-leader Maki Herbert, who said that, if elected, her priorities would include establishing a regulated adult cannabis market and clearing eligible historical convictions for cannabis-related offences.
“It’s an opportunity to turn an existing market into a safe and responsible industry,” she said. “We could create around 1000 jobs and generate about $84 million a year, money that could help boost the Te Tai Tokerau economy.”
She also highlighted water security as a key concern, including how water supplies are stored and managed, as well as the need for reliable, high-quality healthcare.
“We will pay health workers a wage that allows them to live with dignity and encourage them to settle in Te Tai Tokerau by offering healthy, affordable housing through the development of a local industrial hemp and hemp-based construction industry.”
Other concerns include limited access to employment and the number of young people who have disengaged from the education system because of limited local options.
“My plan is to create lasting jobs by investing in industries. I would support apprenticeships, cadetships and paid training, as well as strengthening community learning centres, Kaupapa Māori education and practical, skills-based training pathways that are directly linked to local employment,” she said.
All candidates were invited to participate in this article, but not everyone responded.
