The Labour Party has released its final candidate list for the November election, with leader Chris Hipkins describing it as "one that I'm incredibly proud of".
Under the most recent 1News Verian poll, Labour was sitting on 37% which would deliver them 47 seats in Parliament if the election were to be held today.
Mana MP and finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds is the largest mover, jumping 15 places from 18 in 2023 to 3. Foreign affairs spokesperson Vanushi Walters rises 22 places to 8, and Reuben Davidson climbs 36 places from 57 to 21. Rachel Brooking moves up 12 places to 11, and transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere rises 11 places to 14.
Watch Chris Hipkins and Labour Party president Jill Day discuss the changes here.
Cushla Tangaere-Manuel, who has held the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti electorate since 2023, makes her debut on the list at 9.
She is joined by first time candidates Rakesh Naidoo, who is a police officer, at 13, unionist Chris Flatt at 20, broadcast executive Kingi Kiriona at 22, School Strike 4 Climate NZ founder Sophie Handford at 26, barrister Max Harris at 29 and Warrick Cleine at 30.
Hipkins said there was a "rich diversity of candidates" on the 2026 list.
"I'm looking forward to campaigning alongside everybody who's on this list."
He said he expected "at least 10 new people will come off the list into Parliament after the election," on top of candidates expected to win electorate seats, amounting to what he called "significant renewal" while retaining experienced hands in the existing team.
Jan Tinetti drops nine places from sixth to 15. Michael Wood, who resigned from Cabinet in 2023 over an undisclosed shareholding controversy, does not return to the list, running as an electorate-only MP in Mount Roskill. Phil Twyford falls a further nine places to 40.
Ōhāriu MP Greg O'Connor has not picked up a spot on the party list following the abolition of his electorate in last year's boundary changes. He failed to secure candidacy in the new Wellington North seat against Ayesha Verrall.
Senior Labour MP Megan Woods will not seek seek re-election in the Christchurch electorate of Wigram, opting instead to stand as a list only candidate in the 2026 general election.
The Green Party has also announced its party list.
Labour's list for the 2026 election is:
1. Chris Hipkins
2. Carmel Sepuloni
3. Barbara Edmonds
4. Willie Jackson
5. Megan Woods
6. Ayesha Verrall
7. Willow-Jean Prime
8. Vanushi Walters
9.. Cushla Tangaere-Manuel
10. Kieran McAnulty
11. Rachel Brooking
12. Ginny Andersen
13. Rakesh Naidoo
14. Tangi Utikere
15. Jan Tinetti
16. Damien O’Connor
17. Jo Luxton
18. Priyanca Radhakrishnan
19. Shanan Halbert
20. Chris Flatt
21. Reuben Davidson
22. Kingi Kiriona
23. Camilla Belich
24. Jenny Salesa
25. Glen Bennett
26. Sophie Handford
27. Deborah Russell
28. Tracey McLellan
29. Max Harris
30. Warrick Cleine
31. Ibrahim Omer
32. Anae Neru Leavasa
33. Georgie Dansey
34. Te Pūoho Kātene
35. Naisi Chen
36. Dan Rosewarne
37. Rachel Boyack
38. Helen White
39. Ingrid Leary
40. Phil Twyford
41. Arena Williams
42. Lemauga Lydia Sosene
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
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