Election 2026: Several Green MPs receive small boost but still at risk as party releases final candidate list

MPs Teanau Tuiono, Tamatha Paul and Julie Anne Genter round out the top five after the co-leaders.

Other MPs have risen slightly in the list; Steve Abel (12th, up from 14th), Scott Willis (15th, up from 16th) and Mike Davidson (20th, up from 22nd).

Former Te Pāti Māori lawyer Tania Waikato has also moved two places higher to 13th on the final list.

Bhen Goodsir, an Auckland Pride co-chair, is among those to take the biggest tumble down the list, dropping four places to 17th.

According to Sunday’s 1News Verian poll, the Green Party would have enough support to hold 13 seats. That would allow Abel to return as well as making Waikato an MP. It would not lead to Willis remaining as an MP.

However, Green Party polling had been variable in recent polls. This month’s Taxpayers’ Union Curia poll put the party’s support at 7.8%, giving the party just 10 seats.

That would spell an exit from Parliament for Abel and Kahurangi Carter, who is ranked 11th.

Final list:

Marama DavidsonChlöe SwarbrickTeanau TuionoTamatha PaulJulie Anne GenterLan PhamHūhana Melanie Lyndon Lawrence Xu-NanRicardo Menéndez MarchFrancisco HernandezKahurangi CarterSteve AbelTania WaikatoCraig Aaron PaulingScott WillisRohan O’Neill-StevensBhen GoodsirYasmine SerhanLouise HuttMike DavidsonHeather Hinemoa Te Au-SkipworthShreejan PandeyLauren CraigZephyr BrownJosh JacobsenAngela DaltonAlika WellsCarl MorganCourtney WhiteTe Whatanui Kipa Leka Taumalolo Skipwith Awhi HaengaMelody WillisPamela GrealeyAlma de AndaChris Norton

Initial list:

Marama DavidsonChlöe SwarbrickTeanau TuionoTamatha PaulJulie Anne GenterHūhana Melanie Lyndon Lawrence Xu-NanLan PhamRicardo Menendez MarchFrancisco HernandezKahurangi CarterCraig Aaron PaulingBhen GoodsirSteve AbelTania WaikatoScott WillisRohan O’Neill-StevensYasmine SerhanHeather Hinemoa Te Au-SkipworthLouise HuttShreejan PandeyMike DavidsonAsher Wilson-GoldmanZephyr BrownAngela DaltonJosh JacobsenLauren CraigCarl MorganNathan Hoturoa GrayTe Whatanui Kipa Leka Taumalolo Skipwith Alika WellsCourtney WhiteAwhi HaengaPamela GrealeyAlma de AndaChris NortonMelody Willis

Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.