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Hutt South
Single-member general constituency for the New Zealand House of Representatives
Formation1996
RegionWellington
CharacterSuburban
Term3 years
Member for Hutt South

Chris Bishop
since 14 October 2023
PartyNational
List MPsGinny Andersen (Labour)
Previous MPGinny Andersen (Labour)
Party vote distribution




Hutt South is a parliamentary electorate in the lower Hutt Valley of New Zealand. It is held by Chris Bishop of the National Party following the 2023 election. It was previously held by Ginny Andersen of the Labour Party[1]

Population centres

[edit]

The electorate is based on the southern part of the city of Lower Hutt. It was formed in 1996 from the old electorates of Pencarrow and Eastern Hutt. Hutt South consists of the southern suburbs of Lower Hutt, Petone, Wainuiomata, and Eastbourne.[2]

2014 boundary review

[edit]

Following the 2014 boundary review, Hutt South lost Naenae and a small part of Epuni to Rimutaka, in exchange for the suburbs of Kelson and Belmont. It also gained the suburbs of Tirohanga, Harbour View, Normandale, Maungaraki and Korokoro from Ōhariu, meaning the entire Hutt Valley was now covered by just two electorates (Rimutaka and Hutt South).

Since 2014, the following suburbs of Lower Hutt fall within Hutt South.[3]

2025 boundary review

[edit]

In the 2025 boundary review, Hutt South and Remutaka both shifted south-westwards, with the former taking in Newlands, a suburb of Wellington City.[4] This is effective from the 2026 election.[5]

History

[edit]

At the first MMP election in 1996, Hutt South replaced the earlier electorate of Pencarrow, which was then held by Trevor Mallard. Mallard was returned at every general election until he moved to list-only at the 2017 election.[6]

Members of Parliament

[edit]

Key

  Labour   National   United Future

Election Winner
1996 election Trevor Mallard
1999 election
2002 election
2005 election
2008 election
2011 election
2014 election
2017 election Chris Bishop
2020 election Ginny Andersen
2023 election Chris Bishop

List MPs

[edit]

Members of Parliament elected from party lists in elections where that person also unsuccessfully contested the Hutt South electorate. Unless otherwise stated, all MPs terms began and ended at general elections.

Election Winner
1996 election Joy McLauchlan
Deborah Morris[a]
2002 election Murray Smith
2008 election Paul Quinn
2011 election Holly Walker
2014 election Chris Bishop
2017 election Ginny Andersen
2020 election Chris Bishop
2023 election Ginny Andersen

Election results

[edit]

2023 election

[edit]
2023 general election results: Hutt South[7]
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Green tickY or Red XN denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

Party Candidate Votes % ±% Party votes % ±%
National Chris Bishop 19,144 44.37 +2.78 14,772 33.90 +11.91
Labour Red XN Ginny Andersen 17,812 41.28 –8.72 14,087 32.33 –22.81
Green Neelu Jennings 2,492 5.78 +3.17 6,727 15.44 +6.01
NZ First Lee Donoghue 1,228 2.85 +2.15 2,257 5.18 +2.83
Opportunities Ben Wylie-Van Eerd 980 2.27 +0.96 1,448 3.32 +1.16
ACT Andy Parkins 556 1.29 +0.56 2,493 5.72 +0.09
NZ Loyal Jordan Blane 403 0.93 244 0.74
Vision New Zealand Max Rangitutia 171 0.40
Te Pāti Māori   581 1.33 +0.89
NewZeal   215 0.49
Legalise Cannabis   147 0.34 +0.29
Freedoms NZ   99 0.23
Animal Justice   77 0.18
DemocracyNZ   53 0.12
New Conservative   50 0.12 –1.04
Women's Rights   32 0.07
Leighton Baker Party   21 0.05
New Nation   2 0.01
Informal votes 361 191
Total valid votes 43,147 43,576
Turnout
National gain from Labour Majority 1,332 3.09

2020 election

[edit]
2020 general election: Hutt South[8]
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Green tickY or Red XN denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

Party Candidate Votes % ±% Party votes % ±%
Labour Ginny Andersen 22,453 50.00 +6.21 25,159 55.14 +14.93
National Red XN Chris Bishop 18,676 41.59 -5.90 10,033 21.99 -19.48
Green Richard McIntosh 1,171 2.61 -0.61 4,301 9.43 +2.18
Opportunities Ben Wylie-Van Eerd 590 1.31 -0.60 986 2.16 -1.28
New Conservative Roger Earp 562 1.25 — 528 1.16 +0.99
ACT Andy Parkins 330 0.73 +0.51 2,568 5.63 +5.18
NZ First Mahesh Bindra 316 0.70 -1.44 1,071 2.35 -3.16
Advance NZ Mishaela Daken 302 0.67 — 309 0.68 —
ONE Edward Shanly 192 0.43 — 201 0.44 —
Vision NZ Paris Winiata 201 0.45 — 51 0.11 —
Outdoors Wilf Bearman-Riedel 115 0.26 -0.01 38 0.08 -0.04
Māori Party   201 0.44 +0.03
Legalise Cannabis   112 0.25 +0.05
Sustainable NZ   30 0.07 —
TEA   25 0.05 —
Social Credit   9 0.02 +0.01
Heartland   3 0.01 —
Informal votes 560 255
Total valid votes 44,908 45,625
Turnout
Labour gain from National Majority 3,777 8.41 +12.11

2017 election

[edit]
2017 general election: Hutt South[9]
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Green tickY or Red XN denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

Party Candidate Votes % ±% Party votes % ±%
National Chris Bishop 19,643 47.49 +5.84 17,390 41.47 −3.60
Labour Ginny Andersen 18,113 43.79 +0.31 16,858 40.21 +12.37
Green Virginia Horrocks 1,331 3.22 −5.06 3,041 7.25 −5.43
NZ First Alok Gupta 887 2.14 −0.45 2,311 5.51 −1.93
Opportunities Richard Warwick 792 1.91 — 1,442 3.44 —
Outdoors Wilf Bearman-Riedel 112 0.27 — 52 0.12 —
ACT Andy Parkins 89 0.22 −0.32 189 0.45 0.31
Independent Dorothy Frances Fox 58 0.14 —
Māori Party   173 0.41 −0.19
Legalise Cannabis   85 0.20 −0.28
Conservative   71 0.17 −3.38
United Future   31 0.07 −0.27
Ban 1080   24 0.06 −0.03
Internet   11 0.03 —
People's Party   10 0.02 —
Mana Party   6 0.01 —
Democrats   3 0.01 −0.03
Informal votes 340 232
Total valid votes 41,365 41,929
Turnout 42,309 84.26[10] +2.57
National gain from Labour Majority 1,530 3.70 +1.87

2014 election

[edit]
2014 general election: Hutt South[11]
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Green tickY or Red XN denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

Party Candidate Votes % ±% Party votes % ±%
Labour Green tickY Trevor Mallard 16,836 43.48 -5.9 10,903 27.84 -7.86
National Chris Bishop 16,127 41.65 +7.32 17,648 45.07 +4.02
Green Holly Walker 3,207 8.28 -3.24 4,966 12.68 +0.71
NZ First Mataroa Paroro 1,005 2.59 +2.59 2,913 7.44 +1.44
Conservative Gordon Copeland 858 2.21 -0.96 1,391 3.55 +1.52
ACT Grae O'Sullivan 172 0.54 -1.40 249 0.76 -2.00
Independent Jan Pajak 117 0.30
United Future Dave Stonyer 107 0.27 -0.80 136 0.34 -0.54
Māori Party   207 0.60 -0.25
Legalise Cannabis   160 0.48 +0.11
Internet Mana   281 0.37 +0.37
Democrats   11 0.04 +0.02
Democrats   11 0.04 +0.02
Civilian   19 0.04
Ban 1080   58 0.03
Independent Coalition   7 0.02
Informal votes 276 199
Total valid votes 38,713 39,161
Labour hold Majority 709 1.83 -13.22

2011 election

[edit]
2011 general election: Hutt South[12]
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Green tickY or Red XN denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

Party Candidate Votes % ±% Party votes % ±%
Labour Green tickY Trevor Mallard 15,828 49.38 +0.10 11,751 35.70 -7.09
National Paul Quinn 11,003 34.33 -2.89 13,510 41.05 +3.21
Green Holly Walker 3,693 11.52 +3.74 3,940 11.97 +4.28
Conservative Gordon Copeland 1,015 3.17 +3.17 667 2.03 +2.03
United Future Rob Eaddy 342 1.07 -1.33 294 0.89 -0.53
ACT Alex Speirs 172 0.54 -1.40 249 0.76 -2.00
NZ First   1,974 6.00 +2.50
Māori Party   196 0.60 -0.25
Legalise Cannabis   157 0.48 +0.11
Mana   123 0.37 +0.37
Libertarianz   23 0.07 -0.03
Alliance   18 0.05 -0.08
Democrats   12 0.04 +0.02
Informal votes 728 266
Total valid votes 32,053 32,914
Labour hold Majority 4,825 15.05 +2.99

Electorate (as at 26 November 2011): 43,215[13]

2008 election

[edit]
2008 general election: Hutt South[14]
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Green tickY or Red XN denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

Party Candidate Votes % ±% Party votes % ±%
Labour Green tickY Trevor Mallard 16,690 49.28 14,769 42.79
National Paul Quinn 12,604 37.21 13,057 37.83
Green Virginia Horrocks 2,635 7.78 2,655 7.69
United Future Murray Smith 812 2.40 490 1.42
ACT Lindsay Mitchell 655 1.93 950 2.75
Kiwi Camilia Chin 380 1.12 203 0.59
Libertarianz Phil Howison 93 0.27 36 0.10
NZ First   1,208 3.50 -
Progressive   305 0.88
Māori Party   293 0.85
Bill and Ben   197 0.57
Legalise Cannabis   128 0.37
Family Party   83 0.24
Pacific   63 0.18
Alliance   45 0.13
Workers Party   12 0.03
RAM   8 0.02
Democrats   7 0.02
RONZ   3 0.01
Informal votes 414 157
Total valid votes 33,869 34,512
Labour hold Majority 4,086


Note: lines coloured beige denote the winner of the electorate vote. Lines coloured pink denote a candidate elected to Parliament from their party list.

2005 election

[edit]
2005 general election: Hutt South[14]
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Green tickY or Red XN denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

Party Candidate Votes % ±% Party votes % ±%
Labour Green tickY Trevor Mallard 16,125 50.02 15,534 47.54
National Rosemarie Thomas 10,385 32.21 11,464 35.09
United Future Murray Smith 1,905 5.91 974 2.85
Green Paul Bruce 1,719 5.33 1,831 5.60
NZ First Howard Levarko 698 2.17 1,262 3.86
ACT Lindsay Mitchell 579 1.80 420 1.29
Destiny David Knight 335 1.04 181 0.55
Māori Party Maraea Ropata 322 1.00 193 0.59
Independent Jack McSeveny 106 0.33
Libertarianz Phil Howison 64 0.20 21 0.06
Progressive   337 1.03
Legalise Cannabis   77 0.24
Alliance   27 0.08
Christian Heritage   21 0.06
Family Rights   11 0.03
Democrats   9 0.03
99 MP   7 0.02
Direct Democracy   4 0.01
One NZ   4 0.01
RONZ   3 0.01
Informal votes 307 144
Total valid votes 32,238 32,673
Labour hold Majority 5,740

2002 election

[edit]
2002 general election: Hutt South
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Green tickY or Red XN denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

Party Candidate Votes % ±% Party votes % ±%
Labour Green tickY Trevor Mallard 14,834 49.09 -5.77 13,985 45.40 +3.22
National Richard Townley 7,063 23.37 5,718 18.56 -11.67
United Future Murray Smith 2,910 9.63 2,700 8.76
ACT Christopher Milne 2,033 6.73 +3.06 2,474 8.03 +1.52
Green Perce Harpham 1,726 5.71 1,980 6.43 +1.85
Alliance Anna Sutherland 581 1.92 462 1.50 -6.17
Progressive Ross Weddell 566 1.87 562 1.82
Christian Heritage Dennis John Bartlett 508 1.68 362 1.18 -0.80
NZ First   2,139 6.94 +4.48
ORNZ   223 0.72
Legalise Cannabis   167 0.54 -0.60
One NZ   22 0.07 +0.04
Mana Māori   12 0.04 +0.02
NMP   1 0.00 -0.02
Informal votes 508 117
Total valid votes 30,221 30,807
Labour hold Majority 7,771 25.72 -2.29

1999 election

[edit]
1999 general election: Hutt South
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Green tickY or Red XN denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

Party Candidate Votes % ±% Party votes % ±%
Labour Green tickY Trevor Mallard 17,404 54.86 +9.87 13,502 42.18 +8.30
National Clare Radosmke 8,519 26.85 9,678 30.23 -3.42
ACT Christopher Milne 1,165 3.67 +1.48 2,085 6.51 +1.38
Alliance Gordon Parr 1,124 3.54 2,454 7.67 -2.89
Green Cliff Mason 1,068 3.37 1,465 4.58
Christian Heritage Rosemarie Thomas 785 2.47 633 1.98
Christian Democrats David Ogden 498 1.57 564 1.76
NZ First Edwin Perry 482 1.52 786 2.46 -5.88
McGillicuddy Serious Jonat Warton 211 0.67 49 0.15 -0.17
Independent Lois McInnes 180 0.57
United NZ Frank Owen 178 0.56 -0.15 201 0.63 -0.88
Natural Law Jon Muller 61 0.19 24 0.07 +0.03
Mauri Pacific Richard Waitai 49 0.15 19 0.06
Legalise Cannabis   365 1.14 -0.08
Libertarianz   88 0.27 +0.24
Animals First   57 0.18 -0.01
One NZ   10 0.03
The People's Choice   8 0.02
Mana Māori   7 0.02 -0.01
NMP   7 0.02
Republican   5 0.02
South Island   4 0.01
Freedom Movement   0 0.00
Informal votes 579 292
Total valid votes 31,724 32,011
Labour hold Majority 8,885 28.01 +20.13

1996 election

[edit]
1996 general election: Hutt South[15][16][17]
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Green tickY or Red XN denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

Party Candidate Votes % ±% Party votes % ±%
Labour Trevor Mallard 14,023 44.99 10,633 33.88
National Joy McLauchlan 11,567 37.11 10,562 33.65
Alliance Peter Love 2,125 6.82 3,314 10.56
NZ First Deborah Morris 2,042 6.55 2,618 8.34
ACT Christopher Milne 684 2.19 1,609 5.13
McGillicuddy Serious Alastair McGlinchy 228 0.73 102 0.32
United NZ Frank Owen 222 0.71 473 1.51
Superannuitants & Youth Jack Powell 163 0.52 53 0.17
Natural Law Angela Slade 65 0.21 14 0.04
Independent Brian Russell 53 0.17
Christian Coalition   1,443 4.60
Legalise Cannabis   382 1.22
Animals First   61 0.19
Progressive Green   47 0.15
Asia Pacific United 21 0.07
Green Society   15 0.05
Ethnic Minority Party 14 0.04
Libertarianz   10 0.03
Mana Māori   9 0.03
Conservatives   4 0.01
Advance New Zealand 2 0.01
Te Tawharau 1 0.00
Informal votes 338 123
Total valid votes 31,172 31,387
Labour win new seat Majority 2,456 7.88

Table footnotes

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Hutt South

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Hutt South is a general electorate in New Zealand's , encompassing suburban and urban areas in the southern portion of city within the , including localities such as , Alicetown, and Belmont. The electorate elects a single (MP) via alongside the mixed-member proportional (MMP) system. Since the 2023 general election, Hutt South has been held by of the National Party, who serves as Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, RMA Reform, and Transport, marking the first time a National candidate has won the seat in its history. Prior to 2023, the electorate was a consistent Labour stronghold, represented for decades by figures such as , who served as Speaker of the House from 2017 to 2022. Boundary adjustments in recent reviews, including those finalized for the 2026 election, have refined its contours to account for population shifts while maintaining focus on Lower Hutt's working-class and industrial communities. The area's demographics feature a mix of European, , and Pacific peoples, with key economic drivers including manufacturing, retail, and proximity to Wellington's employment hubs.

Geography

Population centres

The Hutt South electorate encompasses urban population centres primarily within the area of the , focusing on the southern sections south of the main Hutt River. The predominant centre is , which includes the city's and adjacent residential and commercial suburbs such as Alicetown, Fairfield, and , forming a densely populated urban core with key administrative and retail functions. Petone stands as a significant secondary centre, situated at the mouth of the Hutt River along Wellington Harbour, historically established as New Zealand's first planned European settlement in and now featuring port-related industries, waterfront recreation, and suburban housing. Seaview, an adjacent industrial suburb, hosts , , and employment hubs tied to the nearby and rail networks, contributing to the electorate's economic base alongside residential pockets. Additional centres include Maungaraki, a hillside residential suburb with views over the valley, and Gracefield, known for research and light industrial activities. Boundary revisions gazetted in August 2025 incorporated Newlands, a northern suburb previously under Wellington City Council, adding further residential density and integrating it with Grenada Village and Grenada North areas. These centres collectively support a mix of housing, employment, and transport links, with Lower Hutt and Petone accounting for the bulk of the electorate's approximately 50,000 enrolled voters as of 2023.

Physical and urban features

The Hutt South electorate lies within the Valley, encompassing flat alluvial floodplains formed by the Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River, which originates in the southern Tararua Ranges and extends approximately 55 kilometres southward to Wellington Harbour. The valley floor provides fertile, low-lying terrain averaging elevations below 50 metres, flanked by steeper escarpments and ridges of the surrounding Tararua and Remutaka Ranges, which rise to over 1,000 metres and channel rainfall runoff into the plain. This contributes to recurrent risks, with the flat gradient impeding drainage during heavy precipitation events from the encompassing hills. Urban features centre on the city of , a densely developed satellite to with a mix of low-rise residential suburbs, commercial hubs, and industrial estates, including the Seaview precinct known for manufacturing and logistics. Infrastructure includes extensive stopbanks and flood control measures along the riverbanks, pedestrian and cycle paths such as the Hutt River Trail traversing sealed and gravel surfaces, and harbourside areas in supporting port-related activities. The electorate's urban form reflects post-1840s settlement patterns on cleared floodplains, with ongoing development constrained by seismic risks from underlying greywacke-argillite and proximity to fault lines.

Boundaries

Current boundaries post-2025 review

The Representation Commission finalised the boundaries for Hutt South on 7 August 2025, with the changes gazetted effective from 8 August 2025 for use in the 2026 general election. Post-review, Hutt South encompasses the bulk of Lower Hutt city, including suburbs such as Avalon, Naenae, Taita, Stokes Valley, Seaview, Gracefield, Waterloo, and Taitā, along with Petone and Wainuiomata. It extends partially into Upper Hutt with areas like Kelson, Pinehaven, Silverstream, and Trentham, while incorporating eastern Newlands from Wellington city, marking a south-westward shift from prior configurations. Geographically, the electorate follows the Hutt River and Wainuiomata River westward, borders Wellington Harbour to the south with coastal features from to Days Bay ferry terminals, and abuts the Remutaka Forest Park and Belmont Regional Park to the east and north. This adjustment addresses post-2023 by integrating eastern Newlands, previously in Rongotai, to balance electorate quotas of approximately 57,000 electors each.

Historical boundary reviews

The Hutt South electorate was established by the Representation Commission as part of the electoral redistribution for the 1996 general election, the first under , which increased the number of general electorates to 65 and redefined boundaries to reflect population distribution following the 1991 census. The initial boundaries encompassed most of south of the Hutt River, including suburbs such as , Alicetown, and Belmont, extending westward to the City limits and eastward to the Rimutaka Ranges foothills, replacing portions of the pre-existing Hutt and Onslow electorates. Subsequent boundary reviews by the Representation Commission, conducted after each to maintain approximate equality of electorate populations (with a tolerance of ±5% of the national quotient), resulted in incremental adjustments to Hutt South's boundaries. The 2002 review (effective 2002 election) made minor tweaks to northern limits along the Hutt River to balance growth with Hutt North. The 2007 review (effective 2008) adjusted western edges near Wellington's suburbs to account for urban expansion. The 2013 review (effective 2014 election) involved small population transfers, such as refining borders with Remutaka to address local shifts, without major territorial alterations. The review (effective 2020 election) similarly focused on fine-tuning for demographic balance, affecting 30 general electorates nationwide but preserving Hutt South's core as the Valley. These changes prioritized numerical equity over community ties, as mandated by the Electoral Act 1993, though objections often highlighted disruptions to local identities.

Demographics and economy

Population and socioeconomic profile

The Hutt South electorate, encompassing southern suburbs of such as , Alicetown, and Belmont, is predominantly urban and suburban in character, with a usually resident population aligned closely to that of City at 107,562 as recorded in the 2023 census. Electoral enrolment statistics indicate high participation rates among working-age and older residents, with over 90% enrolment in age groups 45 and above as of September 2025. The median age in City stands at 37.5 years, reflecting a balanced demographic with significant family-oriented households. Ethnic diversity is prominent, with 64.3% identifying as European, 19.6% as , 12.2% as Pacific peoples, and 18.6% as Asian in the 2023 data for City, noting that individuals may identify with multiple groups. This composition underscores a multicultural profile influenced by historical migration patterns and proximity to , though specific electorate-level breakdowns require aggregation of small-area census data. Socioeconomically, the area features a household income of $110,100, with dominated by full-time roles at 55.4% of the working-age and an rate of 3.1%. personal incomes vary by age, reaching $63,300 for those 30-64 years old. However, indicators of deprivation, such as the Hutt Valley's deprivation rank of 3700 (worse than the national of 2979), highlight pockets of linked to lower incomes and limited access to services in certain suburbs. These metrics position Hutt South as a mixed-income electorate, with strengths in stability but challenges in equitable resource distribution compared to national averages.

Economic activities and challenges

The economy of Hutt South, encompassing urban and semi-industrial areas of such as and central suburbs, relies on a mix of , , , retail, and professional services, bolstered by its proximity to for commuting workers. remains prominent, particularly in 's historic industrial zones, supporting innovation in and , while goods-producing industries account for 23.1% of , exceeding the national average of 20.3%. , anchored by facilities like , is a leading employer, with hospitals comprising 3.7% of total jobs as of 2021. Overall, City's GDP stands at $8.121 billion, with 54,578 filled jobs and productivity of $148,793 per job. Recent trends show a contraction, with GDP declining 2.2% annually to June 2025 amid national economic pressures, following peaks of 7.3% growth in the year to December 2021. Employment dropped 1.9% year-on-year, with losses in construction, administration, and professional services partially offset by gains in health care, utilities, and education; residential consents fell 26%, reflecting subdued activity. Tourism supports ancillary spending, with guest nights up 10% annually, though consumer expenditure decreased 4.0%. Key challenges include ageing infrastructure demanding significant investment, historic underfunding, and pressures from , exacerbating and strains. Housing affordability and supply shortages persist, despite upzoning efforts, compounded by low-density zoning legacies and a 2023 economic downturn. Cost-of-living pressures and a softening labour market, with rising above prior lows of 3.7%, hinder household spending and big-ticket items. adaptation and transitioning to low-emissions sectors add long-term demands on businesses and .

History

Establishment of the electorate

The Hutt South electorate was established by the Representation Commission under the provisions of the Electoral Act 1993, which implemented mixed-member proportional (MMP) representation following a 1993 binding referendum approving the change from the first-past-the-post system. This reform reduced general electorate seats to 65 from 95, requiring a comprehensive nationwide boundary redistribution to achieve population quotas of approximately 27,000 voters per electorate, calculated from the 1991 census. Hutt South was delineated to cover the lower Hutt Valley's urban core, primarily absorbing the southern areas of the abolished Eastern Hutt electorate (which had existed from to 1996) and portions of the former Onslow electorate, including suburbs such as , Seaview, Gracefield, and eastern extending to . The new boundaries emphasized geographic cohesion around the Hutt River's southern reaches, excluding northern rural extensions previously in Eastern Hutt to balance urban density with the MMP quota requirements. The electorate's inaugural contest occurred at the 12 October 1996 , the first under MMP, where Labour's secured victory with 45.3% of the vote against National's Gary Knapp. This establishment reflected broader efforts to adapt electorate maps to post-war suburban growth in the , ensuring representation aligned with contemporary population distributions rather than historical rural-urban divides. Subsequent periodic reviews by the Commission have adjusted boundaries incrementally, but the 1996 configuration laid the foundational urban focus persisting into later decades. Hutt South electorate was established ahead of the general election under New Zealand's system and has since been characterized by strong Labour Party support in its early years, transitioning to greater competitiveness reflecting national political shifts. Labour's won the seat in with a substantial margin, securing re-election in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008, and 2011, often by comfortable majorities that underscored the area's working-class demographics and proximity to Wellington's employment base. Margins began narrowing for Labour in the 2010s amid economic recovery under the National-led government and voter realignment. In the 2014 election, retained the seat but by a slim lead of approximately 1,200 votes over National's candidate, signaling vulnerability in an electorate with a mix of suburban and industrial voters sensitive to costs and issues. Following 's decision to contest the party list rather than the electorate in to pursue the Speaker role, National's captured Hutt South with 1,530 votes majority over Labour's , aligning with National's nationwide party vote lead of 44.4% to Labour's 36.9%. The 2020 election marked a reversal, with reclaiming the seat for Labour amid a broader "red tide" that saw the party flip 15 National-held electorates, including Hutt South, by a narrow margin consistent with Labour's 50% nationwide party vote share driven by pandemic response factors. This swing back highlighted the electorate's qualities, where local outcomes have mirrored national trends since the mid-2010s, with party vote splits often favoring the government of the day by small differentials. Pre-2023, averaged around 84%, with electorate results influenced by issues like transport links to and affordability pressures in the .

Representatives

Members of Parliament

The Hutt South electorate, established for the , has primarily been held by Labour Party MPs until recent shifts. of the Labour Party served as the inaugural representative from to 2017, winning successive elections in this Labour stronghold. In the 2017 general election, of the National Party became the first non-Labour MP to win the seat, securing 19,643 votes against Ginny Andersen's 18,113 for a majority of 1,530. Bishop held the electorate until the 2020 election, when Andersen reclaimed it for Labour amid a broader Labour surge that flipped several National seats. Andersen represented Hutt South from 2020 to 2023. regained the seat in the 2023 with 19,144 votes to Andersen's 17,812, achieving a majority of 1,332 and marking the first National hold since 2017. As of October 2025, continues to serve as the MP for Hutt South.
TermMPParty
1996–2017Labour
2017–2020National
2020–2023Labour
2023–presentNational

Associated list MPs and their roles

Under New Zealand's system, list MPs elected from party lists may become associated with particular electorates through unsuccessful candidacy there or by undertaking constituent servicing on behalf of their party in that area. For Hutt South, two prominent figures have served in this capacity. entered as a National Party in 2014 and held that status until winning the Hutt South electorate seat in the 2023 general election, with interim periods as the electorate MP from 2017 to 2020 following boundary changes affecting his candidacy. During his list MP tenures, served as National's spokesperson for and infrastructure, and as critic for the government's response, among other select committee roles. Ginny Andersen was elected as a Labour Party list MP in 2017, won the Hutt South seat in 2020, and returned to list status after the 2023 election loss while maintaining a base in the electorate for opposition duties. In her current list role, she acts as Labour's opposition spokesperson for police, jobs and incomes, and negotiations, and sits on the Justice select committee.

Electoral history

Hutt South has historically favored the Labour Party, with Trevor Mallard representing the electorate from its creation in 1996 until 2017, often securing comfortable majorities such as 3,632 votes in 2008. However, margins narrowed in subsequent elections, signaling growing competitiveness. In 2014, Mallard retained the seat for Labour by a slim 709 votes against National's Chris Bishop. The electorate flipped to National in 2017 when defeated Labour's by 1,530 votes, aligning with National's national swing amid economic stability under the incumbent government. Labour reclaimed it in 2020, with winning by 3,777 votes over , reflecting Labour's landslide amid the response. recaptured the seat in 2023 by 1,332 votes, coinciding with National's party vote lead of 33.89% in the electorate and broader voter dissatisfaction with Labour's extended governance. These results indicate a trend toward marginal status, with candidate vote margins under 4,000 votes since 2014 and alternating party control in the last three elections, contrasting earlier Labour dominance. Party vote shares have mirrored national trends, with Labour peaking at 54.8% in before National's resurgence.
Election YearWinnerPartyMajority (votes)Runner-up
2023National1,332Ginny Andersen (Labour)
Labour3,777 (National)
2017National1,530Ginny Andersen (Labour)
2014Labour709 (National)

2023 election

The 2023 New Zealand general election occurred on 14 October 2023, with Hutt South serving as a competitive electorate where the National Party candidate Chris Bishop ousted the incumbent Labour Party MP Ginny Andersen. Bishop secured 19,144 votes, representing approximately 43.95% of the electorate vote, while Andersen received 17,812 votes at about 40.88%, resulting in a narrow majority of 1,332 votes for Bishop. Other candidates included Neelu Jennings (Green Party) with 2,492 votes, Lee Donoghue (New Zealand First) with 1,228 votes, Ben Wylie-van Eerd (The Opportunities Party) with 980 votes, Jordan Blake (New Zealand Loyal) with 403 votes, Andy Parkins (ACT New Zealand) with 556 votes, and independent Max Rangitutia with 171 votes.
CandidatePartyVotesPercentage
National Party19,14443.95%
Labour Party17,81240.88%
Neelu Jennings2,4925.72%
1,2282.82%
Ben Wylie-van EerdThe Opportunities Party9802.25%
Andy Parkins5561.28%
Jordan BlakeNew Zealand Loyal4030.92%
Max RangitutiaIndependent1710.39%
Total electorate votes cast were 43,576, with a turnout of 81.12%. In the party vote, National led narrowly with 14,772 votes (33.89%), ahead of Labour's 14,087 votes (32.32%), followed by the at 6,727 votes (15.44%). This outcome reflected a swing towards National amid national trends favoring the party, marking the first time since that Hutt South returned a National MP. The close party vote margins underscored the electorate's status, where local and national economic concerns influenced voter preferences.

2020 election

In the held on 17 October 2020, Labour Party candidate retained the Hutt South electorate seat with 22,453 votes, defeating National Party's who received 18,676 votes, resulting in a of 3,777 votes. Total electorate votes cast numbered 45,880. The contest was notably competitive, with preliminary counts showing a tight margin that fluctuated throughout election night. Candidate results were as follows:
CandidatePartyVotesPercentage
Labour Party22,45348.9%
Chris BishopNational Party18,67640.7%
Richard McIntosh1,1712.6%
Ben Wylie-van EerdThe Opportunities Party5901.3%
Roger EarpNew Conservative5621.2%
Mahesh Bindra Party3160.7%
Mishaela DakenAdvance NZ3020.7%
Andy Parkins3300.7%
Paris WiniataVision New Zealand2010.4%
Edward ShanlyONE Party1920.4%
Wilf Bearman-RiedelNZ Outdoors Party1150.3%
Percentages calculated from total votes cast; minor discrepancies due to rounding. Party vote in the electorate favored Labour with 25,159 votes (54.8%), significantly ahead of National's 10,033 votes (21.9%), followed by the at 4,301 votes. This outcome reflected broader national trends where Labour secured a , though Hutt South's reduced majority compared to 2017 indicated localized National gains amid a polarized campaign focused on response and economic recovery. Official results were declared on 6 November 2020 following special votes.

Political significance

Bellwether characteristics

Hutt South exhibits characteristics primarily through its party vote patterns, which have closely mirrored national trends since the electorate's creation in 1996. The party securing the highest party vote share in Hutt South has aligned with the nationwide party vote winner in every from 1999 to 2023, with only a narrow discrepancy of fewer than 100 votes in 1996. This consistency positions it as an indicator of broader voter preferences under New Zealand's mixed-member proportional (MMP) system, where party votes determine parliamentary composition and potential. The electorate's representativeness arises from its socioeconomic and geographic diversity in the Valley, blending urban centers like with suburban and semi-rural communities such as and . This mix, coupled with rapid population growth and a demographic profile reflecting national shifts—including middle-class families, commuters to , and evolving ethnic compositions—enables Hutt South to capture average Kiwi sentiments on economic, housing, and infrastructure issues. Quantitative analyses reinforce this, showing Hutt South's party vote deviations from national averages among the lowest in the country; for instance, in the 2014 election, it ranked sixth with a summed squared deviation of 18 points across parties. Recent electorate vote margins further exemplify its marginal status and sensitivity to national swings: National's defeated Labour incumbent by approximately 4 points in 2017 (1,509 votes), Labour's reversed this with an 8-point win (3,777 votes) in 2020, and Bishop reclaimed the seat in 2023 by 1,332 votes amid National's national resurgence. Such volatility underscores Hutt South's role as a litmus test for centre-left versus centre-right dominance, though MMP dynamics mean electorate outcomes alone do not dictate governments.

Local issues and policy impacts

Housing affordability and supply shortages have been persistent challenges in Hutt South, driven by rapid and limited land availability in the area. Local research indicates declining affordability for both renters and buyers, with insufficient greenfield development and a narrow range of types exacerbating the issue. In response, Hutt City Council implemented reforms from the late 2010s, including upzoning to permit higher-density developments such as low-rise apartments and terraced near transport hubs, schools, and amenities. These changes, studied in peer-reviewed analysis, resulted in a measurable increase in construction, contributing to New Zealand's broader success in boosting supply and modestly improving affordability without the sharp price drops sometimes predicted by critics. However, property values in upzoned areas rose post-reform, reflecting market dynamics where regulatory easing enabled development but did not fully offset demand pressures from Wellington's regional growth. Transport infrastructure, particularly commuter rail on the Hutt Valley Line, faces reliability and capacity constraints that affect daily commutes to Wellington. Frequent disruptions, including cancellations due to weather events like severe winds in October 2025 and signal failures, have compounded frustrations for residents reliant on Metlink services. Policy efforts, such as KiwiRail's post-2023 interventions to address speed restrictions and network bottlenecks, aimed to stabilize operations, but ongoing issues like priority conflicts with Wairarapa services highlight underinvestment in rail expansion amid projected 74% regional growth along key lines. The $700 million RiverLink project, advancing as of 2025 with Environment Court approvals for resource consents, integrates flood protection with transport upgrades, including potential rail enhancements, to mitigate these pressures over the long term. Flooding risks from the Hutt River remain a critical environmental concern, with the valley's stopbank system protecting against high-water events but vulnerable to intensified rainfall under variability. The Hutt River Management Plan, a 40-year framework updated periodically, employs strategies like structural reinforcements (e.g., stopbanks and detention reservoirs) and non-structural measures to reduce inundation effects across the electorate. Implementation has prevented widespread damage in recent events, though concerns persist over aging infrastructure and the need for adaptive planning amid heavier Tararua Range downpours. Proposed National Environmental Standards have introduced additional consenting requirements for developments on historic sites, prompting local regulatory pushback but aiming to balance growth with hazard mitigation.

References

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