Green Party MP Kahu Carter has officially launched her campaign to win the Christchurch Central electorate, pledging to be a fearless advocate for Ōtautahi and positioning the electorate as a key battleground ahead of the 2026 General Election.
Launching her campaign at the historic Arts Centre, Carter was joined by supporters, community leaders and Green Party colleagues as she outlined a vision centred on affordable housing, climate action, stronger public services and community wellbeing.
Carter, who entered Parliament as a Green Party list MP in 2023, says Christchurch Central deserves strong representation that puts local people at the centre of decision-making while addressing the growing pressures facing households across the city.
She says many residents continue to grapple with the rising cost of living, housing affordability and the long-term challenges of rebuilding a modern, inclusive city. Her campaign focuses on ensuring Christchurch remains a place where families, young people and older residents can afford to live and thrive.
Carter has built her parliamentary profile through advocacy on children’s rights, disability issues, mental health, zero waste initiatives, arts and culture, and rainbow communities. Before entering Parliament, she worked in Kōhanga Reo, the Ministry for the Environment and Para Kore, supporting kaupapa Māori approaches to environmental sustainability and community development.
The Christchurch Central contest is expected to be one of the country’s most closely watched urban electorates following the retirement of long-serving Labour MP Duncan Webb. The open seat has created an opportunity for several parties to mount competitive campaigns in what has traditionally been a Labour stronghold.
Carter believes Christchurch has undergone significant transformation over the past decade and says the city is ready for leadership that prioritises people alongside environmental sustainability.
Her campaign places a strong emphasis on community engagement, with volunteers already mobilising across the electorate through local events, voter outreach and grassroots organising. The Green Party hopes to build on growing support in Christchurch while seeking to secure the electorate for the first time.
For Carter, the campaign is about ensuring local voices shape national decisions. She says communities should have confidence that their representative will stand up on issues ranging from housing and healthcare to climate resilience and social equity.
With the election campaign now intensifying, Christchurch Central is shaping up to be one of the most competitive races of 2026, as parties seek to win over voters in a city continuing to define its future after years of change.
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