Ayesha Verrall Secures Labour Nomination for Wellington North

Ayesha Verrall, the Labour Party’s health spokesperson, has been officially confirmed as the candidate for the newly established Wellington North electorate for the upcoming 2026 elections. This announcement follows a weekend of strategic planning and candidate selection by Labour, solidifying its contenders in the capital city.

The contest for the Wellington North candidacy was notably competitive, featuring not only Verrall but also sitting MP Greg O’Connor and several other individuals, including Shaneel Lal, a prominent LGBTQIA+ activist, and Toby Moore, a former senior adviser to ex-Finance Minister Grant Robertson. The boundaries for the electorates have shifted significantly, with O’Connor’s previous seat, Ōháriu, being dissolved. The former Wellington Central electorate has now transformed into Wellington North, while Rongotai has been rebranded as Wellington Bays.

Labour has also announced that Craig Renney, an economist associated with the Council of Trade Unions (CTU), will represent the party in the newly defined Wellington Bays electorate.

Ayesha Verrall’s Background and Experience

Currently serving as a list MP, Ayesha Verrall has held critical roles within the government, including Minister of Health, Minister for Research, Science and Innovation, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Covid-19 Response. Her medical background includes attending the University of Otago, where she trained as a doctor, later working at Wellington Hospital. Verrall resides in Wellington with her partner and daughter.

In the Green Party, Tamatha Paul, the MP for Wellington Central, is preparing for her selection meeting on Thursday night for the Wellington North candidacy. When approached, she stated she was not aware of any contesting candidates for the position. Meanwhile, Julie Anne Genter, MP for Rongotai, indicated that the Green Party’s selection for Wellington Bays is scheduled for Wednesday, and she believes she is the sole candidate.

The National Party’s candidate selection process for Wellington North is still underway, with Nicola Willis, who previously ran in Wellington Central and Ōháriu, indicating that there have been no updates regarding the party’s choice for this new electorate.

As the political landscape in Wellington shifts, all eyes will be on how these candidates position themselves leading up to the elections. With Verrall now firmly in the race, the contest is expected to be dynamic as various parties prepare to engage with the electorate on critical issues facing the community.