Reuben Davidson won by 2,397 votes in 2023 — just 1,199 voters switching to a challenger would have flipped Christchurch East.
In the news
Coverage naming Christchurch East or Reuben, from our tracked feeds.
No coverage naming Christchurch East or its MP yet in our tracked feeds — this fills in automatically as outlets report on the race.
The roster
The defender's record, and who's confirmed to challenge them in 2026.
Won Christchurch East by a majority of 2,397 in 2023 — a marginal seat.
Reuben John Davidson is a New Zealand television producer and politician. He was on a Christchurch community board from 2019. In the 2023 general election, he was elected to represent the Christchurch East electorate in Parliament.
From Parliament's official bills record, as at 24 June 2026.
Members' bill in the ballot (1)
Online Safety (Duties for Providers of Internet-Based Services) Bill
Written questions to Ministers this term
What is this, and why does it matter to you? Any MP can put a written question to a Minister to formally demand information on the record — the Minister must reply, usually within days. It costs nothing and needs no debate, which makes it the main day-to-day tool MPs use to hold the government accountable between bills — especially for opposition MPs, who can't pass laws but can still force information into the open. Which Ministers an MP questions most, below, is a real, numbers-based picture of what they're actually watching on your behalf — worth comparing against what they say they prioritise.
1,258written questions asked since the 2023 election
Where it's gone — by Minister
Minister for Digitising Government
323
Minister for Media and Communications
300
Minister of Statistics
246
Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology
115
+ 274 more across other Ministers.
Recent questions and replies, in Reuben's and the Minister's own words
To the Minister for Economic Growth · 2026-07-06
"What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 29 June 2026, by title and date?"
Reply not yet due or not yet published.
To the Minister for Economic Growth · 2026-07-06
"What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 29 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?"
Reply not yet due or not yet published.
To the Minister for Media and Communications · 2026-07-06
"What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 29 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?"
Reply not yet due or not yet published.
To the Minister for Economic Growth · 2026-06-22
"What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 15 June 2026, by title and date?"
Reply: With the exception of Cabinet Appointments and Honours (APH) papers and minutes, all Cabinet and Cabinet committee papers and minutes must be proactively released and published online within 30 business days of final decisions being taken by Cabinet, unless there is good reason not to publish all or part of the material, or to delay the release beyond 30 business days. It is my view that the application of additional resources to answer this and similar questions now is not a good use of taxpaye…
To the Minister for Economic Growth · 2026-06-22
"What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 15 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?"
Reply: The list of briefings and reports received by my office from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is regularly published on MBIE's website (https://www.mbie.govt.nz/about/open-government-and-official-information/release-of-information/lists-of-ministerial-documents-by-portfolio/economic-development). It is my view that the application of additional resources to answer this and similar questions now is not a good use of taxpayer funds and therefore not in the public interest…
