Carmel Sepuloni won by 4,396 votes in 2023 — 2,198 voters switching to a challenger would have flipped Kelston.
In the news
Coverage naming Kelston or Carmel, from our tracked feeds.
No coverage naming Kelston 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 Kelston by a majority of 4,396 in 2023 — a competitive seat.
Carmel Sepuloni is the Member of Parliament for Kelston and deputy leader of the Labour Party. First elected in 2008, she served as Deputy Prime Minister in the 2023 Labour government and is now Deputy Leader of the Opposition.
From Parliament's official bills record, as at 24 June 2026.
Members' bill in the ballot (1)
Pay Transparency 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.
2,478written questions asked since the 2023 election
Where it's gone — by Minister
Minister for Social Development and Employment
847
Minister for Pacific Peoples
420
Minister for Women
419
Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment
211
+ 581 more across other Ministers.
Recent questions and replies, in Carmel's and the Minister's own words
To the Minister for Auckland · 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 Auckland · 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 Women · 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 Auckland · 2026-06-29
"What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 22 June 2026, by title and date?"
Reply: None.
To the Minister for Auckland · 2026-06-29
"What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 22 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?"
Reply: I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).
