Tangi Utikere won by 3,087 votes in 2023 — just 1,544 voters switching to a challenger would have flipped Palmerston North.
In the news
Coverage naming Palmerston North or Tangi, from our tracked feeds.
No coverage naming Palmerston North 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 Palmerston North by a majority of 3,087 in 2023 — a marginal seat.
Tangi William Edward Utikere is a New Zealand politician, and Member of Parliament for Palmerston North since 2020. He was the deputy mayor of Palmerston North from 2016 to 2020, being the first non-Pākehā to serve in that role.
From Parliament's official bills record, as at 24 June 2026.
No government bill in charge, members' bill passed, or members' bill currently in the ballot for Tangi this term — checked against the official record, not a gap in our data.
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.
5,739written questions asked since the 2023 election
Where it's gone — by Minister
Minister of Transport
2493
Minister for Racing
739
Minister for Oceans and Fisheries
623
Minister of Local Government
449
+ 1435 more across other Ministers.
Recent questions and replies, in Tangi's and the Minister's own words
To the Associate Minister of Transport · 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 Associate Minister of Transport · 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 Rail · 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 Rail · 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: 15 June 2026, The Treasury, Ferry Holdings – Approval to use Additional Derivatives 18 June 2026, KiwiRail, Ava Shared Path Options
To the Associate Minister of Transport · 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 titles and dates of briefings received from the Ministry of Transport are or will soon be proactively released here: https://www.transport.govt.nz/about-us/our-corporate-publications/proactive-releases/results. CAA: Ministerial Satisfaction Survey 2025-2026 (19/06/2026) MNZ: MNZ 26-015 Recreational Craft Strategy (19/06/2026)
