Jenny Salesa won by 7,970 votes in 2023 — 3,985 voters switching to a challenger would have flipped Panmure-Ōtāhuhu.
In the news
Coverage naming Panmure-Ōtāhuhu or Jenny, from our tracked feeds.
No coverage naming Panmure-Ōtāhuhu 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 Panmure-Ōtāhuhu by a majority of 7,970 in 2023 — a safe seat.
Jennifer Teresia Salesa is a New Zealand politician and member of the Labour Party who has served as a Member of Parliament since 2014. She was first elected as MP for Manukau East, and after its abolition in 2020 won the replacement electorate of Panmure-Ōtāhuhu. She served as a Cabinet Minister in the Sixth Labour Government as Minister for Building and Construction, Minister of Customs and Minister for Ethnic Communities from 2017 until 6 November 2020.
From Parliament's official bills record, as at 24 June 2026.
Members' bill in the ballot (1)
Justices of the Peace (Regulating Justices) Amendment 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.
977written questions asked since the 2023 election
Where it's gone — by Minister
Minister of Customs
588
Minister for Ethnic Communities
346
Minister of Health
27
Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector
7
+ 9 more across other Ministers.
Recent questions and replies, in Jenny's and the Minister's own words
To the Minister for Ethnic Communities · 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 Ethnic Communities · 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 Ethnic Communities · 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 not yet due or not yet published.
To the Minister for Ethnic Communities · 2026-06-15
"What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 8 June 2026, by title and date?"
Reply: None.
To the Minister for Ethnic Communities · 2026-06-15
"What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 8 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?"
Reply: I refer the Minister to the attached file for a list of advice that I and my Office have received in the week beginning 8 June 2026.
