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Safe battleground

Taupō

General electorate

—
days to election day
What it takes to flip this seat
Louise Upston
?

Louise Upston won by 16,505 votes in 2023 — 8,253 voters switching to a challenger would have flipped Taupō.

In the news

Coverage naming Taupō or Louise, from our tracked feeds.

No coverage naming Taupō 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 Taupō by a majority of 16,505 in 2023 — a safe seat.

Louise Upston is the Member of Parliament for Taupō. First elected in 2008, she is Leader of the House and Minister for Social Development and Employment, with further portfolios including Tourism and Hospitality and Disability Issues.

Full MP profile
What Louise has prioritised this term

Official roles, sourced from parliament.nz.

Spokesperson roles
  • Leader of the House
  • Minister for Social Development and Employment
  • Minister for Child Poverty Reduction
  • Minister for Disability Issues
  • Minister for Tourism and Hospitality
  • Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector
Select committees
  • Business
  • Standing Orders
Legislative activity this term

From Parliament's official bills record, as at 24 June 2026.

Government bills in charge (12)
  • Social Security (Modernisation) Amendment Bill
  • Disability Support Services Bill
  • Social Security (Jobseeker Support and Accommodation Supplement) Amendment Bill
  • Regulatory Systems (Social Security) Amendment Bill (No 2)
  • Social Security (Accident Compensation and Calculation of Weekly Income) Amendment Bill
  • Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Legislation Amendment Bill
Battlegrounds map2026 election

2023 result and margin: Electoral Commission. 2026 candidates are added only once officially confirmed — never assumed.