Marginal battleground

Wairarapa

General electorate

—

days to election day

What it takes to flip this seat

Mike Butterick won by 2,816 votes in 2023. Just 1,408 voters switching to Labour would have flipped Wairarapa.

In the news

Coverage naming Wairarapa or Mike, from our tracked feeds.

The roster

The defender's record, and who's confirmed to challenge them in 2026.

Won Wairarapa by a majority of 2,816 in 2023, making it a marginal seat.

Michael David Butterick is a New Zealand farmer and politician. He was elected as a Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for Wairarapa, representing the National Party, in the 2023 New Zealand general election. In April 2026, Butterick became Minister for Land Information and associate Minister of Agriculture.

Full MP profile

Legislative activity this term

From Parliament's official bills record, as at 28 August 2026.

Government bills in charge (2)

Crown Land Legislation Amendment Bill
Public Works Amendment Bill

Battlegrounds map 2026 election

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