Green Party members promote Tania Waikato ahead of sitting MPs
Wednesday, 22 April 2026
The Green Party has released its final candidate list ahead of the election, with Lan Pham now ranked 6th above Hūhana Lyndon at 7th and Lawrence Xu-Nan at 8th.
On current polling the Greens would win 11 seats, meaning MP Steve Abel would lose his seat despite climbing two spots on the list to 12.
No new MPs would enter on this polling but some non-MPs are being ranked ahead of sitting MPs, and could win a place if the Greens’ fortunes improved at the election.
This includes activist Tania Waikato, who represented Toitū Te Tiriti, the organisers of the hīkoi protesting the Treaty Principles Bill - who is ranked at 13, the highest of any non-MP candidate.
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She also acted for Te Pāti Māori at the Privileges Committee following the haka performed in the debating chamber during the Treaty Principles Bill debate.
As for newcomers, Auckland Pride co-chairperson Bhen Goodsir has fallen four spots to 17th, while former Environment Canterbury chairperson Craig Aaron Pauling has dropped two spots to 14th.
Two candidates - Asher Wilson-Goldman and Nathan Hoturoa Gray - have withdrawn their candidacies for personal reasons and are no longer on the list.
The list sees the Greens newest MP Mike Davidson up two spots to 20, and Scott Willis down one spot to 15, meaning both are unlikely to return to politics.
The final list has been voted on by all members of the Green Party following delegates voting on an initial delegate list, which was released last month.
The party has put in place a stricter process for vetting candidates which has excluded some, which led to some disquiet within the membership, The Post reported.
The tighter process was brought in following the Green Party’s torrid experience with MP Darleen Tana earlier in the term, after an investigation into allegations of migrant exploitation at her husband’s company eventually saw her forced out of the party.
It also comes in the wake of Green MP Benjamin Doyle resigning from Parliament after they received sustained death threats over a social media post.
Green Party members were given the option to vote through the initial list, or rank candidates in their preferred order.
A group of party representatives then discussed and approved the final list.
Co-leader Marama Davidson said all candidates had been through a “robust process”.
It was a “grown-up decision” that showed the evolution of the party, she said.
“We've got a responsibility and a duty of care to ensure people are prepared for the ruggedness that is this place.”
Excluded from the list was Fired Up Stilettos chair Bianca Beebe, who claimed the party rejected her due to her past as a sex worker, which the party has disputed.
As the party’s co-leaders, Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick are automatically ranked 1 and 2 on the party’s list.
In third place is MP Teanau Tuiono from Palmerston North, while Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul sits at fourth place.
Paul is no longer running an electorate-only campaign despite her success in 2023.
This could be to do with the changes in electorate boundaries seeing her up against the likes of Labour’s Ayesha Verrall.
Paul told The Post the boundary changes had nothing to do with it and it was only because she was no longer a councillor and was following Green Party convention that all candidates stand on the list.
Swarbrick said it was a unique circumstance that Paul joined the party’s caucus.
Her position as a Wellington City councillor meant it was that same voting base that elected her to Parliament.
“This time around, she's decided to also have that vote of confidence from the party.”
Lyndon and Xu-Nan have dropped by one spot, and sit at 7th and 8th respectively.
Swarbrick said returning MPs will be joined by candidates with experience in local Government, education, law, green energy, environmental expertise and community organising.
“This team has the skills, experience, track record, passion and commitment to deliver the practical change New Zealanders need to lower their cost of living, address the climate crisis and ensure we can all be proud of our country again.”
Davidson said the candidates would be prioritising the people and the planet, and included strong Māori leadership.
“This year you can count on the Green Party to be clear. You can count on the Green Party to be courageous. You can count on the Green Party to care.”