The 2026 Greater Wellington Regional Council by-election (also known as the Wairarapa by-election) was a local by-election held on 21 August 2026 in the Greater Wellington region of New Zealand. It was prompted by the death of councillor Adrienne Staples on 20 April. Voters elected one member representing the Wairarapa constituency to the Greater Wellington Regional Council. Postal voting and the single transferable vote system was used.
Background Adrienne Staples, deputy Chair of the Greater Wellington Regional Council and councillor for the Wairarapa, died on 20 April 2026. Her death triggered a by-election to fill her seat.
Schedule Key dates related to the by-election are:
14 May 2026: Nominations open. 11 June 2026: Nominations close at noon. 20 July 2026: Postal voting begins. 21 August 2026: Election day; voting closes at noon. Progress and preliminary results will be announced as soon as possible. 24 August 2026: Estimated date of official result declaration.
Candidates CandidatesAffiliationNotesMichael Birch IndependentFarmer, businessman and environmental advocateAmber Craig Your voice. Our Wairarapa. Real actionJill Greathead None Former Carterton District CouncillorJohn Hart NoneRan in the 2026 Masterton by-electionColin Olds NoneResigned from the South Wairarapa District Council in order to runAlistair Plimmer NoneStood in 2025 election
Result With the release of the final results, John Hart was confirmed to have been elected as the regional councillor for Wairarapa for the rest of the 2025–2028 term.
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