Election 2026: Act Party releases its list, Paul Henry ranking
The Act Party has released its 2026 election list, featuring former broadcaster Paul Henry in the fourth position. The list includes a mix of current MPs and new candidates as the party prepares for the upcoming election cycle.
Why it matters
The candidate list provides insight into the party's strategic priorities and the political landscape of New Zealand's upcoming election.
Former broadcaster Paul Henry has made the top five of the Act Party’s 2026 election list.
Henry, who was announced as an Act list-only candidate in July and has toured New Zealand in recent weeks holding public meetings, has been given the fourth spot.
He follows leader David Seymour, deputy Nicole McKee, and Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.
Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is ranked fifth, followed by MP Todd Stephenson, who is a parliamentary private secretary for Associate Health Minister Seymour.
James Christmas, the former National candidate and Beehive staffer who is running in Tāmaki, is placed seventh. He is replacing Brooke van Velden as Act’s candidate in the seat.
Van Velden currently holds the electorate but is stepping down from politics. Her departure, as well as that of Mark Cameron, has created two spots for new candidates near the top of the list.
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