They are the candidates for National and Labour respectively for the Kapiti seat. As mentioned in an earlier post, the redrawing of the electoral boundaries has seen the Otaki seat abolished and instead all of Kapiti Coast, as well as Pukerua Bay, Plimmerton, Mana and Whitby become the Kapiti seat.

The Mana seat also disappears and a new seat called Kenepuru has been created consisting of Porirua and some of what is currently Ohariu.

There will also be minor party candidates and we’ll mention them next year.

Tim Costley’s media release–

Local MP Tim Costley has confirmed he will be standing once again in the 2026 General Election. “I’m passionate about our region, motivated by service, and focussed on the people who make this region so great, and finding ways to help them.

“It has been a huge honour to serve as MP, and I’m as energised and focussed as ever to continue in this special role.”

Costley says the highlight of his time as local MP has been the people he’s helped and the difference he’s been able to make locally. “I think of one woman who came to my office for help with nowhere to live. That afternoon she had keys to a new house. Transformational! I think of the man who had waited years for surgery with no support, and I was able to get him booked in. I think of the young family who needed help to secure a visa to keep their family together, or the young mum who needed some extra support that I could organise.

“Most people wouldn’t know their stories if you passed them on the street, but I’ve been privileged to hear their stories, to walk alongside them, and to see the difference a good local MP can make. I genuinely believe that one person at a time, we are changing this community for the better.”

Costley lists other key local achievements as being better healthcare and transport connections. “Through my strong advocacy, and at times fighting tooth-and-nail, I’ve secured new health facilities in Kapiti including the new permanent BreastScreen facility, better radiology, and a new health shuttle trial. In terms of transport it’s hard to beat winning a much better design for the new expressway from Ōtaki to Levin, and signed contracts for new electric trains to connect Kapiti to Horowhenua and Manawatu.”

“I care about the direction our country is heading in and what my kids, and everyone’s children, will grow up to inherit. That’s why I’m standing for National, because I believe we need a Government who can make the tough decisions that will lead us to more affordable living, better education outcomes for our children and grandchildren, a health system that delivers for our region, and safer communities.

Costley, an RNZAF pilot until elected as our MP in 2023, is the current MP for Ōtaki. He will be standing for the newly-named Kapiti electorate next year, which includes all of the Kapiti Coast and extends as far south as Whitby.

Photos:

Tim handing out free gumboots he organised for local schools and kindys

Tim on the new school crossing he organised for Taitoko School

Tim mobbed by students at Otaki College

Tim with his Youth MP Aroa al Masri

Sophie Handford’s media release–

The Labour Party has made a positive move in securing its future by selecting former Kāpiti Coast District Councillor Sophie Handford as its candidate for the new Kāpiti electorate in next year’s general election.

Handford first came to national prominence when leading a nationwide Climate protest while still a student at Kāpiti College.

“I’m really proud to be standing for Labour here at home. Kāpiti has shaped me. It’s where I learned the value of community and looking out for one another. I want our electorate to have an MP who is present, listens, and focuses on what really matters to people, says Handford who was elected as one of New Zealand’s youngest ever Councillors at age 18 and has always looked well suited to higher office.

“We can build a future where the economy works for everyone, now and in years to come. We can take real pressure off the cost of living, make it easier to get in to see a doctor, and back good jobs that give people a future here in New Zealand. We can look after our people, and papatūānuku. That’s the direction I want us to head in.

“Kāpiti is full of people who care deeply about this place. I’ll be out talking with as many locals as I can, hearing what’s working, what’s not, and where we can do better.

“Building on my experiences in campaigning and local government, I look forward to being the voice for Kāpiti in Parliament,” says Handford.

Handford was raised in Paekākāriki and now lives in Waikanae. She served two terms on the Kāpiti Coast District Council representing the Paekākāriki–Raumati Ward. Before getting involved in local government, she founded School Strike for Climate NZ and helped organise one of the biggest protests in recent New Zealand history, bringing over one hundred and fifty thousand people together across the country. On Council, she chaired the Strategy, Operations and Finance Committee and worked alongside local groups on environmental restoration, housing challenges, community initiatives and decarbonising the district.

Both Tim and Sophie are very nice people and regardless of party support we ask readers to be nice to them in turn — don’t indulge in personal attacks. —Eds