New Plymouth is a New Zealand parliamentary electorate. It was first created for the 1st New Zealand Parliament in 1853 and has existed since, with one 32-year interruption. The electorate was initially called Town of New Plymouth.
The electorate is currently held by David MacLeod for National. He defeated Labour’s Glen Bennett in the 2023 general election by 6,991 votes.
Population centres
In the 1927 electoral redistribution, the North Island gained a further electorate from the South Island due to faster population growth. Five electorates were abolished, two former electorates, including New Plymouth, were re-established, and three electorates were created for the first time. At the 2014 election, the electorate's southern boundary would move south to include Ōpunake. At the 2025 boundary review, the boundary with would be adjusted to include Waitara wholly within the electorate.
The electorate includes the following population centres: New Plymouth Bell Block Waitara Ōpunake Ōakura Ōkato Egmont Village Rahotu
History The electorate was originally the Town of New Plymouth from 1853 to 1879. The name of the electorate was changed to New Plymouth from 1879 to 1896. The electorate was abolished in 1896, and was reconstituted under the same name in 1928.
Oliver Samuel, Edward Smith, Thomas Kelly (incumbent) and Charles Brown contested the electorate in the ; Samuel won the contest.
The electorate has changed between National and Labour several times, and has been represented by two Christian ministers: Rev Fred Frost and then Rev Ernest Aderman. New Plymouth is generally seen as a marginal seat.
Members of Parliament Unless otherwise stated, all MPs terms began and ended at a general election.
Key
ElectionWinner Francis Gledhill rowspan=2 William Richmond 1860 election Isaac Newton Watt Henry Hanson Turton Charles Brown Henry Sewell John Richardson Harry Atkinson rowspan=5 Thomas Kelly 1875 election rowspan=2 Oliver Samuel rowspan=2 Edward Smith (Electorate abolished 1896–1928, see ) Sydney George Smith Fred Frostrowspan=8 Ernest Adermanrowspan=3 Ron Barclayrowspan=4 Tony FriedlanderHarry DuynhovenJohn Armstrongrowspan=5 Harry Duynhovenrowspan=4 Jonathan YoungGlen BennettDavid MacLeod
List MPs Members of Parliament elected from party lists in elections where that person also unsuccessfully contested the New Plymouth electorate. Unless otherwise stated, all MPs terms began and ended at general elections.
ElectionWinner Roger Maxwell rowspan=2 Andrew Little 2024 Glen Bennett
Election results 2026 election The next election will be held on 7 November 2026. Candidates for New Plymouth are listed at Candidates in the 2026 New Zealand general election by electorate § New Plymouth. Official results will be available after 27 November 2026.
2023 election
2020 election
2017 election
2014 election
2011 election
Electorate (as at 26 November 2011): 44,973
2008 election
2005 election
1999 election
1996 election
1993 election
1990 election
1987 election
1984 election
1981 election
1978 election
1975 election
1972 election
1969 election
1966 election
1963 election
Social Credit candidate Kenneth "Ken" George Joseph Lattimer failed to lodge his name in time to contest the election.
1960 election
1957 election
1954 election
1951 election
1949 election
1946 election
1943 election
1938 election
1935 election
1931 election
1928 election
1893 election
1890 election
1869 by-election
Table footnotes
Notes
References
External links Electorate Profile Parliamentary Library