A new MP for West Coast

Maureen Pugh, the current MP for West Coast-Tasman has announced she is retiring, and Damien O’Connor the former MP has said he will not seek to stand again (but may be a Labour List candidate). This means there will be a new MP.

Maureen is a former Westland District Mayor and entered Parliament in 2016 as a List MP. She lost to O’Connor in 2014, 2017 and 2020 but beat him in 2023. She has been a tireless advocate for the West Coast, and I doubt anyone but her could have beaten O’Connor.

The seat used to a traditional red seat, and in fact was the both of the Labour Movement. Labour held Buller from 1919 to 1972 (home to Harry Holland and Bill Rowling) and Westland from 1928 to 1972.

They merged into the West Coast electorate which was also held by Labour from 1972 to 1990 when Margaret Moir won it off Kerry Burke in 1990 for the first time. Damien O’Connor won it back in 1993 and held (now with Tasman added under MMP) until 2008 when Chris Auchinvole won it for one term. O’Connor held it again from 2011 to 2023 when Pugh won it.

So there have been three one term National MPs, but otherwise a safe Labour seat. However Labour today is not the Labour of old, and I think who wins it in 2026 will very much come down to candidate quality. Also whether NZ First stand a strong candidate who might split the CR vote.

I expect O’Connor to stand for Labour on the list, but depart Parliament after the election if Labour doesn’t get into Government.