New Plymouth (New Zealand electorate)

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.

New Plymouth
Single-member constituency
for the New Zealand House of Representatives
Outline map
Location of New Plymouthwithin Taranaki
RegionTaranaki
Major settlementsNew Plymouth
Current constituency
Created1853
Current MPDavid MacLeod
PartyNational

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.[1]

The electorate includes the following population centres:

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.[2]

Oliver Samuel, Edward Smith, Thomas Kelly (incumbent) and Charles Brown contested the electorate in the 1884 election; Samuel won the contest.[3][4]

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

  Independent   Liberal   United   National   Labour

ElectionWinner
1853 electionFrancis Gledhill
1855 electionWilliam Richmond
1860 election
1862 by-electionIsaac Newton Watt[5]
1863 by-electionHenry Hanson Turton[6]
1864 by-electionCharles Brown
1865 by-electionHenry Sewell
1866 electionJohn Richardson
1867 by-electionHarry Atkinson
1869 by-electionThomas Kelly[7]
1871 election
1875 election
1879 election
1881 election
1884 electionOliver Samuel
1887 election
1890 electionEdward Smith
1893 election
(Electorate abolished 1896–1928, see Taranaki)
1928 electionSydney George Smith
1931 election
1935 election
1938 electionFred Frost
1943 electionErnest Aderman
1946 election
1949 election
1951 election
1954 election
1957 election
1960 election
1963 election
1966 electionRon Barclay
1969 election
1972 election
1975 electionTony Friedlander
1978 election
1981 election
1984 election
1987 electionHarry Duynhoven
1990 electionJohn Armstrong
1993 electionHarry Duynhoven
1996 election
1999 election
2002 election
2005 election
2008 electionJonathan Young
2011 election
2014 election
2017 election
2020 electionGlen Bennett
2023 electionDavid 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
1996 electionRoger Maxwell
2011 electionAndrew Little
2014 election
2024Glen Bennett

Election results

2023 election

2023 general election: New Plymouth
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

PartyCandidateVotes%±%Party votes%±%
NationalDavid MacLeod22,48352.31+10.5818,20842.01+12.02
Labour N Glen Bennett15,49236.04-11.4610,44224.09-24.03
ACTBruce McGechan1,9564.55+2.604,38810.13+2.19
New Zealand LoyalWarren Willetts1,7384.049422.17
Animal JusticeHamish Watkins5621.31880.20
New NationGreg Robinson2520.591170.27
Green 3,6748.48+3.89
NZ First 3,1347.23+4.98
Opportunities 8481.96+1.38
Te Pāti Māori 6171.42+0.95
Legalise Cannabis 2020.47+0.28
NewZeal 1800.42+0.23
Freedoms NZ 1490.34
DemocracyNZ 540.12
New Conservatives 540.12
Women's Rights 80.12
Leighton Baker Party 240.06
Informal votes499163
Total valid votes42,98343,335
Turnout43,335
National gain from LabourMajority699116.26+10.49

2020 election

2020 general election: New Plymouth[8]
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

PartyCandidateVotes%±%Party votes%±%
LabourGlen Bennett21,03047.50+14.9121,39448.12+14.04
National N Jonathan Young18,47541.73-10.2813,33629.99-18.62
New ConservativeMurray Chong1,3473.047651.72+1.32
ACTAda Xiao8641.95+0.863,5347.94+7.39
OpportunitiesDan Thurston Crow7451.687871.77-0.95
Advance NZRowena Wood6011.355671.27
IndependentRusty Kane3250.73
Social CreditKath Lauderdale1150.25530.11+0.10
Green 2,0444.59+0.08
NZ First 1,0012.25-5.49
Legalise Cannabis 2580.58+0.18
Māori Party 2120.47-0.15
ONE 850.19
Outdoors 400.08+0.02
Vision NZ 350.07
Sustainable NZ 200.04
Heartland 100.02
TEA 80.02
Informal votes769306
Total valid votes44,27144,455
Turnout44,455
Labour gain from NationalMajority2,5555.77

2017 election

2017 general election: New Plymouth[9]
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

PartyCandidateVotes%±%Party votes%±%
National Y Jonathan Young20,71152.01−5.7419,51748.63−7.05
LabourCorie Haddock12,97832.59+1.0313,66234.04+12.90
NZ FirstMurray Chong3,0417.633,1077.74−1.26
GreenStuart Jeanne Bramhall2,0705.19−0.231,7984.47−3.50
ACTAnneka Carlson4341.09+0.542220.55+0.09
IndependentBasil Lawrence1480.37
Opportunities 1,0932.72
Māori Party 2500.62+0.09
Legalise Cannabis 1630.40−0.18
Conservative 650.16−3.03
Ban 1080 390.09−0.06
United Future 360.08−0.10
Outdoors 260.06
People's Party 160.03
Democrats 80.01−0.06
Mana 80.01−0.69
Internet 70.01−0.69
Informal votes434118
Total valid votes39,81640,135
Turnout40,36580.68[10]+2.63
National holdMajority7,73319.42−6.76

2014 election

2014 general election: New Plymouth[11]
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

PartyCandidateVotes%±%Party votes%±%
National Y Jonathan Young21,56657.75+4.1420,96955.65+2.39
LabourAndrew Little11,78831.56−8.857,94721.10−4.72
GreenSarah Roberts2,0255.42+1.563,0057.97−1.68
Legalise CannabisJamie Dombroski7011.88+0.552180.58+0.06
ConservativeAngela Storr6331.69+1.691,2013.19+1.22
ACTLucy Gray (stood as James Gray)2050.55+0.551720.46−0.56
NZ First 3,3959.00+2.70
Internet Mana 2630.70+0.49[a]
Māori Party 1990.53−0.08
United Future 660.18−0.27
Ban 1080 570.15+0.15
Civilian 570.15+0.15
Democrats 280.07+0.01
Independent Coalition 100.03+0.03
Focus 100.03+0.03
Informal votes429128
Total valid votes37,34737,681
Turnout37,68177.51+2.06
National holdMajority9,77826.18+13.28

2011 election

2011 general election: New Plymouth[12]
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

PartyCandidateVotes%±%Party votes%±%
National Y Jonathan Young17,64453.31+5.1318,07353.26+2.79
LabourAndrew Little13,37440.41-7.478,76125.82-5.60
GreenGeoff Steedman1,2773.86+3.863,2769.65+3.23
Legalise CannabisJamie Dombroski4391.33+1.331780.52+0.05
IndependentRusty Kane3611.09-1.11
NZ First 2,1376.30+2.25
Conservative 6671.97+1.97
ACT 3471.02-2.16
Māori Party 2070.61-0.14
United Future 1540.45-0.20
Mana 720.21+0.21
Libertarianz 300.09+0.01
Democrats 190.06-0.07
Alliance 110.03-0.06
Informal votes808235
Total valid votes33,09533,932
National holdMajority4,27012.90+12.60

Electorate (as at 26 November 2011): 44,973[13]

2008 election

2008 general election: New Plymouth[14]
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

PartyCandidateVotes%±%Party votes%±%
NationalJonathan Young16,53948.1817,51250.47
Labour N Harry Duynhoven16,43447.8810,90131.42
IndependentRusty Kane7562.20
ACTChris Albers4551.331,1063.19
LibertarianzMike Webber1410.41270.08
Green 2,2306.43
NZ First 1,4044.05
Bill and Ben 3010.87
Māori Party 2600.75
Progressive 2320.67
United Future 2270.65
Legalise Cannabis 1660.48
Family Party 1410.41
Kiwi 780.22
Democrats 430.12
Alliance 310.09
Pacific 230.07
Workers Party 130.04
RAM 20.01
RONZ 20.01
Informal votes349175
Total valid votes34,32534,699
National gain from LabourMajority1050.31

2005 election

2005 general election: New Plymouth[15]
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

PartyCandidateVotes%±%Party votes%±%
Labour Y Harry Duynhoven17,51253.2012,54237.64
NationalMoira Irving12,07336.6714,83644.53
GreenSarah Brown1,1653.541,8165.45
DestinyKeren Roberts5551.692440.73
United FutureMatt Collier5391.647912.37
Māori PartyTony Ruakere3120.951480.44
ACTKerry O'Connor3010.913941.18
IndependentRusty Kane2520.77
DemocratsKevin Smith1210.37521.180.16
NZ First 2,0366.11
Progressive 2490.75
Legalise Cannabis 860.26
Christian Heritage 360.11
Alliance 180.05
Direct Democracy 150.05
Libertarianz 140.04
One NZ 120.04
99 MP 120.04
Family Rights 110.03
RONZ 70.03
Informal votes338126
Total valid votes32,91933,319
Labour holdMajority5,439

1999 election

1999 general election: New Plymouth
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

PartyCandidateVotes%±%Party votes%±%
Labour Y Harry Duynhoven22,11868.48+6.8113,61241.98+12.80
NationalLen Jury7,02621.759,48729.26-6.90
Christian DemocratsTom Smithers1,0483.246061.87
AllianceBonnie Johnstone8702.692,4257.48-2.26
ACTMoira Irving5951.841,8045.56+1.13
NZ FirstMae Neuman5151.591,2013.70-8.17
The People's ChoiceRusty Kane800.25480.15
Mana Wahine Te Ira TangataShona Eriksen250.08
Mauri PacificSharon Faloon210.07130.04
Green 1,7345.35
Christian Heritage 6782.09
Legalise Cannabis 4261.31-0.60
United NZ 1260.39-0.27
Libertarianz 1040.32+0.29
Animals First 670.21-0.02
McGillicuddy Serious 450.14-0.14
One NZ 140.04
Natural Law 120.04-0.10
Mana Māori 70.02-0.04
NMP 50.02
Freedom Movement 40.01
Republican 20.01
South Island 20.01
Informal votes464340
Total valid votes32,29832,422
Labour holdMajority15,09246.73+12.45

1996 election

1996 general election: New Plymouth[16][17][18]
Notes:

Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.
A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

PartyCandidateVotes%±%Party votes%±%
Labour Y Harry Duynhoven20,74661.67+12.709,83329.18
National N Roger Maxwell9,21327.3912,18536.16
NZ FirstHarry Slaats1,7715.263,99911.87
AllianceSue Gaffy1,2773.803,2829.74
ACTTony Huston3911.161,4924.43
Progressive GreenPaul O'Neill1810.541000.30
Natural LawBruce Sowry630.19-0.16480.14
Christian Coalition 1,6194.80
Legalise Cannabis 6421.91
United NZ 2230.66
McGillicuddy Serious 930.28
Animals First 770.23
Green Society 210.06
Mana Māori 200.06
Conservatives 190.06
Superannuitants & Youth 140.04
Libertarianz 110.03
Ethnic Minority Party80.02
Advance New Zealand70.02
Asia Pacific United20.01
Te Tawharau10.00
Informal votes205151
Total valid votes33,64233,696
Labour holdMajority11,53334.28

1993 election

1993 general election: New Plymouth[19]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
LabourHarry Duynhoven 10,481 48.97 +8.56
NationalJohn Armstrong7,35534.37-14.44
AllianceHeather Smith2,18210.19
NZ FirstLindsay Calvert1,0875.07
Christian HeritageH Starrenburgh2171.01
Natural LawBruce Sowry770.35
Majority3,12614.60
Turnout21,39985.31-0.78
Registered electors25,082

1990 election

1990 general election: New Plymouth[20]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
NationalJohn Armstrong 9,883 48.81
LabourHarry Duynhoven8,18240.41-9.11
GreenLeon Roborgh1,4257.03
NewLabourP Mepham4762.35
DemocratsHarry Alchin-Smith1790.88
McGillicuddy SeriousM B Johnston1000.49
Majority1,7018.40
Turnout20,24586.09-3.60
Registered electors23,515

1987 election

1987 general election: New Plymouth[21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
LabourHarry Duynhoven 10,320 49.52
NationalTony Friedlander9,88347.43+2.74
DemocratsK D Steele4131.98
NZ PartyBruce McCready1310.62
ValuesG A McDonald890.42
Majority3371.61
Turnout20,83689.69-3.08
Registered electors23,229

1984 election

1984 general election: New Plymouth[21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
NationalTony Friedlander 9,900 44.99 -1.49
LabourIda Gaskin9,63143.77
NZ PartyLloyd Horn1,6567.52
Social CreditGeorge McPeak6452.93-10.37
ValuesJanet Roborgh1540.69-0.59
RepublicanM J K Petrie170.07
Majority2691.22-6.32
Turnout22,00392.77+1.83
Registered electors23,717

1981 election

1981 general election: New Plymouth[21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
NationalTony Friedlander 9,649 46.48 +3.87
LabourDennis Duggan8,08238.93-3.13
Social CreditGeorge McPeak2,76213.30
ValuesJanet Roborgh2661.28-1.06
Majority1,5677.54+6.99
Turnout20,75990.94+16.23
Registered electors22,827

1978 election

1978 general election: New Plymouth[21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
NationalTony Friedlander 8,650 42.61 -6.80
LabourDennis Duggan8,53842.06
Social CreditR A Kirk2,63412.97
ValuesJanet Roborgh4762.34
Majority1120.55-8.70
Turnout20,29874.71-12.29
Registered electors27,167

1975 election

1975 general election: New Plymouth[21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
NationalTony Friedlander 10,330 49.41
LabourRon Barclay8,39540.15-10.48
Social CreditA J Swanney1,3816.60+
ValuesEdith Green7983.81
Majority1,9359.25
Turnout20,90487.00-5.13
Registered electors24,027

1972 election

1972 general election: New Plymouth[21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
LabourRon Barclay 9,429 50.63 +0.22
NationalTerry Boon8,13343.67
Social CreditA J Swanney7153.83
ValuesW P Neilson2801.50
Liberal ReformD V Hannah490.26
New DemocraticM A Pinkney160.08
Majority1,2966.95+1.44
Turnout18,62292.13-0.22
Registered electors20,212

1969 election

1969 general election: New Plymouth[22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
LabourRon Barclay 9,149 50.41 +5.93
NationalBrian Clark8,14944.90+0.85
Social CreditStuart Dickson7634.20
Country PartyClifford Stanley Emeny850.46
Majority1,0005.51+5.09
Turnout18,14692.35+3.57
Registered electors19,649

1966 election

1966 general election: New Plymouth[22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
LabourRon Barclay 8,073 44.48 -4.09
NationalBrian Clark7,99544.05
Social CreditT G Mullins1,1296.22
Majority780.42
Turnout18,14695.92-4.21
Registered electors18,916

1963 election

1963 general election: New Plymouth[22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
NationalErnest Aderman 8,535 51.42 -0.36
LabourRon Barclay8,06148.57+6.46
Majority4742.85-6.82
Turnout16,59691.71+0.05
Registered electors18,095
  • Social Credit candidate Kenneth "Ken" George Joseph Lattimer failed to lodge his name in time to contest the election.

1960 election

1960 general election: New Plymouth[22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
NationalErnest Aderman 9,063 51.78 +1.87
LabourRon Barclay7,37042.11-3.89
Social CreditKen Lattimer1,0686.10+2.02
Majority1,6939.67+5.76
Turnout17,50191.66-2.56
Registered electors19,092

1957 election

1957 general election: New Plymouth[22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
NationalErnest Aderman 8,386 49.91 -0.29
LabourRon Barclay7,72946.00
Social CreditKen Lattimer6864.08
Majority6573.91-3.69
Turnout16,80194.22+0.55
Registered electors17,831

1954 election

1954 general election: New Plymouth[22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
NationalErnest Aderman 7,780 50.20 -7.43
LabourClarence Robert Parker6,60242.60+0.24
Social CreditC A Lattimer1,1147.18
Majority1,1787.60-7.66
Turnout15,49693.67+0.67
Registered electors16,542

1951 election

1951 general election: New Plymouth[23]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
NationalErnest Aderman 8,816 57.63 +2.57
LabourClarence Robert Parker6,48142.36-2.57
Majority2,33515.26+5.14
Turnout15,29793.00-3.11
Registered electors16,448

1949 election

1949 general election: New Plymouth[24]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
NationalErnest Aderman 8,250 55.06 +3.66
LabourClarence Robert Parker6,73344.93
Majority1,51710.12+7.32
Turnout14,98396.11+0.29
Registered electors15,589

1946 election

1946 general election: New Plymouth[25]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
NationalErnest Aderman 7,426 51.40 +5.17
LabourGeorge Nimmo7,02148.59
Majority4052.80+2.40
Turnout14,44796.40-0.08
Registered electors14,985

1943 election

1943 general election: New Plymouth[26]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
NationalErnest Aderman 6,608 46.23
LabourFred Frost6,55045.83-7.22
IndependentHavelock Victor McCready6894.82
Democratic LabourLeonard Arthur Jury2992.09
Informal votes1451.01-0.49
Majority580.40
Turnout14,29196.32+0.36
Registered electors14,836

1938 election

1938 general election: New Plymouth[27]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
LabourFred Frost 6,958 53.05 +13.52
NationalSydney George Smith6,08946.43+0.10
Informal votes690.52-0.87
Majority8696.62
Turnout13,11695.96+3.91
Registered electors13,668

1935 election

1935 general election: New Plymouth[28]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
UnitedSydney George Smith 5,662 46.33 -19.70
LabourFred Frost4,83139.53
IndependentElsie Andrews7866.43
DemocratH Cave6765.53
Independent LabourWilliam Sheat2642.16-31.81
Informal votes1701.39±0.00
Majority8316.80-25.25
Turnout12,21992.05+5.34
Registered electors13,273

1931 election

1931 general election: New Plymouth[29]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
UnitedSydney George Smith 7,152 66.03 +15.23
LabourWilliam Sheat3,68033.97
Informal votes1531.39+0.78
Majority3,47232.05+18.69
Turnout10,98586.71-4.86
Registered electors12,668

1928 election

1928 general election: New Plymouth[30]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
UnitedSydney George Smith 5,577 50.79
ReformCharles Bellringer4,11037.43
LabourW G Simpson1,29311.78
Majority1,46713.36
Informal votes680.62
Turnout11,04891.57
Registered electors12,065

1893 election

1893 general election: New Plymouth[31][32]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
LiberalEdward Smith 1,782 55.07 +15.21
ConservativeRobert Trimble[33]1,29139.89
IndependentRichard Price[34]1635.04
Majority49115.17+13.47
Turnout3,23678.73+16.60
Registered electors4,110

1890 election

1890 general election: New Plymouth[35]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
LiberalEdward Smith 539 39.86
ConservativeJohn Elliot51638.16
IndependentR C Hughes29721.96
Majority231.70
Turnout1,35262.13
Registered electors2,176

1869 by-election

1869 Town of New Plymouth by-election[36][37]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
IndependentThomas Kelly5748.72
IndependentFrederic Carrington4538.46
IndependentJames Thomas Upjohn1512.82
Majority1210.26
Turnout117

Table footnotes

Notes

References

  • McRobie, Alan (1989). Electoral Atlas of New Zealand. Wellington: GP Books. ISBN 0-477-01384-8.
  • Norton, Clifford (1988). New Zealand Parliamentary Election Results 1946-1987: Occasional Publications No 1, Department of Political Science. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington. ISBN 0-475-11200-8.
  • Scholefield, Guy (1950) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1949 (3rd ed.). Wellington: Govt. Printer.
  • Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.