Opportunity Party announces candidate list for 2026 election

<p>The Opportunity Party has revealed its candidate list for the upcoming 2026 election.</p> <p>Opportunity Party leader <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/05/31/i-chickened-out-the-biggest-hurdle-facing-the-opportunity-party/" target="_blank">Qiulae Wong</a> said the candidates are a team who have "built businesses and organisations, shaped public policy, worked alongside communities and led practical responses to some of New Zealand's biggest challenges".</p> <p>"We are standing because, like many New Zealanders, we expect better than the current political parties are delivering."</p> <p>The party said the list is led by six candidates with deep experience across business, public policy, agriculture, Māori development and environmental leadership.</p> <p>"Opportunity brings together leaders who understand the economy we need to build, the communities we need to strengthen, and the natural environment we need to restore."</p> <p>In recent polls, Opportunity has hovered just under the 5% threshold for entering Parliament, but has faced scrutiny in recent weeks on some of its policies from both the <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/27/luxon-appears-to-rule-out-national-working-with-opportunity-party/" target="_blank">National</a> and <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/28/hipkins-no-way-labour-will-support-opportunitys-tax-policy/" target="_blank">Labour</a> parties.</p> <p>On Monday, National leader Christopher Luxon ruled out working with them after the election. </p> <p>Second on the party list is deputy leader Daniel Eb standing in Kaipara ki Mahurangi, who founded an open day farm initiative and has researched how New Zealand could redesign its domestic food system. The party said Eb has also worked to strengthen the connection between urban and rural New Zealand.</p> <p>Jessica Hammond, who is running for Wellington North, is third on the list. Her work in the public sector has included transport infrastructure, health and disability policy and Māori economic development. The party said Hammond had also represented Opportunity in every election it has contested.</p> <p>Fourth is Dr Kayla Kingdom-Bebb standing in Wellington Bays. She has previously served as chief executive of WWF New Zealand and a policy director at the Department of Conservation with expertise in Treaty of Waitangi law and natural resource management.</p> <p>Eden Skipper is fifth on the list, standing in Christchurch central. Skipper brings experience in Māori development, environmental restoration and research into alternative economic futures. Skipper is also a Ngāi Tahu leader who has worked across government, community organisations and academia.</p> <h2>Opportunity's full list for 2026 election:</h2> <p>1. Qiulae Wong | Mt Albert</p> <p>2. Daniel Eb | Kaipara ki Mahurangi</p> <p>3. Jessica Hammond | Wellington North</p> <p>4. Kayla Kingdon-Bebb | Wellington Bays</p> <p>5. Eden Skipper | Christchurch Central</p> <p>6. Jodie Kuntzsch | Nelson</p> <p>7. Sarah Lucas | New Plymouth</p> <p>8. David Bainbridge-Zafar | Dunedin</p> <p>9. Holly Knill | North Shore</p> <p>10. Pāpā Wharewera | Waiariki</p> <p>11. Bianca Beebe | Southland</p> <p>12. Romeo Tevaga | Upper Harbour</p> <p>13. Ben Wylie-van Eerd | Hutt South</p> <p>14. Rachel Ward | Tukituki</p> <p>15. Naomi Pocock | Hamilton East</p> <p>16. Helen Tait | Waitaki</p> <p>17. Cody Marsh | Northcote</p> <p>18. Adam Macrae-Martin | Otāhuhu</p> <p>19. Mark Roach | Waitākere</p> <p>20. Robert Mason | Kenepuru</p> <p>21. Luke Ross | Remutaka</p> <p>22. Michael Carter | Tauranga</p> <p>23. Derrick Paul | Maungakiekie</p> <p>24. Matt Shepherd | Wairarapa</p> <p>25. Ben Lane | Māngere</p> <p>26. Chee Khiang (CK) Sng | Kāpiti</p> <p>27. Finn Liley | Rotorua</p> <p>28. Evan French | Glendene</p> <p>29. Jamie Attenborough | Mt Roskill</p> <p>30. Matthew Harris | Rangitata</p> <p>31. Sacha Haskell | Tāmaki</p> <p>32. Netra Ghimire | Palmerston North</p> <p>33. Cail Smith | East Cape</p> <p>34. Sam Plummer | Taupō</p> <p>35. Blair Smith | Hamilton West</p> <p>36. Johan Chang | Auckland Central</p> <p>37. Almo Wong | Henderson</p> <p>38. Adrian Mee | Selwyn</p> <p>39. Paul Jackson | Epsom</p> <p>40. Kevin Huang | Pakuranga</p>