ACT unveils first 2026 election candidates

Over the past two elections, ACT has steadily grown its support, influence, and representation in Parliament. Few political commentators would have predicted that the lone ACT MP elected in 2014 would grow into a caucus of 10 MPs in Opposition, to an 11-MP coalition partner with three Ministers, including the Deputy Prime Minister.

This election will be no different. ACT is continuing to strengthen its influence standing up for Kiwi taxpayers. At a time when households are under pressure, taxpayers are asking for a Government that respects every dollar it spends, backs people who work hard, and has the discipline to fix the problems that matter.

ACT is campaigning for a strong Party Vote result in 2026 and can today announce its first tranche of 37 electorate candidates.

“These are ambitious New Zealanders from all walks of life who believe our country’s best days are ahead of us and who want to help unlock New Zealand’s potential,” says ACT MP and Board Member Cameron Luxton.

“ACT’s candidates are a true representation of modern New Zealand. They include farmers, legal experts, business owners, tradies, parents, military veterans, policy experts, teachers, engineers, and community leaders. They come from all walks of life, but they share one thing in common: a belief that New Zealand can and must do better.

“They all know that prosperity is not created in Wellington bureaucracy. It is created by people who work hard, take risks, build businesses and serve their communities. ACT’s job is to make sure Government is on their side, not in their way.

“For two years, ACT has proven its effectiveness in Government by respecting taxpayers, cutting wasteful spending, and getting the settings right so New Zealanders can thrive. The Government has not gone as far as ACT would like in some areas, but it has gone much further because ACT is in Government.

“Already this election year, we are seeing political parties from both sides taking their eye off the ball with reckless promises that risk derailing New Zealand’s recovery. ACT’s candidates will hold the line. We must stay the course, fix what matters, keep Labour, the Greens, and Te Pāti Māori out of Government, and keep New Zealand moving in the right direction.

“A Party Vote for ACT is the best way to keep the next Government focused on disciplined spending, safer communities, better public services, and one law for all. ACT is building the team to deliver the direction and discipline New Zealand needs.”

Alongside already announced candidates James Christmas in Tāmaki and David Seymour in Epsom, ACT’s first tranche of electorate candidates is listed below, with more candidates to be announced in the coming weeks. A selection of candidates have also been highlighted below.

• Northland: Mark Cameron

• Kaipara ki Mahurangi: Simon Court

• Whangaparāoa: Helena Roza

• East Coast Bays: Sam Mills

• Upper Harbour: Panos Patros

• North Shore: Karen Chhour

• Northcote: Martin Lundqvist

• Henderson: Nick Peirce

• Auckland Central: Antonia Modkova 

• Epsom: David Seymour

• Tāmaki: James Christmas

• Maungakiekie: Juan Alvarez De Lugo

• Botany: Ali Dahche

• Pakuranga: Parmjeet Parmar 

• Ōtāhuhu: Henrietta Devoe

• Māngere: Manu Singh

• Papakura: Malkiat Singh

• Coromandel: Mike McCormick

• Mount Maunganui: Cameron Luxton

• Taranaki-King Country: Ivana Jovicic

• Tukituki: Rob Douglas

• Rangatīkei: Andrew Hoggard

• Palmerston North: Bruce McGechan

• Remutaka: Nigel Elder

• Wellington North: Matthew Hague

• Wellington Bays: Nicole McKee

• Kaikōura: Tom Spooner

• Waimakariri: Ashley Bettridge

• Christchurch Central: Christian van der Pump

• Christchurch East: Toni Severin 

• Wigram: Laura McClure

• Banks Peninsula: Zachary Wellman

• Selwyn: Iain Murray

• Rangitata: Aaron Allred

• Waitaki: Sean Beamish

• Southland: Todd Stephenson

• Taieri: Robbie Byars

Upper Harbour – Dr Panos Patros

Dr Panos Patros is an experienced software engineer, researcher, and former academic with more than 18 years’ experience spanning software development, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and executive leadership. He currently serves as Principal Software Engineer at Serato, leading teams delivering products for global customers, and is Chair of Engineering New Zealand’s IT Engineers Technical Group. Previously, Panos served as Vice President of Engineering at Raygun and as Senior Lecturer and Deputy Head of the Department of Software Engineering at the University of Waikato.

Born to a Greek family and with strong ties to the Iranian-Kiwi community through his wife’s Canadian-Iranian background, Panos brings an international and multicultural perspective to ACT’s vision for New Zealand. With an engineering mindset focused on practical outcomes, meritocracy, and first principles, he is passionate about reducing bureaucracy, promoting innovation, and building a freer, tech-focused economy.

Taranaki-King Country – Ivana Jovicic

Ivana Jovicic brings more than 20 years of frontline experience in New Zealand’s health sector, currently serving as Associate Lead Pharmacist – Surgical at Waikato Hospital. Her experience spans general surgery, neurosurgery, intensive care, neonatal care, and nutrition support services, giving her a deep understanding of how the health system operates in practice.

Having worked with patients from all walks of life, Ivana understands that barriers to healthcare go far beyond race alone, often involving poverty, education, rural isolation, addiction, and immigration challenges. Originally from the former Yugoslavia, later Serbia, she also brings a personal understanding of the realities faced by migrant families and the failures of overly bureaucratic socialist systems. Ivana believes New Zealand needs a healthcare system focused on practical outcomes, patient need, and reducing bureaucracy so frontline professionals can deliver better care.

Selwyn – Iain Murray

Iain Murray is a former leading airman with the Royal New Zealand Air Force and currently serves as Principal of Hornby High School. Previously, he served as Principal of Westland High School in Hokitika, following leadership roles at Cheviot Area School, Emmanuel Christian School in Christchurch, and a year in Thailand as an Executive Principal.

With more than a decade of leadership experience, Iain has built a reputation as a strong change manager, repeatedly being brought in to turn around struggling schools. Having led major education reforms on the frontline, Iain understands how bureaucracy can get in the way of delivering results. He brings practical experience, accountability, and a strong focus on ensuring resources are directed toward measurable outcomes rather than wasted on unnecessary management layers or ideological projects.

East Coast Bays – Samuel Mills

Samuel is currently an adjudicator at the Department of Corrections and also serves as a Justice of the Peace. A barrister and solicitor of the High Court, accredited RMA hearing commissioner, and proud dad, he brings a strong commitment to personal responsibility, fiscal discipline, and common-sense decision-making.

Samuel previously served as an elected member of the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board and was well known for challenging council waste and standing up for ratepayer value. He hopes to bring that same discipline and respect for taxpayers to Parliament.

Auckland Central – Antonia Modkova

Antonia Modkova is an intellectual property lawyer, computer scientist, and Director of Intellectual Property and Innovation at Soul Machines, where she has helped build one of New Zealand’s leading AI patent portfolios across more than 10 jurisdictions. Ranked number 12 on ACT’s Party List at the 2023 election. Born in Bulgaria and brought to New Zealand as a child following the fall of communism, Antonia says her family’s experience taught her the value of freedom, democracy, and personal responsibility. Her passion for innovation, combined with frustration at unnecessary bureaucracy, led her to ACT and its vision for a freer, more ambitious New Zealand.

Wellington North – Matthew Hague

Matthew Hague is a former member of the Royal New Zealand Navy, the New Zealand Defence Force, and New Zealand Police who now serves as Director of Frontline Law, leading a team of lawyers across Wellington and Whangārei. A seasoned litigator, Matthew has represented clients at every level of the New Zealand court system, including the Supreme Court, with a particular focus on defence-related matters. Matthew also has a strong record of community service, including leadership roles within his local church and community organisations. He lives in Wellington with his wife and their twin children.

Whangaparāoa – Helena Roza

Helena Roza is an entrepreneur and digital marketing professional with more than 20 years’ experience across marketing, media, and business operations in New Zealand and Europe.

Originally from North Macedonia, Helena is also a mother of two. She began her career as a journalist and television host before becoming editor-in-chief of Macedonia’s first in-flight magazine. She is now Co-founder and Managing Director of Zeus ElectriX, overseeing business operations.