Catherine Wedd confirmed as National’s Tukituki candidate for 2026 election

Tukituki MP Catherine Wedd will run for the seat again in 2026.

The first Hawke’s Bay candidate for the next general election has been announced, and she’s one of the current.

Mother of four and incumbent Tukituki MP Catherine Wedd has been selected as the National Party candidate for 2026.

Wedd said it was a privilege to represent Tukituki and to continue “working hard for the people and communities I care deeply about”.

Wedd said she was pleased work had started on construction of the four-lane expressway and significant hospital upgrades had been completed over the past two years.

“I’ve also been a staunch advocate for our RSE Scheme and water storage for Hawke’s Bay, and we’ve made considerable progress in these areas, with investment in water security and positive changes to the RSE scheme.

“New Zealand’s horticulture exports have hit a record high under National. We’ve cut red tape so growers can get on with the job. This means more jobs, higher wages and more opportunity for people living in Hawke’s Bay.

“I am excited to build on the progress made over the past term.”

During her first-term, Wedd has had two members’ bills drawn, with the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (3 Day Postnatal Stay) Amendment Bill giving new mothers the chance for a three-day stay in hospital after giving birth and the Social Media (Age-Restricted Users) Bill that would ban social media for all under 16s in NZ.

Wedd’s National Party ally in the neighbouring Napier electorate Katie Nimon has yet to be confirmed.

A spokesman from Nimon’s office said there was no news to share about the candidacy in the electorate as the selection process for Napier had yet to begin.

“These processes happen at different times in different electorates, so Napier’s timeline hasn’t started yet.”

Nimon isn’t the only one waiting on selection in Hawke’s Bay electorates.

A Labour Party spokeswoman said the party did not talk about its selections for electorates until they are complete, and they didn’t have anything to talk about at this time.