Team Nash · Napier
Stuart Nash
Candidate for Napier · New Zealand First
Napier born and bred. Nine years as your Member of Parliament, seven ministerial portfolios — and a whole team behind him for the unfinished business of Hawke's Bay.
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Years as MP for Napier
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Elections won in Napier
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Ministerial portfolios held
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Majority at the 2020 election
Born
1967, Napier, New Zealand
Education
Napier Boys' High · University of Canterbury — Master's degrees in Law, Forestry Science and Management
Family
Married to Sarah, father of four
Party
New Zealand First
Home
Napier — the historic 1875 courthouse he and Sarah are restoring
Legacy
Great-grandson of Sir Walter Nash, 27th Prime Minister of New Zealand
Stuart was born in Napier in 1967, into a family where public service was simply what you did. His great-grandfather, Sir Walter Nash, served as New Zealand's 27th Prime Minister — but the lessons that shaped him came from closer to home: from Napier Boys' High School, from the sports fields and streets of this city, and from parents who taught him that your word is your bond.
At the University of Canterbury he earned Master's degrees in Law, Forestry Science and Management, then built a career in the private sector — including as Director of Strategic Development at Auckland University of Technology. He learned how businesses grow, how jobs are created, and how decisions made in Wellington land on real families and real payrolls.
In 2008 he entered Parliament as a list MP, and in 2014 he won the seat that matters most to him: Napier. The people of this city elected him three times — in 2014, 2017 and 2020, the last time with a majority of 5,856 — and he carried their voice into the highest rooms in the country, serving in Cabinet across seven portfolios: Police, Revenue, Fisheries, Small Business, Economic and Regional Development, Forestry and Tourism.
In 2023 he stepped back from Parliament to put his family first. But Napier doesn't leave you — Stuart and Sarah are restoring the city's historic 1875 courthouse as their family home, and in 2026 he's standing for Napier again, with New Zealand First and the team on this page beside him, because the work this region deserves is not finished.
Born in Napier to Hal and Jenny Nash — great-grandson of Sir Walter Nash, New Zealand's 27th Prime Minister. Raised and educated in the city, at Napier Boys' High School.
Police
Backed the frontline through one of the largest police recruitment drives in New Zealand's history.
Revenue
Oversaw Inland Revenue through the biggest modernisation of New Zealand's tax system in a generation.
Fisheries & Oceans
Championed sustainable fisheries and the health of the ocean that coastal communities depend on.
Tourism
Steered tourism through its hardest years and the reopening of New Zealand to the world.
Forestry
Backed wood processing and planting programmes that keep regional New Zealand working.
Economic & Regional Development
Delivered growth investment for the provinces — including right here in Hawke's Bay — plus Small Business, 2017–2023.
Winston Peters
Leader, New Zealand First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
Founder and leader of New Zealand First and one of the country's most experienced parliamentarians — a former Deputy Prime Minister who welcomed Stuart to the party and leads the nationwide campaign he's part of.
Shane Jones
Deputy Leader · Minister for Regional Development & Oceans and Fisheries
The self-styled champion of the provinces — and, like Stuart, a former Labour minister who found a home in New Zealand First. A natural ally for Hawke's Bay's growth, from the port to the orchards.
Casey Costello
Minister of Customs & Seniors · Associate Minister of Police
A former police officer of more than two decades who now holds the Customs and Seniors portfolios — sharing Stuart's commitment to backing the frontline and safer communities.
Mark Patterson
Minister for Rural Communities · Associate Minister of Agriculture
A South Otago sheep and beef farmer turned minister — the caucus voice for rural New Zealand, from the Clutha to the pastures and orchards of Hawke's Bay.
Jenny Marcroft
MP · Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Media & Communications
A broadcaster for more than two decades before entering Parliament — bringing communication skills and a community-first ethic to the caucus backing Stuart's campaign.
Andy Foster
MP · Former Mayor of Wellington
Three decades in local government, including a term as Mayor of Wellington — hands-on experience in the infrastructure, housing and transport challenges cities like Napier face.
Door-knocking crew
Weekends · Ahuriri to Taradale
Walk the streets with Stuart and the team, meet voters face to face and hear what matters on Napier's doorsteps.
Phone & digital team
From home · your own hours
Call and text voters across the electorate and help the campaign show up online — no experience needed, full training given.
Events crew
Markets, halls & Marine Parade
Set up the public meetings, staff the market stalls and put up the hoardings that keep the campaign visible across Hawke's Bay.
Election-day team
Advance voting & election day
Scrutineer at the count, greet voters at the booths and drive neighbours who need a lift to have their say.
Our commitment
Napier made me. Everything I have done in public life has been about giving back to the place that gave me everything.
Stuart Nash · Candidate for Napier
Support the campaign
Back the campaign for Napier
This campaign is powered by people, not big money. Every contribution — large or small — goes directly to reaching voters across Napier and Hawke's Bay.
Secure online donations are coming soon. Until then, contact the campaign office to contribute.
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