Waipareira was a New Zealand parliamentary electorate that existed for one parliamentary term from 1996 to 1999. Located in West Auckland, it was held by Brian Neeson of the New Zealand National Party, who had narrowly beaten Labour's Chris Carter.
The 1996 election was notable for the significant change of electorate boundaries, based on the provisions of the Electoral Act 1993.[1] Because of the introduction of the mixed-member proportional (MMP) electoral system, the number of electorates had to be reduced, leading to significant changes. More than half of the electorates contested in 1996 were newly constituted, and most of the remainder had seen significant boundary changes. In total, 73 electorates were abolished, 29 electorates were newly created (including Waipareira), and 10 electorates were recreated, giving a net loss of 34 electorates.
The electorate includes the following population centres:
The electorate was established in the first mixed-member proportional (MMP) election in . The election was won by Brian Neeson, who had represented the Te Atatu (–1993) and (–1996) electorates previously.[2] Neeson narrowly defeated Labour's Chris Carter, who became an MP three years later in 1999.[3]
The race was closely contested with three incumbent MPs (Neeson, Carter and Jack Elder). Neeson had a 141 vote lead after the preliminary count but Carter said he was hopeful of turning around his defeat as there were 4,000 special votes still to be counted.[4] Ultimately Neeson held the electorate by the slightly lower margin of 107. Carter was subsequently employed as an electorate secretary for Labour list MP Jonathan Hunt at his electorate office in Henderson.[5] Hunt's electorate office serviced the constituents of both Waipareira and neighbouring .[6]
The electorate was abolished after one parliamentary term for the . Neeson transferred back to the Waitakere electorate and represented it for another term.
Key
| width=100 | Election | width=175 colspan=2 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Neeson | |||
| (Electorate abolished 1999, see) | |||
Members of Parliament elected from party lists in elections where that person also unsuccessfully contested the Waipareira electorate. Unless otherwise stated, all MPs terms began and ended at general elections.
| width=100 | Election | width=175 colspan=2 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laila Harré | |||
| Jack Elder | |||