Current Ōtaki electorate MP Tim Costley has confirmed he will be standing once again for National in the 2026 General Election.
The new Kāpiti Electorate extends from the top of the Kāpiti Coast to Whitby, including Ōtaki, Waikanae, Paraparaumu, Raumati, Paekākāriki, Pukerua Bay, Paremata, Plimmerton, Pāuatahanui and Whitby.
Costley, an RNZAF pilot until elected as MP in 2023, is the current MP for Ōtaki. He will be standing for the newly-named Kāpiti electorate next year.
“I’m passionate about our region, motivated by service, and focussed on the people who make this region so great, and finding ways to help them,” says Costley.
“It has been a huge honour to serve as MP, and I’m as energised and focussed as ever to continue in this special role.”
Costley says the highlight of his time as local MP has been the people he’s helped and the difference he’s been able to make locally. “I think of one woman who came to my office for help with nowhere to live. That afternoon she had keys to a new house. Transformational. I think of the man who had waited years for surgery with no support, and I was able to get him booked in. I think of the young family who needed help to secure a visa to keep their family together, or the young mum who needed some extra support that I could organise.
“Most people wouldn’t know their stories if you passed them on the street, but I’ve been privileged to hear their stories, to walk alongside them, and to see the difference a good local MP can make. I genuinely believe that one person at a time, we are changing this community for the better.”
Costley lists other key local achievements as being better healthcare and transport connections. “Through my strong advocacy, and at times fighting tooth-and-nail, I’ve secured new health facilities in Kāpiti including the new permanent BreastScreen facility, better radiology, and a new health shuttle trial. In terms of transport it’s hard to beat winning a much better design for the new expressway from Ōtaki to Levin, and signed contracts for new electric trains to connect Kāpiti to Horowhenua and Manawatu.”
“I care about the direction our country is heading in and what my kids, and everyone’s children, will grow up to inherit. That’s why I’m standing for National, because I believe we need a Government who can make the tough decisions that will lead us to more affordable living, better education outcomes for our children and grandchildren, a health system that delivers for our region, and safer communities.”