Porirua voters are split into two electorates, Kāpiti and Kenepuru for the general election in November and Sam Somers, frontman for ‘It’s in the Ballot’ confirms the popular political show will be covering Kenepuru and Kāpiti among 17 Electorates with In-Studio ‘It’s in the Ballot’ shows across the North Island from Wellington to Hamilton.
“We endeavour to break down barriers between candidates and voters by providing an opportunity for candidates to voice their message on why they should be elected as an electorate MP (for their electorate).
“Voters then have a more informed chance (either in person or online from the comfort of their own home) to decide where they should put their electorate vote for this coming election,” says Somers.
The Kenepuru electorate show will he held at the Linden Community Centre, Tawa on Saturday 17th October. Doors open at 6:30pm – Broadcast Time from 7pm to 9pm
The Kāpiti electorate show will be held at the Kāpiti Impact Hub, 6 Tongariro Street, Paraparaumu on Monday 19th October. Doors open at 6:30pm – Broadcast Time from 7pm to 9pm.
Somers and Nick Hollander, Candidate Liaison will kick the series off with the show in Palmerston North.
The schedule:
Palmerston North Electorate
Venue: Square Edge Community Arts Evelyn, Rawlins Room, on Level 1(Same place as 2020, 2023 and Local Bodies 2025)
Date: Saturday 10th October 2026
Time: Doors open at 6.30pm – Broadcast Time from 7pm to 9pm
Wellington North Electorate
Venue: Khandallah Town Hall; Cornerstone Community Centre in the main hall (Same place for the Ōhāriu in 2020, 2023 and Wellington Mayoralty in 2022 and 2025)
Date: Sunday 11th October 2026
Time: Doors open at 6:30pm – Broadcast Time from 7pm to 9pm
Rangitīkei Electorate
Venue: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō (Levin Community Centre) (Same place for the Horowhenua Mayoral Race in 2025)
Date: Monday 12th October 2026
Time: Doors open at 3:30pm – Broadcast Time from 4pm to 6pm
Wellington Bay Electorate
Venue: Te Whare Hapori o Ngā Puna Waiora, Newtown Community Centre (Same place for the Rongotai Shows in 2020 and 2023)
Date: Wednesday 14th October 2026
Time: Doors open at 6:30pm – Broadcast Time from 7pm to 9pm
Wairarapa Electorate
Venue: Eketahuna Community Centre, 4 Haswell Street, Eketāhuna
Date: Friday 16th October 2026
Time: Doors open at 6:30pm – Broadcast Time from 7pm to 9pm
Kenepuru Electorate
Venue: Linden Community Centre, Tawa
Date: Saturday 17th October 2026
Time: Doors open at 6:30pm – Broadcast Time from 7pm to 9pm
Remutaka Electorate
Venue: Epuni Community Hall, 40 Mitchell Street, Epuni, Lower Hutt (Same Venue we filmed Central Ward, Hutt City Council, 2022 and 2025)
Date: Sunday 18th October 2026
Time: Doors open at 3:30pm – Broadcast Time from 4pm to 6pm
Hutt South Electorate
Venue: Epuni Community Hall, 40 Mitchell Street, Epuni, Lower Hutt
Date: Sunday 18th October 2026
Time: Doors open at 6:30pm – Broadcast Time from 7pm to 9pm
Kāpiti Electorate
Kāpiti Impact Hub, 6 Tongariro Street, Paraparaumu (Same place we did our 2023 Mana Electorate General election Show and Kāpiti Coast Mayoral Race in 2022 and 2025 Local Bodies)
Date: Monday 19th October 2026
Time: Doors open at 6:30pm – Broadcast Time from 7pm to 9pm
All candidates standing in the aforementioned electorates are welcome to appear in their electorates’ show, and can register their participation at www.itsintheballot.nz
Voters wanting to put questions to the candidates standing, can also do that at www.itsintheballot.nz or ring toll free on 0508 Ballot
Candidates who have already confirmed their attendance:
Palmerston North
● Netra Ghimire – Opportunity
● Helma Vermeulen – NZFirst
Wellington North
● Jessica Hammond – Opportunity
● Matthew Hague – ACT
Rangitīkei
● Steve Gibson – NZFirst
● Bernard Long – Green Party of Aotearoa NZ
Wellington Bays
● Julie-Anne Genter – Green Party of Aotearoa NZ
Kenepuru
● Matthew Evetts – National
● Lan Pham – Green Party of Aotearoa NZ
Hutt South
● Ben Wylie-van Eerd – Opportunity
Kāpiti
● Sophie Handford – Labour
● Penny Gaylor – NZFirst