ACT has vetted and approved eight quality nominees for the Tāmaki electorate, left vacant by Brooke van Velden.

“Any of these applicants could make a fine MP,” says Leader David Seymour. “The party will now select the best of the eight to campaign for the people of Tāmaki.”

Those approved candidates seeking selection for the seat are:

• Pat Arroyo: A healthcare professional who currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for a local dental group.
• James Christmas: A barrister with a strong background in law reform and national security, senior adviser to former Prime Ministers, and former National Party candidate.
• Henrietta Devoe: An investment sales specialist and licensed real estate agent with a strong background in community advocacy.
• Antonia Modkova: An intellectual property lawyer and computer scientist specialising in innovation and AI. She was ranked at number 12 on ACT’s 2023 party list.
• Helena Roza: A small business owner, community volunteer, and media professional with a background in journalism and television presenting.
• Mike Schmidt: A social commentator, business development consultant and former general manager with international experience across the biotech and retail sectors.
• Malkiat Singh: A leadership performance coach and licensed immigration adviser, focused on supporting workforce participation.
• Paul Wedding: A local business owner with over 30 years of global experience in industrial design, engineering, and commercial leadership.

“It is fantastic to see so many high-calibre candidates putting themselves forward to join the ACT team and contest the Tāmaki seat. Brooke van Velden leaves big shoes to fill, but it is heartening to see such a strong field of candidates stepping up.

“My measure of a good local MP is ‘will they answer your phone call on a Friday afternoon, when others would rather go home? A local MP is the last line of defence for local people when it comes to problems with government and council. My longest serving constituency case is still open after a decade, we never give up.

“Brooke has proved the same in Tamaki, and we will be looking to select a candidate who will keep that promise to the people of Tamaki.

“An ACT MP always works harder, because there is no such thing as a “safe“ seat for an ACT MP. We have to prove ourselves by serving our neighbours day in, day out, and we’re proud to do it.

“Momentum is building for ACT. Like-minded New Zealanders who share our vision of higher productivity, fiscal discipline, equal rights, and greater opportunity for the next generation are putting themselves forward to deliver real change.

“In November, we can keep this Government and make it better, with a larger contingent of ACT MPs ready to deliver the real change needed to make New Zealand the freest and wealthiest little country in the world.

“The only way to elect a government that spends less of your money, cuts more red tape, and brings more common sense to government policy is to elect more ACT MPs. I’m proud that we are building a team capable of delivering exactly that.”

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