National has selected lawyer and community leader Karunā Muthu to stand in the Wellington Bays electorate.

Mr Muthu has worked in business and investment strategy for most of his career. He was National’s candidate for the former Rongotai electorate in 2023.

“National is fixing the basics and building the future,” Mr Muthu says.

“The National-led Government has stopped wasteful spending which has slowed price increases and lowered interest rates, meaning average mortgage repayments for Kiwi are down by as much as $10,000. This is real cost of living relief for Wellingtonians.

“However, families in Wellington Bays will be asking how the war in Iran could impact them. While we cannot control the conflict, we can control our response, and thanks to National’s careful economic management we are in the best position in years to deal with any potential economic shock.

Mr Muthu has also been focused on ensuring that Wellingtonians feel safe in their communities.

“Three years ago, I spoke about the major increase in crime under the last Labour Government. Now, I am proud to say that there are 49,000 fewer victims of violent crime, ram raids have reduced by 85 per cent and there has been a 22 per cent reduction in serious repeat youth offending.

“I have been a Wellington local for more than 25 years. This is the city my wife Chitra and I chose to raise our three children, and I will be working hard across the electorate to re-elect a National Government and earn your support as the Wellington Bays MP.”

Biographical notes

Karunanidhi (Karuna) Muthu is a lawyer, business strategist and community leader based in Strathmore Park.

Karuna has worked in business and investment strategy for most of his career, supporting start-up ventures and early stage companies.

His academic background includes a Bachelor of Laws from Victoria University of Wellington, complemented by graduate diplomas in business from the University of Auckland, Unitec, and a certificate in Private Equity from the University of Oxford.

Karuna has served in a range of governance roles in the Wellington community, including as President of Wellington Mutamizh Sangam, which is a group for Tamil New Zealanders to promote Tamil language and culture. He currently serves as the President of the Aotearoa New Zealand Federation of Tamil Sangams and was an inaugural director of Te Putahitanga, the Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency. His leadership extends to various institutional boards, including the Queen Margaret College Foundation Trust and Wellington Rugby League.

He and his wife Chitra, a local GP, have three children, and have lived in the Wellington Bays electorate for 25 years.

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