Ultra-marginal battleground

Te Atatū

General electorate

—

days to election day

What it takes to flip this seat

Phil Twyford won by 131 votes in 2023. Just 66 voters switching to a challenger would have flipped Te Atatū.

In the news

Coverage naming Te Atatū or Phil, from our tracked feeds.

The roster

The defender's record, and who's confirmed to challenge them in 2026.

Won Te Atatū by a majority of 131 in 2023, making it an ultra-marginal seat.

Philip Stoner Twyford is a politician from New Zealand and a member of the Labour Party. He has been a Member of Parliament since 2008. He is the Labour Party MP for Te Atatū.

Full MP profile

What Phil has prioritised this term

Official roles, sourced from parliament.nz.

Spokesperson roles

Disarmament and Arms Control
Foreign Affairs
Immigration

Select committees

Education and Workforce

Legislative activity this term

From Parliament's official bills record, as at 16 September 2026.

Members' bill in the ballot (1)

Community Trusts (Investment Transparency) Amendment Bill

Written questions to Ministers this term

What is this, and why does it matter to you?

Any MP can put a written question to a Minister, demanding information on the record. The Minister must reply, usually within days. It costs nothing and needs no debate, which makes it the main day-to-day tool MPs use to hold the government to account between bills. It matters most for opposition MPs, who can't pass laws but can still force information into the open. Which Ministers an MP questions most, below, is a numbers-based picture of what they watch on your behalf, and it's worth comparing against what they say they prioritise.

2,534written questions asked since the 2023 election

Where it's gone, by Minister

Minister of Immigration

1509

Associate Minister of Immigration

730

Minister of Health

Battlegrounds map 2026 election

2023 result and margin: Electoral Commission. 2026 candidates are added only once officially confirmed — never assumed.

Read 5 recent questions & replies, in Phil’s and the Minister’s own words

To the Minister of Immigration · 2026-09-07

"What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 31 August 2026, by title and date?"

Reply: None.

To the Minister of Immigration · 2026-09-07

"What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 31 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?"

Reply not yet due or not yet published.

To the Associate Minister of Immigration · 2026-09-07

"What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 31 August 2026, by title and date?"

Reply not yet due or not yet published.

To the Associate Minister of Immigration · 2026-09-07

"What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 31 August 2026, by title and date?"

Reply: None

To the Minister of Immigration · 2026-08-31

"What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 24 August 2026, by title and date?"

Reply: None.