# Christchurch Central

Christchurch Central is a New Zealand parliamentary electorate in the South Island city of Christchurch. The electorate was established for the 1946 election and, until 2011 had always been won by the Labour Party. Since 2008, the incumbent was Brendon Burns but the election night results for the 2011 election resulted in a tie; the special vote results combined with a judicial recount revealed a 47-vote majority for Nicky Wagner, the National list MP based in the electorate. Wagner significantly increased her winning margin in the 2014 election after having declared the electorate "unwinnable" for National earlier in the year following a boundary review. At the 2017 election Wagner lost the seat to Labour's Duncan Webb, who retained it at the 2020 election.

## Population centres

The 1941 New Zealand census had been postponed due to World War II, so the 1946 electoral redistribution had to take ten years of population growth and movements into account. The North Island gained a further two electorates from the South Island due to faster population growth. The abolition of the country quota through the Electoral Amendment Act, 1945 reduced the number and increased the size of rural electorates. None of the existing electorates remained unchanged, 27 electorates were abolished, eight former electorates were re-established, and 19 electorates were created for the first time, including Christchurch Central.
As the name suggests, the electorate covers the Christchurch Central City, plus several inner suburbs to the north and east of the central city. Since the 2008 election, the following suburbs, in alphabetical order, are at least partially located in the electorate: Avonside, Central City, Edgeware, Linwood, Mairehau, Merivale, North Linwood, Northcote, Papanui, Phillipstown, Redwood, Richmond, Shirley, St Albans, Sydenham, and Waltham. In the 2013/14 redistribution, the electorate lost Mairehau and Shirley to Christchurch East and gained more of Sydenham and Beckenham from Port Hills and more of Redwood from Waimakariri.

## History

The Christchurch Central electorate was created in 1946. Labour held the seat for the next 65 years, though a high turnout for the Alliance saw Tim Barnett's 1996 majority come in at under a thousand. The incumbent, Brendon Burns, had a majority in the 2008 election of also just under one thousand.
The first representative was Robert Macfarlane, who had earlier represented the Christchurch South electorate. He held Christchurch Central until the 1969 election, when he retired. He was succeeded by Bruce Barclay, who died in office in 1979. This caused the 1979 by-election held on 18 August, which was won by Geoffrey Palmer. Palmer eventually went on to become Prime Minister.
Palmer retired at the 1990 election and was succeeded by Lianne Dalziel. At the 1996 election, i.e. with the advent of MMP, Dalziel did not contest an electorate but stood as a list candidate only. Tim Barnett succeeded her and held the electorate until the 2008 election, when he retired. Brendon Burns succeeded Barnett.
The election night results for the 2011 election resulted in a tie; Burns and Nicky Wagner of the National Party received 10,493 votes each. The outcome of the election thus depended on the special votes. This was the first time a tie result had been achieved since 1928. When the final vote count was announced on 10 December, Wagner was declared the winner with a majority of 45 over Burns, making the result the second-smallest majority after Waitakere. Due to the closeness of the results a judicial recount was held where Wagner's majority increased by 2 votes to 47.
When draft electoral boundary changes were released, Wagner declared the electorate "unwinnable" for National. Although she was expected to not contest the 2014 general election, she announced at the end of January 2014 that she would try to defend her seat. Labour chose Tony Milne as their candidate for Christchurch Central. Wagner had a 2,420 majority over Milne. The Labour Party chose Duncan Webb as its candidate for the 2017 general election. He is a prominent lawyer and earthquake claims advocate. Webb narrowly won the seat in 2017, and massively increased his majority at the 2020 election amid that year's Labour landslide.

### Members of Parliament

Christchurch Central has been represented by eight MPs. Since its creation in 1946 until the 2011 general election it had been a safe seat for the Labour Party. It was then held by the National Party until the 2017 general election when it swung back to Labour.
Key  Labour Alliance NZ First National
| Election | Winner |
| 1946 election | Robert Macfarlane |
| 1949 election | Robert Macfarlane |
| 1951 election | Robert Macfarlane |
| 1954 election | Robert Macfarlane |
| 1957 election | Robert Macfarlane |
| 1960 election | Robert Macfarlane |
| 1963 election | Robert Macfarlane |
| 1966 election | Robert Macfarlane |
| 1969 election | Bruce Barclay |
| 1972 election | Bruce Barclay |
| 1975 election | Bruce Barclay |
| 1978 election | Bruce Barclay |
| 1979 by-election | Geoffrey Palmer |
| 1981 election | Geoffrey Palmer |
| 1984 election | Geoffrey Palmer |
| 1987 election | Geoffrey Palmer |
| 1990 election | Lianne Dalziel |
| 1993 election | Lianne Dalziel |
| 1996 election | Tim Barnett |
| 1999 election | Tim Barnett |
| 2002 election | Tim Barnett |
| 2005 election | Tim Barnett |
| 2008 election | Brendon Burns |
| 2011 election | Nicky Wagner |
| 2014 election | Nicky Wagner |
| 2017 election | Duncan Webb |
| 2020 election | Duncan Webb |
| 2023 election | Duncan Webb |

### List MPs

Members of Parliament elected from party lists in elections where that person also unsuccessfully contested the Christchurch Central electorate.
| Election | Winner |
| 1996 election | Ron Mark |
| 1996 election | Liz Gordon |
| 1999 election | Liz Gordon |
| 2005 election | Nicky Wagner |
| 2008 election | Nicky Wagner |
| 2017 election | Nicky Wagner |
| 2023 election | Kahurangi Carter |

## Election results
### 2023 election

2023 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Notes: | Notes: | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. |
| Party | Party | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Party votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Y Duncan Webb | Y Duncan Webb | 15,553 | 39.68 | -19.60 | 11,357 | 28.49 | -24.73 |
| | National | Dale Stephens | Dale Stephens | 13,712 | 34.98 | +10.62 | 12,403 | 31.11 | +11.66 |
| | Green | Kahurangi Carter | Kahurangi Carter | 5,441 | 13.88 | +7.49 | 7,746 | 19.43 | +6.74 |
| | NZ First | Mark Arneil | Mark Arneil | 1,563 | 3.98 | +2.63 | 2,073 | 5.20 | +3.08 |
| | ACT | Matthew Fisken | Matthew Fisken | 1,395 | 3.55 | +0.90 | 2,646 | 6.63 | +0.48 |
| | Legalise Cannabis | Michael Britnell | Michael Britnell | 680 | 1.73 | -0.01 | 174 | 0.43 | -0.20 |
| | Animal Justice | Sarah Jackson | Sarah Jackson | 376 | 0.95 | | 106 | 0.26 | |
| | Opportunities | | | | | | 2,042 | 5.12 | +2.93 |
| | Te Pāti Māori | | | | | | 405 | 1.01 | +0.66 |
| | NZ Loyal | | | | | | 253 | 0.63 | |
| | NewZeal | | | | | | 108 | 0.27 | +0.04 |
| | DemocracyNZ | | | | | | 82 | 0.20 | |
| | New Conservative | | | | | | 78 | 0.19 | -0.98 |
| | Freedoms NZ | | | | | | 71 | 0.17 | |
| | Women's Rights | | | | | | 59 | 0.14 | |
| | Leighton Baker Party | | | | | | 51 | 0.12 | |
| | New Nation | | | | | | 36 | 0.09 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 472 | | | 166 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 39,192 | | | 39,856 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 39,856 | | | | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Majority | 1,841 | 4.56 | -30.36 | | | |

### 2020 election

2020 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Notes: | Notes: | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. |
| Party | Party | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Party votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Y Duncan Webb | Y Duncan Webb | 23,931 | 59.28 | +11.81 | 21,681 | 53.22 | +12.65 |
| | National | Dale Stephens | Dale Stephens | 9,833 | 24.36 | −14.91 | 7,921 | 19.45 | −19.49 |
| | Green | Chrys Horn | Chrys Horn | 2,566 | 6.36 | +0.78 | 5,168 | 12.69 | +2.95 |
| | ACT | Abigail Johnson | Abigail Johnson | 1,071 | 2.65 | — | 2,507 | 6.15 | +5.72 |
| | Legalise Cannabis | Michael Britnell | Michael Britnell | 704 | 1.74 | +0.88 | 257 | 0.63 | +0.33 |
| | NZ First | Mark Arneil | Mark Arneil | 544 | 1.35 | -1.76 | 862 | 2.12 | −3.09 |
| | New Conservative | Benjamin Price | Benjamin Price | 430 | 1.07 | — | 478 | 1.17 | +0.91 |
| | Advance NZ | Carole Church | Carole Church | 355 | 0.88 | — | 325 | 0.80 | — |
| | ONE | Ken Webb | Ken Webb | 143 | 0.35 | — | 92 | 0.23 | — |
| | Independent | Hayden Laurie | Hayden Laurie | 93 | 0.23 | — | | | |
| | Opportunities | | | | | | 887 | 2.19 | −1.29 |
| | Māori Party | | | | | | 142 | 0.35 | −0.03 |
| | Outdoors | | | | | | 24 | 0.06 | +0.01 |
| | Sustainable NZ | | | | | | 24 | 0.06 | — |
| | Vision NZ | | | | | | 22 | 0.05 | — |
| | Social Credit | | | | | | 20 | 0.05 | +0.04 |
| | TEA | | | | | | 11 | 0.03 | — |
| | Heartland | | | | | | 2 | 0.005 | — |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 699 | | | 312 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 40,369 | | | 40,735 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 40,735 | | | | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Majority | 14,098 | 34.92 | +26.72 | | | |

### 2017 election

2017 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Notes: | Notes: | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. |
| Party | Party | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Party votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Duncan Webb | Duncan Webb | 16,631 | 47.47 | +8.54 | 14,541 | 40.57 | +14.31 |
| | National | N Nicky Wagner | N Nicky Wagner | 13,760 | 39.27 | −6.95 | 13,956 | 38.94 | −5.72 |
| | Green | Peter Richardson | Peter Richardson | 1,957 | 5.58 | −2.85 | 3,492 | 9.74 | −6.08 |
| | NZ First | Phil Robinson | Phil Robinson | 1,091 | 3.11 | −0.64 | 1,869 | 5.21 | −1.98 |
| | Opportunities | Doug Hill | Doug Hill | 879 | 2.50 | — | 1,246 | 3.47 | — |
| | Legalise Cannabis | Janine Shufflebotham | Janine Shufflebotham | 304 | 0.86 | — | 108 | 0.30 | −0.18 |
| | United Future | Ian Gaskin | Ian Gaskin | 80 | 0.22 | — | 45 | 0.12 | −0.05 |
| | ACT | | | | | | 155 | 0.43 | −0.06 |
| | Māori Party | | | | | | 139 | 0.38 | −0.08 |
| | Conservative | | | | | | 94 | 0.26 | −2.85 |
| | Outdoors | | | | | | 21 | 0.05 | — |
| | Ban 1080 | | | | | | 21 | 0.05 | −0.03 |
| | People's Party | | | | | | 16 | 0.04 | — |
| | Mana Party | | | | | | 11 | 0.03 | −1.00 |
| | Internet | | | | | | 8 | 0.02 | −1.01 |
| | Democrats | | | | | | 5 | 0.01 | −0.08 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 331 | | | 111 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 35,033 | | | 35,838 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 36,220 | 81.01 | +2.51 | | | |
| | Labour gain from National | Labour gain from National | Majority | 2,871 | 8.20 | +15.49 | | | |

### 2014 election

2014 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Notes: | Notes: | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. |
| Party | Party | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Party votes | % | ±% |
| | National | Y Nicky Wagner | Y Nicky Wagner | 15,346 | 46.22 | +1.69 | 15,301 | 44.66 | +0.03 |
| | Labour | Tony Milne | Tony Milne | 12,926 | 38.93 | −5.43 | 8,995 | 26.25 | −3.15 |
| | Green | David Moorhouse | David Moorhouse | 2,800 | 8.43 | −0.14 | 5,419 | 15.82 | −0.44 |
| | NZ First | George Abraham | George Abraham | 1,245 | 3.75 | +3.75 | 2,462 | 7.19 | +2.23 |
| | Conservative | Michael Cooke | Michael Cooke | 598 | 1.80 | +0.18 | 1,065 | 3.11 | +1.37 |
| | ACT | Toni Severin | Toni Severin | 122 | 0.37 | −0.04 | 167 | 0.49 | −0.29 |
| | Māori Party | Lenis Davidson | Lenis Davidson | 109 | 0.33 | +0.33 | 157 | 0.46 | −0.04 |
| | Democrats | Robin Columbus | Robin Columbus | 57 | 0.17 | +0.17 | 30 | 0.09 | +0.06 |
| | Internet Mana | | | | | | 353 | 1.03 | +0.67 |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 165 | 0.48 | −0.16 |
| | United Future | | | | | | 79 | 0.23 | −0.31 |
| | Civilian | | | | | | 40 | 0.12 | +0.12 |
| | Ban 1080 | | | | | | 27 | 0.08 | +0.08 |
| | Independent Coalition | | | | | | 3 | 0.01 | +0.01 |
| | Focus | | | | | | 1 | 0.00 | +0.00 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 281 | | | 108 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 33,203 | | | 34,264 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 34,480 | 78.01 | +6.32 | | | |
| | National hold | National hold | Majority | 2,420 | 7.29 | +7.12 | | | |

### 2011 election

2011 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Notes: | Notes: | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. |
| Party | Party | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Party votes | % | ±% |
| | National | Nicky Wagner | Nicky Wagner | 12,064 | 44.53 | +3.61 | 12,506 | 44.63 | +7.05 |
| | Labour | N Brendon Burns | N Brendon Burns | 12,017 | 44.36 | +0.52 | 8,240 | 29.40 | -9.96 |
| | Green | David Moorhouse | David Moorhouse | 2,321 | 8.57 | +0.14 | 4,556 | 16.26 | +5.09 |
| | Conservative | Michael Cooke | Michael Cooke | 439 | 1.62 | +1.62 | 487 | 1.74 | +1.74 |
| | Independent | Luke Chandler | Luke Chandler | 138 | 0.51 | +0.51 | | | |
| | ACT | Toni Severin | Toni Severin | 110 | 0.41 | -1.09 | 219 | 0.78 | -1.93 |
| | NZ First | | | | | | 1,391 | 4.96 | +1.83 |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 180 | 0.64 | +0.08 |
| | United Future | | | | | | 151 | 0.54 | -0.18 |
| | Māori Party | | | | | | 139 | 0.50 | -0.20 |
| | Mana | | | | | | 100 | 0.36 | +0.36 |
| | Alliance | | | | | | 24 | 0.09 | -0.04 |
| | Libertarianz | | | | | | 22 | 0.08 | +0.01 |
| | Democrats | | | | | | 9 | 0.03 | -0.02 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 532 | | | 237 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 27,089 | | | 28,024 | | |
| | National gain from Labour | National gain from Labour | Majority | 47 | 0.17 | +3.08 | | | |
Electorate (as at 26 November 2011): 39,419

### 2008 election

2008 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Notes: | Notes: | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. |
| Party | Party | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Party votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Brendon Burns | Brendon Burns | 14,078 | 43.83 | -8.74 | 12,999 | 39.36 | -8.95 |
| | National | Nicky Wagner | Nicky Wagner | 13,143 | 40.92 | +11.65 | 12,409 | 37.58 | +7.07 |
| | Green | Jan McLauchlan | Jan McLauchlan | 2,708 | 8.43 | +1.78 | 3,688 | 11.17 | +1.47 |
| | Progressive | Somnath Bagchi | Somnath Bagchi | 598 | 1.86 | -1.34 | 697 | 2.11 | +0.25 |
| | Legalise Cannabis | Michael Britnell | Michael Britnell | 487 | 1.52 | – | 187 | 0.57 | +0.20 |
| | ACT | Toni Severin | Toni Severin | 482 | 1.50 | +0.49 | 897 | 2.72 | +1.66 |
| | Kiwi | Andrew Beaven | Andrew Beaven | 353 | 1.10 | – | 218 | 0.66 | – |
| | Workers Party | Byron Clark | Byron Clark | 164 | 0.51 | +0.24 | 33 | 0.10 | |
| | Alliance | Greg Kleis | Greg Kleis | 103 | 0.32 | – | 41 | 0.12 | +0.01 |
| | NZ First | | | | | | 1,036 | 3.14 | -0.90 |
| | United Future | | | | | | 239 | 0.72 | -2.32 |
| | Māori Party | | | | | | 230 | 0.70 | 0.36 |
| | Bill and Ben | | | | | | 187 | 0.57 | – |
| | Family Party | | | | | | 87 | 0.26 | – |
| | Pacific | | | | | | 31 | 0.09 | – |
| | Libertarianz | | | | | | 21 | 0.06 | +0.04 |
| | Democrats | | | | | | 16 | 0.05 | +0.00 |
| | RONZ | | | | | | 5 | 0.02 | +0.00 |
| | RAM | | | | | | 2 | 0.01 | – |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 306 | | | 119 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 32,116 | | | 33,023 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Majority | 935 | 2.91 | -20.38 | | | |

### 2005 election

2005 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Notes: | Notes: | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. |
| Party | Party | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Party votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Y Tim Barnett | Y Tim Barnett | 17,685 | 52.57 | | 16,652 | 48.31 | |
| | National | Nicky Wagner | Nicky Wagner | 9,849 | 29.28 | | 10,515 | 30.51 | |
| | Green | Natalie Cutler-Welsh | Natalie Cutler-Welsh | 2,236 | 6.65 | | 3,342 | 9.70 | |
| | Progressive | Megan Woods | Megan Woods | 1,077 | 3.20 | | 643 | 1.87 | |
| | NZ First | Kevin Gardener | Kevin Gardener | 1,022 | 3.04 | | 1,391 | 4.04 | |
| | United Future | John van Buren | John van Buren | 761 | 2.26 | | 1,048 | 3.04 | |
| | ACT | Shirley Marshall | Shirley Marshall | 340 | 1.01 | | 364 | 1.06 | |
| | Destiny | Anita Breach | Anita Breach | 338 | 1.01 | | 144 | 0.42 | |
| | Māori Party | Darryl Gregory | Darryl Gregory | 188 | 0.56 | | 116 | 0.34 | |
| | Anti-Capitalist Alliance | Byron Clark | Byron Clark | 90 | 0.27 | | | | |
| | Communist League | Annalucia Vermunt | Annalucia Vermunt | 53 | 0.16 | | | | |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 125 | 0.36 | |
| | Alliance | | | | | | 40 | 0.12 | |
| | Christian Heritage | | | | | | 37 | 0.11 | |
| | Democrats | | | | | | 15 | 0.04 | |
| | 99 MP | | | | | | 10 | 0.03 | |
| | Libertarianz | | | | | | 9 | 0.03 | |
| | Direct Democracy | | | | | | 7 | 0.02 | |
| | RONZ | | | | | | 5 | 0.01 | |
| | Family Rights | | | | | | 4 | 0.01 | |
| | One NZ | | | | | | 2 | 0.01 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 410 | | | 193 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 33,639 | | | 34,469 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Majority | 7,836 | | | | | |

### 2002 election

2002 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Notes: | Notes: | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. |
| Party | Party | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Party votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Y Tim Barnett | Y Tim Barnett | 17,190 | 56.2 | | 13,853 | 43.4 | |
| | National | Nicky Wagner | Nicky Wagner | 6,837 | 22.4 | | 5,338 | 17.0 | |
| | Green | Matt Morris | Matt Morris | 1,791 | 5.9 | | 3,479 | 11.1 | |
| | United Future | Stephen Russell | Stephen Russell | 1,160 | 3.8 | | 2,118 | 6.8 | |
| | Christian Heritage | Vic Pollard | Vic Pollard | 874 | 2.9 | | 430 | 1.4 | |
| | ACT | Anthony Watson | Anthony Watson | 762 | 2.5 | | 1,845 | 5.9 | |
| | Progressive | Fleur Churton | Fleur Churton | 761 | 2.5 | | 930 | 3.0 | |
| | Alliance | Liz Gordon | Liz Gordon | 635 | 2.1 | | 598 | 1.9 | |
| | Legalise Cannabis | Jeanette Saxby | Jeanette Saxby | 469 | 1.5 | | 327 | 1.0 | |
| | Communist League | Appu Baskaran | Appu Baskaran | 99 | 0.3 | | | | |
| | NZ First | | | | | | 2,106 | 6.7 | |
| | ORNZ | | | | | | 280 | 0.9 | |
| | One NZ | | | | | | 16 | 0.1 | |
| | Mana Māori | | | | | | 10 | <0.1 | |
| | NMP | | | | | | 3 | (0.1 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 516 | | | 135 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 30,578 | | | 31,333 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Majority | 10,353 | | | | | |

### 1999 election

1999 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Notes: | Notes: | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. |
| Party | Party | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Party votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Y Tim Barnett | Y Tim Barnett | 17,229 | 52.80 | | 13,407 | | |
| | National | John Stringer | John Stringer | 7,825 | 23.98 | | 8,887 | | |
| | Alliance | Liz Gordon | Liz Gordon | 2,690 | 8.24 | | 3,369 | | |
| | Green | Diana Pennell | Diana Pennell | 1,658 | 5.08 | | 2,421 | | |
| | ACT | Katherine Sillars | Katherine Sillars | 951 | 2.91 | | 1,731 | | |
| | Christian Heritage | John Bryant | John Bryant | 689 | 2.11 | | 695 | | |
| | NZ First | John Ballantyne | John Ballantyne | 641 | 1.96 | | 880 | | |
| | Christian Democrats | Daryl Gregory | Daryl Gregory | 481 | 1.47 | | 423 | | |
| | McGillicuddy Serious | Cecil G. Murgatroyd | Cecil G. Murgatroyd | 232 | 0.71 | | 56 | | |
| | Independent | David Ball | David Ball | 132 | 0.40 | | | | |
| | Communist League | Ruth Gray | Ruth Gray | 51 | 0.16 | | | | |
| | National Democrats | Anton Foljambe | Anton Foljambe | 44 | 0.13 | | | | |
| | Dominion Workers | Clifford Mundy | Clifford Mundy | 9 | 0.03 | | | | |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 584 | | |
| | United NZ | | | | | | 154 | | |
| | Libertarianz | | | | | | 132 | | |
| | South Island | | | | | | 69 | | |
| | Animals First | | | | | | 58 | | |
| | Natural Law | | | | | | 17 | | |
| | Mauri Pacific | | | | | | 7 | | |
| | One NZ | | | | | | 7 | | |
| | Republican | | | | | | 7 | | |
| | Mana Māori | | | | | | 6 | | |
| | NMP | | | | | | 4 | | |
| | Freedom Movement | | | | | | 2 | | |
| | People's Choice Party | | | | | | 2 | | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | | | | 267 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | | | | 32,918 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Majority | 9,404 | | | | | |

### 1996 election

1996 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Notes: | Notes: | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. |
| Party | Party | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Party votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Tim Barnett | Tim Barnett | 9,689 | 32.28 | | 9,967 | 32.79 | |
| | National | Kerry Sullivan | Kerry Sullivan | 9,036 | 30.10 | | 9,355 | 30.77 | |
| | Alliance | Liz Gordon | Liz Gordon | 6,377 | 21.25 | | 4,372 | 14.38 | |
| | NZ First | Ron Mark | Ron Mark | 3,067 | 10.22 | | 2,434 | 8.01 | |
| | ACT | Matthew Ball | Matthew Ball | 953 | 3.18 | | 1,517 | 4.99 | |
| | Progressive Greens | Gillian Baillie | Gillian Baillie | 386 | 1.29 | | 106 | 0.35 | |
| | United NZ | Jacinta Grice | Jacinta Grice | 224 | 0.75 | | 226 | 0.74 | |
| | Natural Law | Raymond Cain | Raymond Cain | 112 | 0.37 | | 66 | 0.22 | |
| | Independent | David Christopher Ball | David Christopher Ball | 102 | 0.34 | | | | |
| | Communist League | Patrick Brown | Patrick Brown | 69 | 0.23 | | | | |
| | Christian Coalition | | | | | | 1,162 | 3.82 | |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 931 | 3.06 | |
| | McGillicuddy Serious | | | | | | 102 | 0.34 | |
| | Animals First | | | | | | 85 | 0.28 | |
| | Green Society | | | | | | 19 | 0.06 | |
| | Superannuitants & Youth | | | | | | 16 | 0.05 | |
| | Mana Māori | | | | | | 11 | 0.04 | |
| | Ethnic Minority Party | | | | | | 10 | 0.03 | |
| | Conservatives | | | | | | 8 | 0.03 | |
| | Libertarianz | | | | | | 7 | 0.02 | |
| | Advance New Zealand | | | | | | 3 | 0.01 | |
| | Asia Pacific United | | | | | | 1 | 0.00 | |
| | Te Tawharau | | | | | | 1 | 0.00 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 476 | | | 92 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 30,015 | | | 30,399 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Majority | 653 | 2.18 | | | | |

### 1993 election

1993 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Lianne Dalziel | 9,841 | 55.21 | +6.69 |
| | National | Andrew Rowe | 3,652 | 20.49 | |
| | Alliance | Michael Vercoe | 3,501 | 19.64 | |
| | Christian Heritage | Tony Le Cren | 413 | 2.32 | +0.06 |
| | McGillicuddy Serious | Kieran Kelly | 240 | 1.35 | |
| | Natural Law | Glenda Martin | 126 | 0.71 | |
| | Communist League | Carmen Bain | 52 | 0.29 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,189 | 34.72 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 764 | 4.11 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 18,589 | 82.61 | +3.70 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 22,502 | | |

### 1990 election

1990 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Lianne Dalziel | 8,487 | 48.52 | |
| | National | Ross Gluer | 4,718 | 26.97 | |
| | NewLabour | Sidonie Bradbury-Moore | 1,963 | 11.22 | |
| | Green | Ruth Gardner | 1,541 | 8.81 | |
| | Christian Heritage | Tony Le Cren | 396 | 2.26 | |
| | Democrats | Joe Pounsford | 164 | 0.93 | −2.27 |
| | McGillicuddy Serious | Shane Dion Murphy | 101 | 0.57 | |
| | Social Credit | Neville Minchington | 94 | 0.53 | |
| | Communist League | Brigid Rotheram | 27 | 0.15 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,769 | 21.54 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 17,491 | 78.91 | −3.33 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 22,163 | | |

### 1987 election

1987 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Geoffrey Palmer | 11,836 | 65.28 | +1.92 |
| | National | Graham Burnett | 5,031 | 27.75 | |
| | Democrats | Joe Pounsford | 557 | 3.07 | +0.06 |
| | Breakfast Party | James Daniels | 235 | 1.29 | |
| | Socialist Action | Felicity Brereton | 196 | 1.08 | |
| | Wizard Party | David Hanlon | 119 | 0.65 | |
| | Values | Stephen Symons | 85 | 0.46 | |
| | NZ Party | Lynn Yeoman | 70 | 0.38 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,805 | 37.53 | −2.72 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 18,129 | 82.24 | −7.32 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 22,043 | | |

### 1984 election

1984 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Geoffrey Palmer | 13,394 | 63.36 | +0.11 |
| | National | Tony Willy | 4,886 | 23.11 | |
| | NZ Party | Murray Ludemann | 2,072 | 9.80 | |
| | Social Credit | Joe Pounsford | 662 | 3.13 | |
| | Independent | Suzanne Sadler | 123 | 0.58 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,508 | 40.25 | −0.94 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 21,137 | 89.56 | +4.46 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 23,599 | | |

### 1981 election

1981 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Geoffrey Palmer | 10,793 | 63.25 | −0.95 |
| | National | Ian Wilson | 3,765 | 22.06 | |
| | Social Credit | Peter Admore | 2,426 | 14.21 | |
| | Independent | Warwick Iversen | 78 | 0.45 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,028 | 41.19 | −4.64 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 17,062 | 85.10 | +49.10 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 20,048 | | |

### 1979 by-election

1979 Christchurch Central by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Geoffrey Palmer | 6,149 | 64.20 | +3.03 |
| | Social Credit | Terry Heffernan | 1,759 | 18.37 | +9.02 |
| | National | David Duncan | 1,634 | 17.06 | −8.55 |
| | Tory | Suzanne Sadler | 26 | 0.27 | |
| | Economic Euthenics | Tubby Hansen | 10 | 0.10 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,390 | 45.83 | +10.27 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,578 | 36.00 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 26,605 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +11.58 | |

### 1978 election

1978 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Bruce Barclay | 10,229 | 61.17 | +8.21 |
| | National | Gwen Clucas | 4,282 | 25.60 | |
| | Social Credit | Robert Gyde | 1,564 | 9.35 | |
| | Values | Robin Duff | 616 | 3.68 | |
| | Socialist Action | Michael William Gourley | 30 | 0.17 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,947 | 35.56 | +17.32 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 16,721 | 52.32 | −18.19 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 31,956 | | |

### 1975 election

1975 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Bruce Barclay | 8,630 | 52.96 | −7.96 |
| | National | Tim Armitage | 5,657 | 34.71 | |
| | Values | Robin Duff | 1,415 | 8.68 | |
| | Social Credit | Alan Easterbrook | 555 | 3.40 | |
| | Imperial British Conservative | Coronita Wealleans | 37 | 0.22 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,973 | 18.24 | −12.94 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 16,294 | 70.51 | −14.49 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 23,107 | | |

### 1972 election

1972 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Bruce Barclay | 9,971 | 60.92 | +2.87 |
| | National | Barbara Beaven | 4,868 | 29.74 | |
| | Social Credit | Ray Thomas | 700 | 4.27 | |
| | Values | Diane Roberts | 693 | 4.23 | |
| | Socialist Unity | Arnold James Cox | 68 | 0.41 | |
| | New Democratic | Cairn George Jensen | 66 | 0.40 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,103 | 31.18 | +8.72 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 16,366 | 85.00 | −1.61 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 19,252 | | |

### 1969 election

1969 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Bruce Barclay | 8,801 | 58.05 | |
| | National | Colin Knight | 5,395 | 35.58 | |
| | Social Credit | Stan Fitchett | 964 | 6.35 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,406 | 22.46 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 15,160 | 86.61 | +6.79 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 17,502 | | |

### 1966 election

1966 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Robert Macfarlane | 6,771 | 49.32 | −2.92 |
| | National | Fred Francis | 5,362 | 39.06 | |
| | Social Credit | Lola Thompson | 1,455 | 10.60 | +3.11 |
| | Communist | Jack Locke | 138 | 1.00 | −0.26 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,409 | 10.26 | −2.98 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 13,726 | 79.82 | −4.10 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 17,196 | | |

### 1963 election

1963 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Robert Macfarlane | 7,552 | 52.24 | −1.52 |
| | National | Dave Patchett | 5,637 | 38.99 | |
| | Social Credit | Lola Thompson | 1,084 | 7.49 | |
| | Communist | Jack Locke | 183 | 1.26 | +0.21 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,915 | 13.24 | −2.09 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 14,456 | 83.92 | −0.69 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 17,225 | | |

### 1960 election

1960 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Robert Macfarlane | 6,786 | 53.76 | −7.01 |
| | National | Tom Flint | 4,851 | 38.43 | |
| | Social Credit | Walter Green | 851 | 6.74 | |
| | Communist | Jack Locke | 133 | 1.05 | −0.01 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,935 | 15.33 | −12.90 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 12,621 | 84.61 | −4.62 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 14,916 | | |

### 1957 election

1957 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Robert Macfarlane | 8,763 | 60.77 | +6.84 |
| | National | Colin McLachlan | 4,692 | 32.54 | |
| | Social Credit | William John Campbell | 811 | 5.62 | |
| | Communist | Jack Locke | 153 | 1.06 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,071 | 28.23 | +3.30 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 14,419 | 89.23 | +3.15 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 16,158 | | |

### 1954 election

1954 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Robert Macfarlane | 7,345 | 53.93 | −8.79 |
| | National | Oliver G. Moody | 3,950 | 29.00 | |
| | Social Credit | Albert E. Willyams | 2,185 | 16.04 | |
| | Communist | Alec Ostler | 137 | 1.00 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,395 | 24.93 | −0.89 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 13,617 | 86.08 | +3.61 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 15,819 | | |

### 1951 election

1951 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Robert Macfarlane | 6,901 | 62.72 | −1.81 |
| | National | Alma Schumacher | 4,103 | 37.28 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,798 | 25.42 | −5.50 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 11,004 | 82.47 | −6.90 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 13,343 | | |

### 1949 election

1949 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Robert Macfarlane | 7,589 | 64.53 | −1.96 |
| | National | Kevin Marlow | 3,952 | 33.60 | |
| | Communist | Alec Ostler | 218 | 1.85 | −0.56 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,637 | 30.92 | −4.49 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 11,759 | 89.37 | +0.40 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 13,157 | | |

### 1946 election

1946 general election: Christchurch Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Robert Macfarlane | 8,300 | 66.49 |
| | National | Alan J. Wills | 3,880 | 31.08 |
| | Communist | Alec Ostler | 302 | 2.41 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,420 | 35.41 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 12,482 | 88.97 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 14,028 | |

## Table footnotes

* ↑ 2017 Mana Party swing is relative to the votes for Internet-Mana in 2014; it shared a party list with the Internet Party in the 2014 election
* ↑ 2017 Internet Party swing is relative to the votes for Internet-Mana in 2014; it shared a party list with Mana Party in the 2014 election
* ↑ 2014 Internet Mana swing is relative to the votes for Mana in 2011; it shared a party list with Internet in the 2014 election.
* ↑ Byron Clark contested the seat in the 2005 election for the same party, which was then called the Anti-Capitalist Alliance.