# Whanganui (New Zealand electorate)

Whanganui (known as Wanganui until 1996) is a New Zealand parliamentary electorate. It was first established in 1860 for the 3rd Parliament and has existed continuously since then.
It is held by Carl Bates of the National Party, who won it in the 2023 general election.

## Establishment

In the 1860 electoral redistribution, the House of Representatives increased the number of representatives by 12, reflecting the immense population growth since the original electorates were established in 1853. The redistribution created 15 additional electorates with between one and three members, and the Wanganui and Rangitikei electorate was split into two separate electorates: the Rangitikei electorate and the Wanganui electorate, with one member each.

## Population centres

The current electorate is based on the urban area of Whanganui, the town of Hāwera, and smaller centres Kaponga, Eltham, Normanby, Manaia, Patea and Waverley; broadly speaking, the Whanganui and South Taranaki local government districts.

## History

Henry Shafto Harrison was the first representative. His 7 February 1861 election was declared invalid. He stood again in the 1861 by-election and was elected again. He then served the electorate until the end of the term in 1866.
Harrison, John Bryce and John Garner contested the 1866 election. The nomination meeting was held on Friday, 2 March 1866. Harrison, Bryce and Garner received 51, 102 and 7 votes, respectively, at the election on the following day. Bryce was thus declared elected. Bryce resigned in 1867.
The resulting 6 May 1867 by-election was won by Harrison, and he served until the dissolution of Parliament on 30 December 1870.
Bryce was again elected in the 30 January 1871 election. This time, he served three parliamentary terms until the dissolution in November 1881.
Wanganui became a two-member electorate for the 12 January 1876 election. Apart from Bryce, Julius Vogel was elected, who was later to become Premier. Vogel resigned on 9 September 1876.
The resulting 2 October 1876 by-election was won by William Fox, resulting in his second period of representation of a Whanganui-centred electorate. He served until the end of the term on 15 August 1879.
Bryce and John Ballance won the 1879 election. They both served until the end of the term, with Parliament being dissolved on 8 November 1881.
For the 1881 election, the electorate reverted to being represented by a single member. The election, held on 9 December, was won by William Hogg Watt. He served until the end of the term, with Parliament being dissolved on 27 June 1884.
The 1884 election was once again won by John Ballance. This time, he would serve in three successive Parliaments. He died in office on 27 April 1893 during the 11th Parliament. Ballance formed the Liberal Party after the 1890 election and became its leader, and thus introduced party politics to New Zealand. The Liberal Government of New Zealand would last for 21 years and is the longest serving government in New Zealand's history.
Ballance's death triggered the 1893 by-election, which was held on 13 June and won by Archibald Willis, who was re-elected at the 1893 election a few months later.
Gilbert Carson was successful in the 1896 election. He served one term. He was succeeded by Willis in the 1899 election, who served two more terms for the electorate.
James Thomas Hogan won the 1905 election. He served two terms and was defeated in the 1911 election by Bill Veitch.
Veitch had a long career in the electorate, serving until 1935, when he defeated. He was initially an Independent, but joined the Liberal Party in 1925, and changed to the United Party in 1928.
Joe Cotterill won the electorate in the 1935 election for the Labour Party. He also had a long career, retiring in 1960 from the Wanganui seat.
He was succeeded by his party colleague George Spooner in the 1960 election, who served three terms and was defeated in 1969 election by Bill Tolhurst from the National Party.
Tolhurst served one term and at the 1972 election, the electorate returned to Labour. Russell Marshall served six terms and retired in 1990.
In the 1990 election, Cam Campion secured the seat for National. He retired in 1993 and died two years after that.
The seat returned to Labour again, with Jill Pettis winning the 1993 election. She was the first woman to represent Wanganui. She served four terms, until her defeat in the 2005 election by Chester Borrows of the National Party. Pettis served an additional term as a List MP until 2008. Borrows announced in 2016 that he would not seek reelection at the 2017 general election and the seat was won by Harete Hipango, retaining it for the National Party. She however, was defeated after one term by Labour's Steph Lewis.
Several members (Fox, Vogel and Ballance) became Premier. Terry Heffernan stood in the electorate five times for four parties, from 1981 to 1993.

### Members of Parliament

Unless otherwise stated, all MPs terms began and ended at a general election.
Key
Independent  Liberal  Conservative  Liberal–Labour
Independent Labour  United Labour  United  Labour  National

#### single-member electorate

| Election | Winner |
| 1861 election | Henry Harrison |
| 1861 by-election | Henry Harrison |
| 1866 election | John Bryce |
| 1867 by-election | Henry Harrison (2nd time) |
| 1871 election | John Bryce (2nd time) |

#### multi-member electorate

| Election | Winners | Winners |
| 1876 election | John Bryce | Julius Vogel |
| 1876 by-election | John Bryce | William Fox |
| 1879 election | John Bryce | John Ballance |

#### single-member electorate

| Election | Winner |
| 1881 election | William Watt |
| 1884 election | John Ballance (2nd time) |
| 1887 election | John Ballance (2nd time) |
| 1890 election | John Ballance (2nd time) |
| 1893 by-election | Archibald Willis |
| 1893 election | Archibald Willis |
| 1896 election | Gilbert Carson |
| 1899 election | Archibald Willis (2nd time) |
| 1902 election | Archibald Willis (2nd time) |
| 1905 election | James Thomas Hogan |
| 1908 election | James Thomas Hogan |
| 1911 election | Bill Veitch |
| 1914 election | Bill Veitch |
| 1919 election | Bill Veitch |
| 1922 election | Bill Veitch |
| 1925 election | Bill Veitch |
| 1928 election | Bill Veitch |
| 1931 election | Bill Veitch |
| 1935 election | Joe Cotterill |
| 1938 election | Joe Cotterill |
| 1943 election | Joe Cotterill |
| 1946 election | Joe Cotterill |
| 1949 election | Joe Cotterill |
| 1951 election | Joe Cotterill |
| 1954 election | Joe Cotterill |
| 1957 election | Joe Cotterill |
| 1960 election | George Spooner |
| 1963 election | George Spooner |
| 1966 election | George Spooner |
| 1969 election | Bill Tolhurst |
| 1972 election | Russell Marshall |
| 1975 election | Russell Marshall |
| 1978 election | Russell Marshall |
| 1981 election | Russell Marshall |
| 1984 election | Russell Marshall |
| 1987 election | Russell Marshall |
| 1990 election | Cam Campion |
| 1993 election | Jill Pettis |
| 1996 election | Jill Pettis |
| 1999 election | Jill Pettis |
| 2002 election | Jill Pettis |
| 2005 election | Chester Borrows |
| 2008 election | Chester Borrows |
| 2011 election | Chester Borrows |
| 2014 election | Chester Borrows |
| 2017 election | Harete Hipango |
| 2020 election | Steph Lewis |
| 2023 election | Carl Bates |

### List MPs

Members of Parliament elected from party lists in elections where that person also unsuccessfully contested the electorate. Unless otherwise stated, all MPs terms began and ended at general elections.
| Election | Winner |
| 1996 election | Peter Gresham |
| 2005 election | Jill Pettis |
| 2021 | Harete Hipango |

## Election results
### 2023 election

2023 general election: Whanganui :
| 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 | Carl Bates | Carl Bates | 18,484 | 47.10 | +12.73 | 14,567 | 36.80 | +10.59 |
| | Labour | N Steph Lewis | N Steph Lewis | 12,972 | 33.05 | –21.72 | 11,002 | 27.79 | –23.60 |
| | NZ First | William Arnold | William Arnold | 3,139 | 7.99 | — | 4,494 | 11.35 | +8.04 |
| | Green | Marion Sanson | Marion Sanson | 2,049 | 5.22 | +1.59 | 2,980 | 7.52 | +2.67 |
| | ACT | Craig Dredge | Craig Dredge | 1,683 | 4.28 | — | 3,749 | 9.47 | +1.58 |
| | Animal Justice | Sandra Kyle | Sandra Kyle | 402 | 1.02 | — | 99 | 0.25 | — |
| | Te Pāti Māori | | | | | | 602 | 1.52 | +0.98 |
| | NZ Loyal | | | | | | 544 | 1.37 | — |
| | Opportunities | | | | | | 463 | 1.16 | +0.22 |
| | NewZeal | | | | | | 315 | 0.79 | +0.33 |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 214 | 0.54 | +0.06 |
| | New Conservatives | | | | | | 105 | 0.26 | –1.41 |
| | Freedoms NZ | | | | | | 88 | 0.22 | — |
| | DemocracyNZ | | | | | | 77 | 0.19 | — |
| | Women's Rights | | | | | | 30 | 0.07 | — |
| | Leighton Baker Party | | | | | | 20 | 0.05 | — |
| | New Nation | | | | | | 17 | 0.04 | — |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 511 | | | 210 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 39,240 | | | 39,576 | | |
| | National gain from Labour | National gain from Labour | Majority | 5,512 | 14.04 | –5.92 | | | |

### 2020 election

2020 general election: Whanganui :
| 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 | Steph Lewis | Steph Lewis | 22,299 | 54.32 | +13.98 | 21,228 | 51.39 | +14.95 |
| | National | N Harete Hipango | N Harete Hipango | 14,108 | 34.37 | -10.54 | 10,828 | 26.21 | -18.52 |
| | Green | Alan Clay | Alan Clay | 1,491 | 3.63 | -1.91 | 2,004 | 4.85 | +0.15 |
| | New Conservative | Johnathan Marshall | Johnathan Marshall | 784 | 1.91 | — | 690 | 1.67 | +1.42 |
| | Advance NZ | Charlotte Weber | Charlotte Weber | 773 | 1.88 | — | 531 | 1.28 | — |
| | Independent | Hillary Kieft | Hillary Kieft | 367 | 0.89 | — | | | |
| | Social Credit | Heather Marion Smith | Heather Marion Smith | 188 | 0.46 | — | 63 | 0.46 | +0.41 |
| | ACT | | | | | | 3,260 | 7.89 | +7.45 |
| | NZ First | | | | | | 1,368 | 3.31 | -6.71 |
| | Opportunities | | | | | | 390 | 0.94 | -0.75 |
| | Māori Party | | | | | | 222 | 0.54 | +0.11 |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 198 | 0.48 | +0.07 |
| | ONE | | | | | | 189 | 0.46 | — |
| | Outdoors | | | | | | 43 | 0.10 | +0.03 |
| | Sustainable NZ | | | | | | 24 | 0.06 | — |
| | Vision NZ | | | | | | 10 | 0.02 | — |
| | TEA | | | | | | 5 | 0.01 | — |
| | Heartland | | | | | | 2 | 0.00 | — |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 1,035 | | | 253 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 41,045 | | | 41,308 | | |
| | Labour gain from National | Labour gain from National | Majority | 8,191 | 19.96 | +24.53 | | | |

### 2017 election

2017 general election: Whanganui :
| 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 | Harete Hipango | Harete Hipango | 16,751 | 44.91 | −8.24 | 16,874 | 44.73 | −2.4 |
| | Labour | Steph Lewis | Steph Lewis | 15,045 | 40.34 | +0.03 | 13,748 | 36.44 | +10.99 |
| | NZ First | Reg Skipworth | Reg Skipworth | 2,580 | 6.92 | — | 3,783 | 10.02 | −1.9 |
| | Green | Nicola Patrick | Nicola Patrick | 2,067 | 5.54 | — | 1,775 | 4.70 | −2.49 |
| | ACT | Alan Davidson | Alan Davidson | 294 | 0.79 | +0.07 | 168 | 0.44 | −0.03 |
| | Opportunities | | | | | | 639 | 1.69 | — |
| | Māori Party | | | | | | 162 | 0.43 | −0.15 |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 154 | 0.41 | −0.13 |
| | Conservative | | | | | | 94 | 0.25 | −4.75 |
| | Ban 1080 | | | | | | 56 | 0.15 | −0.01 |
| | Outdoors | | | | | | 25 | 0.07 | — |
| | People's Party | | | | | | 23 | 0.06 | — |
| | United Future | | | | | | 23 | 0.06 | −0.15 |
| | Democrats | | | | | | 20 | 0.05 | −0.11 |
| | Mana | | | | | | 12 | 0.03 | −0.7 |
| | Internet | | | | | | 7 | 0.02 | −0.71 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 560 | | | 161 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 37,297 | | | 37,724 | | |
| | National hold | National hold | Majority | 1,706 | 4.57 | −8.27 | | | |

### 2014 election

2014 general election: Whanganui :
| 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 Chester Borrows | Y Chester Borrows | 18,649 | 53.15 | -0.54 | 16,687 | 47.13 | -0.43 |
| | Labour | Hamish McDouall | Hamish McDouall | 14,144 | 40.31 | +2.80 | 9,012 | 25.45 | -1.96 |
| | Conservative | Kim MacIntyre | Kim MacIntyre | 872 | 2.49 | +2.49 | 1,771 | 5.00 | +1.77 |
| | Māori Party | Nancy Tuaine | Nancy Tuaine | 610 | 1.74 | +1.74 | 205 | 0.58 | +0.13 |
| | ACT | Alan Daniel Davidson | Alan Daniel Davidson | 252 | 0.72 | +0.29 | 167 | 0.47 | -0.61 |
| | Democrats | Heather Marion Smith | Heather Marion Smith | 208 | 0.59 | +0.20 | 57 | 0.16 | +0.01 |
| | NZ First | | | | | | 4,221 | 11.92 | +2.39 |
| | Green | | | | | | 2,546 | 7.19 | -1.77 |
| | Internet Mana | | | | | | 259 | 0.73 | +0.49 |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 190 | 0.54 | -0.01 |
| | United Future | | | | | | 75 | 0.21 | -0.24 |
| | Ban 1080 | | | | | | 56 | 0.16 | +0.16 |
| | Civilian | | | | | | 22 | 0.06 | +0.06 |
| | Focus | | | | | | 14 | 0.04 | +0.04 |
| | Independent Coalition | | | | | | 13 | 0.04 | +0.04 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 350 | | | 112 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 35,085 | | | 35,407 | | |
| | National hold | National hold | Majority | 4,505 | 12.84 | -3.34 | | | |

### 2011 election

2011 general election: Whanganui :
| 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 Chester Borrows | Y Chester Borrows | 16,743 | 53.69 | -2.61 | 15,151 | 47.56 | +1.25 |
| | Labour | Hamish McDouall | Hamish McDouall | 11,697 | 37.51 | -0.10 | 8,733 | 27.41 | -8.10 |
| | Green | John Milnes | John Milnes | 1,444 | 4.63 | +0.19 | 2,855 | 8.96 | +3.68 |
| | NZ First | Ian Brougham | Ian Brougham | 1,043 | 3.34 | +3.34 | 3,035 | 9.53 | +4.39 |
| | ACT | Alan Daniel Davidson | Alan Daniel Davidson | 135 | 0.43 | -0.56 | 345 | 1.08 | -1.99 |
| | Democrats | Heather Marion Smith | Heather Marion Smith | 121 | 0.39 | -0.28 | 47 | 0.15 | -0.07 |
| | Conservative | | | | | | 1,030 | 3.23 | -+3.23 |
| | Māori Party | | | | | | 225 | 0.71 | -0.29 |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 176 | 0.55 | +0.21 |
| | United Future | | | | | | 143 | 0.45 | -0.20 |
| | Mana | | | | | | 75 | 0.24 | +0.24 |
| | Libertarianz | | | | | | 22 | 0.07 | +0.02 |
| | Alliance | | | | | | 21 | 0.07 | -0.02 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 616 | | | 235 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 31,183 | | | 31,858 | | |
| | National hold | National hold | Majority | 5,046 | 16.18 | -2.51 | | | |
Electorate (as at 11 November 2011): 43,350

### 2008 election

2008 general election: Whanganui :
| 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 Chester Borrows | Y Chester Borrows | 19,072 | 56.30 | | 15,869 | 46.30 | |
| | Labour | Hamish McDouall | Hamish McDouall | 12,739 | 37.61 | | 12,170 | 35.51 | |
| | Green | John Milnes | John Milnes | 1,503 | 4.44 | | 1,809 | 5.28 | |
| | ACT | Alan Davidson | Alan Davidson | 336 | 0.99 | | 1,052 | 3.07 | |
| | Democrats | Heather Marion Smith | Heather Marion Smith | 225 | 0.66 | | 73 | 0.21 | |
| | NZ First | | | | | | 1,761 | 5.14 | |
| | Māori Party | | | | | | 342 | 1.00 | |
| | Progressive | | | | | | 253 | 0.74 | |
| | Bill and Ben | | | | | | 249 | 0.73 | |
| | United Future | | | | | | 224 | 0.65 | |
| | Kiwi | | | | | | 186 | 0.54 | |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 116 | 0.34 | |
| | Family Party | | | | | | 91 | 0.27 | |
| | Alliance | | | | | | 28 | 0.08 | |
| | Libertarianz | | | | | | 18 | 0.05 | |
| | Workers Party | | | | | | 16 | 0.05 | |
| | Pacific | | | | | | 10 | 0.03 | |
| | RONZ | | | | | | 3 | 0.01 | |
| | RAM | | | | | | 2 | 0.01 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 304 | | | 162 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 33,875 | | | 34,272 | | |
| | National hold | National hold | Majority | 6,333 | | | | | |

### 2005 election

2005 general election: Whanganui :
| 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 | Chester Borrows | Chester Borrows | 15,846 | 49.28 | +9.70 | 13,417 | 41.13 | |
| | Labour | N Jill Pettis | N Jill Pettis | 13,444 | 41.81 | -4.56 | 13,045 | 39.99 | |
| | Green | John Milnes | John Milnes | 1,171 | 3.64 | | 1,466 | 4.49 | |
| | United Future | David Ball | David Ball | 502 | 1.56 | | 885 | 2.71 | |
| | Māori Party | Aaron Makutu | Aaron Makutu | 429 | 1.33 | | 265 | 0.841 | |
| | Progressive | Debbie Lucas | Debbie Lucas | 371 | 1.15 | | 448 | 1.37 | |
| | One NZ | Ian Brougham | Ian Brougham | 214 | 0.67 | | 52 | 0.16 | |
| | Democrats | Malcolm Murchie | Malcolm Murchie | 175 | 0.54 | | 68 | 0.21 | |
| | NZ First | | | | | | 2,185 | 6.70 | |
| | ACT | | | | | | 296 | 0.91 | |
| | Destiny | | | | | | 282 | 0.86 | |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 68 | 0.21 | |
| | Christian Heritage | | | | | | 62 | 0.19 | |
| | Alliance | | | | | | 31 | 0.10 | |
| | 99 MP | | | | | | 18 | 0.06 | |
| | Libertarianz | | | | | | 16 | 0.05 | |
| | Family Rights | | | | | | 7 | 0.02 | |
| | RONZ | | | | | | 7 | 0.02 | |
| | Direct Democracy | | | | | | 6 | 0.02 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 376 | | | 144 | | |
| | National gain from Labour | National gain from Labour | Majority | 2,402 | 7.47 | +14.26 | | | |

### 1999 election

Refer to Candidates in the New Zealand general election 1999 by electorate#Whanganui for a list of candidates.

### 1993 election

1993 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Jill Pettis | 7,399 | 36.62 | +5.58 |
| | National | Gael Donoghue | 4,028 | 19.93 | |
| | NZ First | Terry Heffernan | 3,621 | 17.92 | −11.36 |
| | Independent | Cam Campion | 2,525 | 12.49 | −20.55 |
| | Alliance | Fred Frederiske | 2,253 | 11.15 | |
| | Christian Heritage | J Rush | 378 | 1.87 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,371 | 16.68 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 20,204 | 85.56 | −1.17 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 23,612 | | |

### 1990 election

1990 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | Cam Campion | 6,751 | 33.04 | |
| | Labour | Jill Pettis | 6,342 | 31.04 | |
| | Democrats | Terry Heffernan | 5,983 | 29.28 | −5.58 |
| | Green | Terry Sarten | 762 | 3.72 | |
| | NewLabour | M Blakely | 446 | 2.18 | |
| | Social Credit | G Butler | 123 | 0.60 | |
| | Independent | C Fackney | 22 | 0.10 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 409 | 2.00 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 20,429 | 86.73 | −4.59 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 23,554 | | |

### 1987 election

1987 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Russell Marshall | 7,548 | 36.05 | −10.67 |
| | Democrats | Terry Heffernan | 7,300 | 34.86 | +5.76 |
| | National | Allan Anderson | 6,089 | 29.08 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 248 | 1.18 | −15.13 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 20,937 | 91.32 | −1.48 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 22,925 | | |

### 1984 election

1984 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Russell Marshall | 10,391 | 46.72 | +6.28 |
| | Social Credit | Terry Heffernan | 6,473 | 29.10 | −3.47 |
| | National | Sue Westwood | 4,579 | 20.58 | |
| | NZ Party | Ian David Harrex | 751 | 3.37 | |
| | Independent | T L Sullivan | 47 | 0.21 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,918 | 17.61 | +9.75 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 22,241 | 92.80 | +2.53 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 23,965 | | |

### 1981 election

1981 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Russell Marshall | 8,572 | 40.44 | −6.33 |
| | Social Credit | Terry Heffernan | 6,904 | 32.57 | |
| | National | Jennifer Tolhurst | 5,719 | 26.98 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,668 | 7.86 | −7.09 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 21,195 | 90.27 | +15.50 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 23,477 | | |

### 1978 election

1978 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Russell Marshall | 9,703 | 46.77 | +0.15 |
| | National | John Rowan | 6,601 | 31.82 | −8.57 |
| | Social Credit | Oliver Marks | 3,956 | 19.07 | +9.38 |
| | Values | Ross Holmes | 449 | 2.16 | |
| | Independent | T L Sullivan | 34 | 0.16 | +0.08 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,102 | 14.95 | +8.73 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 20,743 | 74.77 | −13.27 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 27,741 | | |

### 1975 election

1975 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Russell Marshall | 9,313 | 46.62 | −7.75 |
| | National | John Rowan | 8,069 | 40.39 | |
| | Social Credit | Oliver Marks | 1,937 | 9.69 | |
| | Values | Roger Angus | 541 | 2.70 | |
| | Christian Democratic | Tom Fouhy | 100 | 0.50 | |
| | Independent | T L Sullivan | 16 | 0.08 | −0.19 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,244 | 6.22 | −9.45 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 19,976 | 88.04 | −4.04 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 22,689 | | |

### 1972 election

1972 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Russell Marshall | 9,987 | 54.37 | |
| | National | Bill Tolhurst | 7,108 | 38.70 | −9.34 |
| | Social Credit | J S Humphreys | 1,168 | 6.35 | −2.73 |
| | New Democratic | R A Dowdie | 53 | 0.28 | |
| | Independent | T L Sullivan | 50 | 0.27 | +0.09 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,879 | 15.67 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 18,366 | 92.08 | +0.72 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 19,944 | | |

### 1969 election

1969 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | Bill Tolhurst | 8,233 | 48.04 | |
| | Labour | George Spooner | 7,274 | 42.44 | +0.59 |
| | Social Credit | J S Humphreys | 1,557 | 9.08 | |
| | Independent | D M Lewis | 40 | 0.23 | |
| | Independent | T L Sullivan | 32 | 0.18 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 959 | 5.59 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 17,136 | 91.36 | +1.34 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 18,755 | | |

### 1966 election

1966 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | George Spooner | 6,499 | 41.85 | −4.42 |
| | National | John Grace | 5,591 | 36.01 | −1.56 |
| | Social Credit | Percival John Dempsey | 3,206 | 20.64 | +4.50 |
| | Christian Democratic | D G Tumery | 233 | 1.50 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 908 | 5.84 | −2.86 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 15,529 | 90.02 | −3.01 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 17,249 | | |

### 1963 election

1963 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | George Spooner | 7,430 | 46.27 | +6.11 |
| | National | John Grace | 6,033 | 37.57 | |
| | Social Credit | Percival John Dempsey | 2,593 | 16.14 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,397 | 8.70 | +7.65 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 16,056 | 93.03 | +0.51 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 17,258 | | |

### 1960 election

1960 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | George Spooner | 6,071 | 40.16 | |
| | National | E J Crotty | 5,911 | 39.10 | |
| | Social Credit | Roly Marks | 3,132 | 20.72 | −1.71 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 160 | 1.05 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 15,114 | 92.52 | −2.12 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 16,335 | | |

### 1957 election

1957 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joe Cotterill | 6,550 | 43.49 | +5.05 |
| | National | Alice Kathleen Maclean | 5,131 | 34.07 | |
| | Social Credit | Roly Marks | 3,378 | 22.43 | −2.96 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,419 | 9.42 | +7.13 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 15,059 | 94.64 | +3.29 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 15,911 | | |

### 1954 election

1954 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joe Cotterill | 5,115 | 38.44 | −12.41 |
| | National | Jack Rumbold | 4,810 | 36.15 | |
| | Social Credit | Roly Marks | 3,378 | 25.39 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 305 | 2.29 | +0.59 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 13,303 | 91.35 | +2.43 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 14,562 | | |

### 1951 election

1951 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joe Cotterill | 6,779 | 50.85 | −2.89 |
| | National | Ernest Victor O'Keefe | 6,553 | 49.15 | +2.89 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 226 | 1.70 | −5.76 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 13,332 | 88.92 | −2.93 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 14,993 | | |

### 1949 election

1949 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joe Cotterill | 7,336 | 53.74 | −3.31 |
| | National | Ernest Victor O'Keefe | 6,317 | 46.26 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,019 | 7.46 | −6.62 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 13,653 | 91.85 | −0.84 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 14,863 | | |

### 1946 election

1946 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joe Cotterill | 7,833 | 57.05 | +8.00 |
| | National | Eric Merewether | 5,899 | 42.95 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,934 | 14.08 | +3.78 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 13,732 | 92.69 | −4.00 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 14,814 | | |

### 1943 election

1943 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joe Cotterill | 6,691 | 49.05 | −15.34 |
| | National | Eric James Kirk | 4,254 | 31.18 | |
| | Real Democracy | Roly Marks | 1,722 | 12.62 | |
| | Democratic Labour | Sydney Duffy | 832 | 6.09 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 142 | 1.04 | +0.58 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,437 | 17.86 | +11.38 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 13,641 | 96.69 | +1.95 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 14,107 | | |

### 1938 election

1938 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joe Cotterill | 8,630 | 64.39 | +18.09 |
| | National | Henry Charles Veitch | 4,710 | 35.14 | +3.70 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 62 | 0.46 | −0.20 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,920 | 29.24 | +14.38 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 13,402 | 94.74 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 14,145 | | |

### 1935 election

1935 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joe Cotterill | 4,887 | 46.66 | |
| | Democrat | Bill Veitch | 3,318 | 31.68 | −21.39 |
| | Reform | Norman Rhind Bain | 1,754 | 16.74 | |
| | Independent Liberal | James Thomas Hogan | 524 | 5.00 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 61 | 0.58 | +0.06 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,569 | 14.98 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 10,473 | 91.59 | +8.41 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,434 | | |

### 1931 election

1931 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | United | Bill Veitch | 5,096 | 53.07 | +5.52 |
| | Labour | Bill Rogers | 4,506 | 46.93 | +19.79 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 590 | 6.14 | −14.26 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 50 | 0.52 | −0.05 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,652 | 83.18 | −4.55 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,604 | | |

### 1928 election

1928 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | United | Bill Veitch | 4,979 | 47.55 | +4.28 |
| | Labour | Bill Rogers | 2,842 | 27.14 | +4.80 |
| | Reform | N. G. Lewis | 2,650 | 25.31 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,137 | 20.41 | +11.52 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 60 | 0.57 | −0.11 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 10,531 | 87.73 | −4.09 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,004 | | |

### 1925 election

1925 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Bill Veitch | 4,339 | 43.27 | −8.12 |
| | Reform | John Coull | 3,448 | 34.39 | |
| | Labour | Bill Rogers | 2,240 | 22.34 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 891 | 8.89 | −2.96 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 69 | 0.68 | −0.06 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 10,096 | 91.82 | +0.83 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,996 | | |

### 1922 election

1922 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Bill Veitch | 4,648 | 51.39 | −0.77 |
| | Reform | John Coull | 3,576 | 39.54 | |
| | Labour | James Ross | 752 | 8.31 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 67 | 0.74 | −0.18 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,072 | 11.85 | −8.61 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,043 | 90.99 | +11.88 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,938 | | |

### 1919 election

1919 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent Labour | Bill Veitch | 4,340 | 52.16 | +9.98 |
| | Reform | William J. Cuttle | 2,637 | 31.69 | |
| | Labour | Lew McIlvride | 1,266 | 15.21 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 77 | 0.92 | −0.03 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,703 | 20.46 | +9.67 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,320 | 79.21 | −5.27 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,503 | | |

### 1914 election

1914 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | United Labour | Bill Veitch | 3,330 | 42.18 | −15.81 |
| | Independent | Frederick Pirani | 2,478 | 31.39 | |
| | Liberal–Labour | James Thomas Hogan | 2,086 | 26.42 | −15.27 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 75 | 0.95 | +0.64 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 852 | 10.79 | −5.50 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,894 | 84.48 | +4.49 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,344 | | |

### 1911 election

1911 general election: Wanganui, first ballot :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent Labour | Bill Veitch | 2,295 | 31.01 | |
| | Liberal–Labour | James Thomas Hogan | 2,220 | 30.00 | −15.85 |
| | Reform | George Hutchison | 1,690 | 22.84 | −5.53 |
| | Independent | Charles Mackay | 1,117 | 15.09 | −10.69 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 51 | 0.68 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,399 | 83.40 | +5.34 |
| Second ballot result ||||||
| | Independent Labour | Bill Veitch | 4,115 | 57.99 | +26.98 |
| | Liberal–Labour | James Thomas Hogan | 2,959 | 41.69 | +11.69 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 22 | 0.31 | −0.37 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,156 | 16.29 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,096 | 79.99 | −3.41 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,871 | | |

### 1908 election

1908 general election: Wanganui, first ballot :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal–Labour | James Thomas Hogan | 3,041 | 45.85 | |
| | Conservative | George Hutchison | 1,882 | 28.37 | |
| | Independent | Charles Mackay | 1,710 | 25.78 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,159 | 17.47 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,633 | 78.06 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,497 | | |
| Second ballot result ||||||
| | Liberal–Labour | James Thomas Hogan | 3,602 | 54.30 | +8.46 |
| | Conservative | George Hutchison | 2,860 | 43.12 | 14.74 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 742 | 11.19 | −6.29 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,462 | 76.05 | −2.01 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,497 | | |

### 1899 election

1899 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal | Archibald Willis | 2,878 | 55.83 |
| | Conservative | Gilbert Carson | 2,169 | 42.08 |
| | Independent Liberal | John Michael Murphy | 108 | 2.10 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 709 | 13.75 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,155 | 80.53 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 6,401 | |

### 1893 by-election

1893 Wanganui by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal | Archibald Willis | 1,031 | 62.37 |
| | Conservative | Gilbert Carson | 622 | 37.62 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 409 | 24.74 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,653 | |

### 1890 election

1890 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | John Ballance | 808 | 50.85 | −15.95 |
| | Conservative | Gilbert Carson | 781 | 49.15 | +15.95 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 27 | 1.69 | −31.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,589 | 75.20 | −4.19 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,113 | | |

### 1887 election

1887 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | John Ballance | 865 | 66.80 |
| | Independent | Gilbert Carson | 430 | 33.20 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 435 | 33.59 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,295 | 79.39 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,631 | |

### 1884 election

1884 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | John Ballance | 541 | 60.11 | +10.36 |
| | Independent | George Hutchison | 205 | 22.77 | |
| | Independent | William Hogg Watt | 154 | 17.11 | −33.14 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 336 | 37.33 | 2.69 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 900 | 66.86 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,346 | | |

### 1881 election

1881 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | William Hogg Watt | 397 | 50.25 | |
| | Independent | John Ballance | 393 | 49.75 | −18.28 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4 | 0.50 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 790 | 64.17 | +4.44 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,231 | | |

### 1879 election

1879 general election: Wanganui :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | John Bryce | 560 | 69.65 |
| | Independent | John Ballance | 547 | 68.03 |
| | Independent | Sir William Fox | 501 | 62.31 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 46 | 5.72 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 804 | 59.73 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,346 | |

### 1876 by-election

1876 Wanganui by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | William Fox | 256 | 60.81 |
| | Independent | John Morgan | 165 | 39.19 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 421 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 91 | 21.62 |

### 1867 by-election

1867 Wanganui by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Henry Shafto Harrison | 143 | 57.66 |
| | Independent | William Hutchison | 105 | 42.34 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 248 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 38 | 15.32 |