# Whangārei (New Zealand electorate)

Whangārei (formerly Whangarei) is a New Zealand parliamentary electorate that was first created for the 1972 election. The electorate is usually a reasonably safe National seat, and was held for long periods by John Banks (1981–1999) and Phil Heatley (1999–2014), before being won in the 2014 election by Shane Reti. In the 2020 election Reti narrowly lost the seat to Labour's Emily Henderson. Reti would reclaim the seat at the 2023 election with a huge majority.

## Population centres

Since the 1969 election, the number of electorates in the South Island was fixed at 25, with continued faster population growth in the North Island leading to an increase in the number of general electorates. There were 84 electorates for the 1969 election, and the 1972 electoral redistribution saw three additional general seats created for the North Island, bringing the total number of electorates to 87. Together with increased urbanisation in Christchurch and Nelson, the changes proved very disruptive to existing electorates. In the South Island, three electorates were abolished, and three electorates were newly created. In the North Island, five electorates were abolished, two electorates were recreated, and six electorates were newly created (including Whangārei).
The boundaries of the Whangārei electorate were adjusted for the 1999 election; before then, the electorate bordered onto the Kaipara Harbour. Redistributions in 2002, 2007, and 2013/14 did not change the boundaries further. Changes ahead of the 2020 election moved Poroti and Maungakaramea into the Northland electorate and also changed the electorate's name from Whangarei to Whangārei.
The electorate includes the following population centres:
* Whangārei
* Hikurangi
* Ruakaka
It extends from Hikurangi in the north to Ruatangata and Maungatapere in the west and Waipu and Langs Beach in the south.

## History

The electorate was created for the 1972 election. It was won by the Labour Party in that election, but was then held by the National Party until 2020. Phil Heatley held it from 1999 until he retired in 2014. Shane Reti stood for National in the 2014 election and had a large margin over Labour's Kelly Ellis.

### Members of Parliament

Unless otherwise stated, all MPs terms began and ended at a general election.
Key
| Labour | National |
| NZ First | ACT |
| Election | Winner |
| 1972 election | Murray Smith |
| 1975 election | John Elliott |
| 1978 election | John Elliott |
| 1981 election | John Banks |
| 1984 election | John Banks |
| 1987 election | John Banks |
| 1990 election | John Banks |
| 1993 election | John Banks |
| 1996 election | John Banks |
| 1999 election | Phil Heatley |
| 2002 election | Phil Heatley |
| 2005 election | Phil Heatley |
| 2008 election | Phil Heatley |
| 2011 election | Phil Heatley |
| 2014 election | Shane Reti |
| 2017 election | Shane Reti |
| 2020 election | Emily Henderson |
| 2023 election | Shane Reti |

### List MPs

Members of Parliament elected from party lists in elections where that person also unsuccessfully contested the Whangārei electorate. Unless otherwise stated, all MPs terms began and ended at general elections.
| Election | Winner |
| 1996 election | Brian Donnelly |
| 1996 election | Muriel Newman |
| 1999 election | Brian Donnelly (2nd time) |
| 1999 election | Muriel Newman (2nd time) |
| 2002 election | Brian Donnelly (3rd time) |
| 2002 election | Muriel Newman (3rd time) |
| 2005 election | Brian Donnelly (4th time) $^1$ |
| 2014 election | Pita Paraone |
| 2017 election | Shane Jones |
| 2020 election | Shane Reti |
$^1$Donnelly resigned in February 2008 when appointed High Commissioner to the Cook Islands

## Election results
### 2023 election

2023 general election: Whangārei :
| 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 | Shane Reti | Shane Reti | 20,843 | 48.77 | +8.95 | 16,441 | 37.92 | +11.73 |
| | Labour | Angie Warren-Clark | Angie Warren-Clark | 9,419 | 22.04 | -18.77 | 9,698 | 22.37 | -24.91 |
| | NZ First | Gavin Benney | Gavin Benney | 5,371 | 12.56 | +9.06 | 5,673 | 13.08 | +7.96 |
| | Green | Rick Bazeley | Rick Bazeley | 2,680 | 6.27 | +2.53 | 4,075 | 9.40 | +3.22 |
| | ACT | Susy Bretherton | Susy Bretherton | 1,222 | 2.85 | -2.08 | 3,954 | 9.12 | +0.88 |
| | NZ Loyal | Janita Andrews | Janita Andrews | 1006 | 2.35 | +2.35 | 905 | 2.08 | +2.08 |
| | Te Pāti Māori | Eru Kapa-Kingi | Eru Kapa-Kingi | 859 | 2.01 | +1.67 | 591 | 1.36 | +1.02 |
| | DemocracyNZ | Diana Burgess | Diana Burgess | 578 | 1.35 | +1.35 | 352 | 0.81 | +0.81 |
| | Legalise Cannabis | Jeni de Jonge | Jeni de Jonge | 612 | 1.43 | +0.06 | 249 | 0.57 | -0.05 |
| | Independent | Fiona Green | Fiona Green | 140 | 0.32 | +0.32 | | | |
| | Opportunities | | | | | | 730 | 1.68 | +0.18 |
| | NewZeal | | | | | | 336 | 0.77 | +0.77 |
| | Freedoms NZ | | | | | | 110 | 0.25 | +0.25 |
| | Animal Justice | | | | | | 77 | 0.17 | +0.17 |
| | New Conservatives | | | | | | 55 | 0.12 | -1.72 |
| | New Nation | | | | | | 35 | 0.08 | +0.08 |
| | Women's Rights | | | | | | 35 | 0.08 | +0.08 |
| | Leighton Baker Party | | | | | | 32 | 0.07 | +0.07 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 394 | | | 286 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 42,730 | | | 43,348 | | |
| | National gain from Labour | National gain from Labour | Majority | 11,424 | 26.73 | | | | |

### 2020 election

2020 general election: Whangārei :
| 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 | Emily Henderson | Emily Henderson | 17,823 | 40.81 | +21.62 | 20,942 | 47.28 | +15.75 |
| | National | N Shane Reti | N Shane Reti | 17,392 | 39.82 | −6.47 | 11,602 | 26.19 | −18.89 |
| | ACT | David Seymour | David Seymour | 2,153 | 4.93 | +4.47 | 3,650 | 8.24 | +7.76 |
| | Green | Moea Armstrong | Moea Armstrong | 1,635 | 3.74 | −8.29 | 2,738 | 6.18 | +0.50 |
| | NZ First | David Ashley Wilson | David Ashley Wilson | 1,527 | 3.50 | −15.41 | 2,268 | 5.12 | −8.97 |
| | Opportunities | Ciara Swords | Ciara Swords | 705 | 1.61 | — | 663 | 1.50 | −0.24 |
| | Advance NZ | Christopher Wetere | Christopher Wetere | 654 | 1.50 | — | 686 | 1.55 | — |
| | Legalise Cannabis | Jennifer de Jonge | Jennifer de Jonge | 597 | 1.37 | — | 274 | 0.62 | +0.29 |
| | New Conservative | Kerry Campbell | Kerry Campbell | 544 | 1.25 | +0.86 | 814 | 1.84 | +1.57 |
| | Social Credit | Chris Leitch | Chris Leitch | 356 | 0.82 | −1.61 | 133 | 0.30 | +0.13 |
| | ONE | Daniel Watts | Daniel Watts | 287 | 0.66 | — | 249 | 0.56 | — |
| | Māori Party | | | | | | 149 | 0.34 | +0.09 |
| | Vision NZ | | | | | | 44 | 0.10 | — |
| | Outdoors | | | | | | 42 | 0.09 | +0.02 |
| | Sustainable NZ | | | | | | 23 | 0.05 | — |
| | TEA | | | | | | 10 | 0.02 | — |
| | Heartland | | | | | | 4 | 0.01 | — |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 611 | | | 297 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 44,284 | | | 44,588 | | |
| | Labour gain from National | Labour gain from National | Majority | 431 | 0.97 | | | | |

### 2017 election

2017 general election: Whangarei :
| 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 Shane Reti | Y Shane Reti | 18,734 | 45.8 | −9.27 | 18,572 | 44.9 | −5.18 |
| | Labour | Tony John Savage | Tony John Savage | 7,767 | 19.0 | −0.01 | 12,993 | 31.4 | +13.61 |
| | NZ First | Shane Jones | Shane Jones | 7,651 | 18.7 | +10.64 | 5,804 | 14.01 | +0.65 |
| | Green | Ash Holwell | Ash Holwell | 4,868 | 11.9 | +3.24 | 2,342 | 5.65 | −4.12 |
| | Democrats | Chris Leitch | Chris Leitch | 994 | 2.43 | −0.25 | 71 | 0.17 | −0.14 |
| | ACT | Robin Grieve | Robin Grieve | 188 | 0.46 | −0.32 | 198 | 0.48 | −0.05 |
| | Conservative | Jim Taylor | Jim Taylor | 158 | 0.39 | −2.30 | 113 | 0.27 | −4.94 |
| | Independent | Marie Minhinnick | Marie Minhinnick | 110 | 0.27 | −0.66 | | | |
| | Opportunities | | | | | | 716 | 1.73 | – |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 135 | 0.33 | −0.17 |
| | Māori Party | | | | | | 101 | 0.24 | −0.29 |
| | Mana | | | | | | 43 | 0.1 | −0.94 |
| | Ban 1080 | | | | | | 39 | 0.09 | −0.01 |
| | Outdoors | | | | | | 28 | 0.07 | – |
| | United Future | | | | | | 19 | 0.046 | −0.47 |
| | People's Party | | | | | | 18 | 0.043 | – |
| | Internet | | | | | | 10 | 0.02 | −1.02 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 396 | | | 204 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 40,866 | | | 41,406 | | |
| | National hold | National hold | Majority | 10,967 | 26.84 | −9.22 | | | |

### 2014 election

2014 general election: Whangarei :
| 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 | Shane Reti | Shane Reti | 20,111 | 55.07 | -4.11 | 18,503 | 50.08 | -0.59 |
| | Labour | Kelly Ellis | Kelly Ellis | 6,942 | 19.01 | -3.43 | 6,575 | 17.79 | -2.54 |
| | Green | Paul Doherty | Paul Doherty | 3,163 | 8.66 | -0.17 | 3,611 | 9.77 | -0.87 |
| | NZ First | Pita Paraone | Pita Paraone | 2,944 | 8.06 | +3.60 | 4,936 | 13.36 | +3.68 |
| | Conservative | Don Nightingale | Don Nightingale | 984 | 2.69 | -0.69 | 1,925 | 5.21 | +0.99 |
| | Democrats | Chris Leitch | Chris Leitch | 978 | 2.68 | +2.26 | 116 | 0.31 | +0.07 |
| | Internet | David Currin | David Currin | 341 | 0.93 | +0.93 | | | |
| | Māori Party | Anaru Kaipo | Anaru Kaipo | 300 | 0.82 | +0.82 | 196 | 0.53 | -0.08 |
| | ACT | Robin Grieve | Robin Grieve | 285 | 0.78 | -0.22 | 205 | 0.55 | -1.18 |
| | Focus | Les King | Les King | 136 | 0.37 | +0.37 | 34 | 0.09 | +0.09 |
| | Internet Mana | | | | | | 386 | 1.04 | +0.35 |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 183 | 0.50 | -0.03 |
| | United Future | | | | | | 93 | 0.25 | -0.27 |
| | Ban 1080 | | | | | | 38 | 0.10 | +0.10 |
| | Civilian | | | | | | 16 | 0.04 | +0.04 |
| | Independent Coalition | | | | | | 15 | 0.04 | +0.04 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 336 | | | 117 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 36,520 | | | 36,949 | | |
| | National hold | National hold | Majority | 13,169 | 36.06 | -0.68 | | | |

### 2011 election

2011 general election: Whangarei :
| 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 Phil Heatley | Y Phil Heatley | 20,049 | 59.18 | -4.98 | 17,486 | 50.67 | +0.63 |
| | Labour | Pat Newman | Pat Newman | 7,602 | 22.44 | -0.92 | 7,017 | 20.33 | -8.27 |
| | Green | Rick Bazeley | Rick Bazeley | 2,993 | 8.83 | +1.23 | 3,673 | 10.64 | +4.65 |
| | NZ First | Pita Paraone | Pita Paraone | 1,512 | 4.46 | +4.46 | 3,340 | 9.68 | +3.52 |
| | Conservative | Ross Craig | Ross Craig | 1,146 | 3.38 | +3.38 | 1,457 | 4.22 | +4.22 |
| | ACT | Robin Grieve | Robin Grieve | 338 | 1.00 | +0.15 | 596 | 1.73 | -2.07 |
| | Democrats | Edgar Kenneth Goodhue | Edgar Kenneth Goodhue | 142 | 0.42 | -0.08 | 84 | 0.24 | +0.06 |
| | Libertarianz | Helen Hughes | Helen Hughes | 97 | 0.29 | +0.12 | 31 | 0.09 | +0.04 |
| | Mana | | | | | | 238 | 0.69 | +0.69 |
| | Māori Party | | | | | | 212 | 0.61 | -0.30 |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 184 | 0.53 | +0.07 |
| | United Future | | | | | | 180 | 0.52 | -0.19 |
| | Alliance | | | | | | 14 | 0.04 | -0.01 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 654 | | | 287 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 33,879 | | | 34,512 | | |
| | National hold | National hold | Majority | 12,447 | 36.74 | -4.06 | | | |
Electorate (as at 26 November 2011): 46,511

### 2008 election

2008 general election: Whangarei :
| 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 Phil Heatley | Y Phil Heatley | 23,056 | 64.16 | | 18,252 | 50.04 | |
| | Labour | Paul Chalmers | Paul Chalmers | 8,393 | 23.36 | | 10,433 | 28.60 | |
| | Green | Paul Doherty | Paul Doherty | 2,731 | 7.60 | | 2,187 | 6.00 | |
| | Progressive | Viv Shepherd | Viv Shepherd | 636 | 1.77 | | 531 | 1.46 | |
| | ACT | Thomas John McClelland | Thomas John McClelland | 304 | 0.85 | | 1,385 | 3.80 | |
| | RAM | Martin Kaipo | Martin Kaipo | 281 | 0.78 | | 25 | 0.07 | |
| | Democrats | Edgar Kenneth Goodhue | Edgar Kenneth Goodhue | 179 | 0.50 | | 66 | 0.18 | |
| | Independent | Simon Vallings | Simon Vallings | 113 | 0.31 | | | | |
| | United Future | Maureen Gunston | Maureen Gunston | 107 | 0.30 | | 260 | 0.71 | |
| | Independent | Don Hedges | Don Hedges | 74 | 0.21 | | | | |
| | Libertarianz | Helen Hughes | Helen Hughes | 61 | 0.17 | | 18 | 0.05 | |
| | NZ First | | | | | | 2,246 | 6.16 | |
| | Māori Party | | | | | | 333 | 0.91 | |
| | Bill and Ben | | | | | | 231 | 0.63 | |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 169 | 0.46 | |
| | Kiwi | | | | | | 167 | 0.46 | |
| | Family Party | | | | | | 128 | 0.35 | |
| | Alliance | | | | | | 17 | 0.05 | |
| | Workers Party | | | | | | 13 | 0.04 | |
| | Pacific | | | | | | 12 | 0.03 | |
| | RONZ | | | | | | 3 | 0.01 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 413 | | | 240 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 35,935 | | | 36,476 | | |
| | National hold | National hold | Majority | 14,663 | 40.80 | | | | |

### 2005 election

2005 general election: Whangarei :
| 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 Phil Heatley | Y Phil Heatley | 18,900 | 53.81 | +10.56 | 15,333 | 43.11 | |
| | Labour | Paul Chalmers | Paul Chalmers | 9,811 | 27.93 | -5.27 | 12,884 | 36.22 | |
| | NZ First | Brian Donnelly | Brian Donnelly | 2,983 | 8.49 | -3.31 | 3,217 | 9.04 | |
| | Green | Moea Armstrong | Moea Armstrong | 1,240 | 3.53 | | 1,648 | 4.63 | |
| | ACT | Muriel Newman | Muriel Newman | 1,067 | 3.04 | | 707 | 1.99 | |
| | Māori Party | Rangi Ngāti Huna Tahiao | Rangi Ngāti Huna Tahiao | 384 | 1.09 | | 264 | 0.74 | |
| | Progressive | Viv Shepherd | Viv Shepherd | 311 | 0.89 | | 409 | 1.15 | |
| | Destiny | Tony Ford | Tony Ford | 178 | 0.51 | | 240 | 0.67 | |
| | United Future | Craig Hunt | Craig Hunt | 168 | 0.48 | | 637 | 1.79 | |
| | Libertarianz | Helen Hughes | Helen Hughes | 80 | 0.23 | | 39 | 0.11 | |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 81 | 0.23 | |
| | Christian Heritage | | | | | | 46 | 0.13 | |
| | Democrats | | | | | | 23 | 0.06 | |
| | Alliance | | | | | | 19 | 0.05 | |
| | RONZ | | | | | | 6 | 0.02 | |
| | 99 MP | | | | | | 4 | 0.01 | |
| | Direct Democracy | | | | | | 4 | 0.01 | |
| | One NZ | | | | | | 4 | 0.01 | |
| | Family Rights | | | | | | 3 | 0.01 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 243 | | | 117 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 35,122 | | | 35,568 | | |
| | National hold | National hold | Majority | 9,089 | 25.88 | +15.88 | | | |

### 2002 election

2002 general election: Whangarei :
| 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 Phil Heatley | Y Phil Heatley | 13,829 | 43.03 | | 7,493 | 23.17 | |
| | Labour | David Shearer | David Shearer | 10,615 | 33.03 | | 11,374 | 35.17 | |
| | NZ First | Brian Donnelly | Brian Donnelly | 3,774 | 11.74 | | 5,008 | 15.48 | |
| | ACT | Muriel Newman | Muriel Newman | 1,297 | 4.03 | | 2,623 | 8.11 | |
| | Green | Calvin Green | Calvin Green | 1,180 | 3.60 | | 2,111 | 6.52 | |
| | Christian Heritage | Rod Harris | Rod Harris | 521 | 1.62 | | 807 | 2.49 | |
| | United Future | Gary Phillips | Gary Phillips | 268 | 0.83 | | 1,483 | 4.58 | |
| | Alliance | Ticia Cutforth | Ticia Cutforth | 239 | 0.74 | | 351 | 1.08 | |
| | Progressive | David Wilson | David Wilson | 156 | 0.48 | | 394 | 1.21 | |
| | Libertarianz | Helen Hughes | Helen Hughes | 97 | 0.30 | | | | |
| | ORNZ | | | | | | 383 | 1.18 | |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 143 | 0.44 | |
| | One NZ | | | | | | 23 | 0.07 | |
| | Mana Māori | | | | | | 11 | 0.03 | |
| | NMP | | | | | | 3 | 0.009 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 159 | | | 125 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 32,135 | | | 32,332 | | |
| | National hold | National hold | Majority | 3,214 | 10.00 | | | | |

### 1999 election

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

### 1993 election

1993 general election: Whangarei :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | John Banks | 6,507 | 34.46 | −25.56 |
| | Labour | Mark Furey | 4,920 | 26.06 | |
| | NZ First | Brian Donnelly | 4,212 | 22.31 | |
| | Alliance | Kay Brittenden | 2,649 | 14.03 | |
| | Christian Heritage | Craig Smith | 275 | 1.45 | |
| | McGillicuddy Serious | Paull Gordon Cooke | 152 | 0.80 | |
| | Natural Law | Helen Treadwell | 75 | 0.39 | |
| | Independent | Paul Gourlie | 94 | 0.49 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,587 | 8.40 | −28.28 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 18,878 | 82.07 | −0.76 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 23,002 | | |

### 1990 election

1990 general election: Whangarei :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | John Banks | 11,191 | 60.02 | +3.95 |
| | Labour | Edna Tait | 4,352 | 23.34 | −13.44 |
| | Green | Derek Heath Keene | 1,801 | 9.65 | |
| | Social Credit | Joyce Ryan | 602 | 3.22 | |
| | NewLabour | Douglas Alexander Ewen | 419 | 2.24 | |
| | Independent | Les Gray | 175 | 0.93 | |
| | Democrats | Mary Schreurs | 105 | 0.56 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,839 | 36.68 | +17.39 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 18,645 | 82.83 | −4.33 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 22,508 | | |

### 1987 election

1987 general election: Whangarei :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | John Banks | 10,718 | 56.07 | +11.54 |
| | Labour | Edna Tait | 7,031 | 36.78 | |
| | Democrats | Chris Leitch | 1,364 | 7.13 | −4.47 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,687 | 19.29 | +10.19 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 19,113 | 87.16 | −5.24 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 21,928 | | |

### 1984 election

1984 general election: Whangarei :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | John Banks | 9,801 | 44.53 | +4.34 |
| | Labour | Barbara Magner | 7,798 | 35.43 | |
| | Social Credit | Chris Leitch | 2,553 | 11.60 | |
| | NZ Party | Richard Kroon | 1,809 | 8.22 | |
| | Mana Motuhake | Hana Maxwell | 45 | 0.20 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,003 | 9.10 | +1.22 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 22,006 | 92.40 | +3.06 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 23,814 | | |

### 1981 election

1981 general election: Whangarei :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | John Banks | 8,884 | 40.19 | |
| | Labour | Maurice Penney | 7,141 | 32.31 | |
| | Social Credit | Bill Fraser | 6,075 | 27.48 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,743 | 7.88 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 22,100 | 89.34 | +12.61 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 24,735 | | |

### 1978 election

1978 general election: Whangarei :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | John Elliott | 8,184 | 38.84 | −10.62 |
| | Labour | Colin Moyle | 7,008 | 33.26 | |
| | Social Credit | Joyce Ryan | 5,485 | 26.03 | +15.99 |
| | Values | Alan Harvey | 335 | 1.59 | |
| | Independent | Graham Frederick Lane | 57 | 0.27 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,176 | 5.58 | −7.18 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 21,069 | 76.73 | −9.94 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 27,457 | | |

### 1975 election

1975 general election: Whangarei :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | John Elliott | 10,502 | 49.46 | |
| | Labour | Murray Smith | 7,792 | 36.69 | −11.92 |
| | Social Credit | Joyce Ryan | 2,133 | 10.04 | +0.93 |
| | Values | Margaret Crozier | 805 | 3.79 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,710 | 12.76 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 21,232 | 86.67 | −3.48 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 24,495 | | |

### 1972 election

1972 general election: Whangarei :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Murray Smith | 8,441 | 48.61 |
| | National | Lawrence Carr | 7,261 | 41.81 |
| | Social Credit | Joyce Ryan | 1,582 | 9.11 |
| | Liberal Reform | G A Still | 49 | 0.28 |
| | New Democratic | B C Gaby | 30 | 0.17 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,180 | 6.79 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 17,363 | 90.15 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 19,258 | |