The Rimutaka Electorate 

The Rimutaka electorate covers the northern part of the Hutt Valley. The electorate runs south from the top of the Rimutaka hill, taking in Upper Hutt and it’s northern suburbs such as Plateau, Birchville, Timberlea, and Totara Park. To the East the electorate takes in Mangaroa, Whitemans Valley and Blue Mountains. To the south the electorate extends to include Stokes Valley, Pomare, Taita, Kelson, Belmont, and most of Avalon.

The electorate spans the borders of two local authorities, the Upper Hutt City Council and the Hutt City Council. Those living within the geographical boundaries of the Rimutaka electorate who are on the Maori roll vote in the Ikaroa Rawhiti electorate. The health needs of Rimutaka citizens are covered by the Hutt Valley District Health Board.

The electorate has a population of over 56,000 people. 11.4 percent of those living in Rimutaka are 65 years of age or older. Over 60 percent are below the age of 40. The majority of the population are European (Pakeha), while just under 15 precent are Maori, 8 percent Pacific Island and 4.8 percent Asian.

Further statistical information on the Rimutaka electorate can be obtained by clicking on the links above.

Previous Election Results

Chris Hipkins was elected as the Member of Parliament for Rimutaka on 8 November 2008. He captured 13,735 votes, retaining the previously Labour-held seat with a majority of 753. The Labour Party captured 14,685 party votes in Rimutaka, compared with the National Party’s 14,452, a party vote majority of 233. Voter turnout in 2008 was 82.77%, down slightly on 2005 numbers.

The winning candidate in the 2005 election, Labour’s Paul Swain, captured a majority (54.74%) of the 34,128 valid electorate votes cast for candidates in the Rimutaka electorate. In 2005 the Labour Party captured a plurality (47.80%) of the party votes in Rimutaka, up about 1 percentage points on its party vote share in 2002. Turnout (total votes cast as a proportion of enrolled electors) in 2005 was 83.44%.

The seat was also held in 2002 by Paul Swain with a margin of 12,615.

More information on previous election results can be found at: www.elections.govt.nz