The Green Party has chosen Melody Willis to stand in the 2026 election for the new seat of Kāpiti which covers from Ōtaki to the northern suburbs of Porirua.
The Green Party says Melody is a passionate and pragmatic activist and advocate for people and the planet.
“Melody is a passionate activist, dedicated to effecting meaningful and positive change and grounded in principles of equity, sustainability, and mātauranga Māori – advocating for human and nonhuman animals alike.
“Melody is an experienced organiser with a background in operations, planning, and governance. She lives in Te Whanganui-a-Tara and, while continuing to work fulltime, has completed a BA on a full-time-equivalent basis through Victoria University of Wellington – double majoring in Māori Resource Management and Public Policy, with a minor in Political Science.
“She advocates to uplift, protect, and empower workers, nonhuman animals, and our most vulnerable, marginalised, and oppressed communities, including takatāpuhi and trans, disabled people, women, and mana whenua.”
Melody Willis was born in Kaitaia and grew up in Hamilton, spending holidays at her grandparent’s farm in the Bay of Islands. She returned to Aotearoa in 2019 after living in Australia for 15 years as an ‘overseas New Zealander’.
Other party candidates declared for the seat are CK Sng (Opportunity), Tim Costley (National), and Sophie Handford (Labour).