Costley came into the election as the sitting MP for Ōtaki which he won by 6271 votes in 2023.

In the current election the race was much closer but Costley led from the out set and the margin steadily increased as the night wore on. With 98.4% of the vote in Costley had an unassailable lead of 2103 votes.

Handford rang Costley to concede and said she congratulated him on the result.

“Thank you to every one of our supporters, our incredible volunteers, and everyone who gave me and Labour their vote. I’m so proud of the campaign we built together and of every conversation we had across our community.

“Tonight isn’t the result we were after in Kāpiti. But the makeup of the next government is still to be decided, and there’s more to come in the weeks ahead. I’ve just gotten off the phone with Tim and congratulated him on the result.”

For Handford the future remains as uncertain as the final outcome of the election.

At 26 on the Labour Party List Handford will be on the cusp of going to Parliament and potentially giving Kāpiti (and Waikanae) two MPs.

In a social media post Costley said “Thank you, thank you, thank you. Humbled to have the support of our community to serve as MP for Kāpiti.”

The overall outcome of the election is unlikely to be known for weeks as the parties negotiate. On election night both National and Labour had 29.3% of the total Party Vote. Labour had 701,941. just 62 votes ahead of National. The Greens had 318,889 in third. Below is the Party Vote for Kāpiti.

Visitors can browse a range of products created and sold by young people, from handmade gifts and jewellery to crafts, treats and Christmas goodies.

The Kids Market has recently been recognised for its commitment to youth development and sustainability, earning a place on the Sustainable Business Network’s Next List for 2026 and becoming a finalist in the Transformational Leadership category of the Sustainable Business Awards. It was also recognised in the 2Degrees Wellington Regional Business Awards for Excellence in Sustainable & Environmental Practices.

Sustainability is woven into the Kids Market experience, encouraging young entrepreneurs to think about their environmental impact through sustainable products, packaging and practical initiatives.

The market gives young people real-world business experience, helping them build confidence, develop practical skills and turn their ideas into action, while encouraging the next generation to think differently about business.

“There’s something special about seeing young people take an idea and turn it into a business. They’re learning by doing, building confidence and discovering what they’re capable of, all while having fun and being part of their community” Claire Roper, Kids Market Organiser

What: The Kids Christmas Market
When: Sunday 6 December 2026
Where: Ōtaki Market
Time: 10am-2pm

Cardiac arrest gives no warning and no second chances. The single biggest factor in survival is how quickly a defibrillator reaches the patient, and that is decided long before the emergency, by whoever chose to put an AED on the wall (or in the case, the fence).

Some facts:

• 1,500+ New Zealanders suffer sudden cardiac arrest in the community every year (NZ Heart Foundation).
• Survival drops 7 to 10% per minute without defibrillation (ANZCOR).
• Defibrillation within 3 minutes gives the best chance of survival, a window ambulance response usually cannot meet.
• Survival can more than double when immediate CPR and an AED are used together before the ambulance arrives.

Most cardiac arrests happen where people live, work and play, in front of bystanders who could act if the equipment were there.

So, congratulations to the Waikanae Downs community volunteers for installing this life-saving equipment.

NZTA says from Sunday 8 November, road users in the Wellington region can expect to see an increase in road maintenance activity on State Highway 1 Transmission Gully until March 2027.

The roadworks will impact southbound traffic, so people travelling from Kāpiti to Wellington. Drivers should consider using State Highway 59, especially at busy times such as morning peak hour (Monday to Friday 6am – 8am) and weekends.

NZTA says this is essential maintenance to help ensure Transmission Gully can continue to operate safely and efficiently. “We know this work will cause disruption, and we thank road users for their patience while it is carried out. NZTA’s plan is to bring Transmission Gully up to a modern motorway standard that is fit for purpose over the coming 20+ years.”

What’s happening

This season’s work will focus on drainage installation and pavement reconstruction on southbound sections of Transmission Gully that are in the poorest condition. The work will be between Paekākāriki and State Highway 58 Interchange. See work area map below.

NZTA says there will be some overnight resurfacing works in the northbound lanes, but this will only impact northbound traffic for a few nights.

Transmission Gully work area map

All the drainage and pavement reconstruction work is in the southbound lanes, as shown (sites 1 and 2). The minor resurfacing works are in the northbound lane (site 3). The sites in red are the major drainage and pavement reconstruction sites already completed last season.

Schedule

The work will happen in two main stages as follows.

Stage 1: Drainage installation works

• From Sunday 8 November night through until mid-December there will be 24/7 southbound lane closures, between Paekākāriki and SH58 Interchange.
• The lane closures will be in place at all times, and NZTA will reopen all southbound lanes ahead of Christmas.
• All lanes will be open over the Christmas holidays.
• “We’ll need to close the SH58 Haywards southbound offramp in approximately late November for a few days and nights. We’ll update the schedule closer to the time.”

“We’ve allowed a gap in the Christmas holidays to ensure the road is fully open at this time. It also allows the concrete to completely dry out and cure before we come and do more work in January,” says NZTA.

Stage 2: Pavement reconstruction works

• From 12 January through until mid-late March, there will be 24/7 southbound lane closures again, between Paekākāriki and SH58 Interchange. NZTA will update this schedule with the confirmed start date closer to the time.
• All lanes will be open by the Easter holidays.
• “We’ll need to close the SH58 Haywards southbound offramp again for a few days and nights. We’ll update the schedule closer to the time.”

“Crews will be working both day and night between Sunday nights and Friday afternoons. There will be no works during these times, however the lanes will still be closed when we’re not working.”

What road users can expect

• Frequent southbound congestion, especially during busy weekday peak periods, Monday to Friday (6am – 8am) and weekends.
• Temporary traffic management and reduced speed limit of 50km/hr.
• Work taking place during both the day and night, Sunday night to Friday afternoon with no work in the weekends (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon).
• Southbound lane closures 24/7.
• There will be no chipseal work this season.
• Allow extra time for journeys. Consider using SH59 and check Journey Planner to stay updated.

Alternate route

To avoid the road works, people should consider using State Highway 59, particularly during busy travel periods, Monday to Friday 6am – 8am and during the weekends. Using SH59 may help reduce delays for some journeys while work is underway on Transmission Gully.

No chipseal resurfacing this season

There will be no chipseal resurfacing works on Transmission Gully this season.

“We know last season’s chipseal work caused significant frustration for road users. Those works were necessary to waterproof the road. That means drivers can expect no loose chip on the highway this season.”

Temporary repairs before major works

Road users may notice small temporary patch repairs in the coming months.

These repairs are being carried out to help keep the road safe until more extensive pavement reconstruction can take place during the warmer months.

Why this work is needed

NZTA says some areas of the road are breaking down because water is getting into the pavement. This weakens the road and has caused cracking and potholes in some places.

The areas being worked on this season are the fastest deteriorating sections, so they have been prioritised for replacement.

“If we don’t do this work now, the road will fail and more ongoing maintenance will be required which will be even more disruptive to road users with less advance notice.

“New drainage and pavement reconstruction are needed to help prevent the pavement from failing further. New drainage will help keep water out, and the pavement reconstruction is intended to reduce the need for bigger repairs later.”

With the polls closing at 7pm this Saturday night (November 7), the visit was a timely reminder to those who have not yet voted to do so.

Handford says she was greatly encouraged by the reception and feedback from the public who they interacted with. She says for party leader Hipkins, whose parents live in Kāpiti, it is always special to come here.

“It was great to see how positive people are and there does seem to be a strong appetite for change,” says Handford.

Ms Handford is looking to become one of New Zealand’s youngest ever MPs. The newly formed electorate covers from Ōtaki down to the northern suburbs of Porirua City.

VOTING PLACES for KAPITI Electorate are: https://vote.nz/2026-general-election/voting-in-the-election/find-a-voting-place?Type=ge&Electorate=Kāpiti&Suburb=&isAccessible=false

The Class 4 Gambling and TAB Venue Policy retains its sinking lid approach, which means no new Class 4 gambling venues, additional gaming machines or standalone TAB venues can be established in Kāpiti.

The review found the gambling policy is still fit for purpose. Kāpiti has 11 Class 4 venues and 184 machines, unchanged since 2023, yet gaming machine profits rose from $7.84 million in 2024 to $8 million in 2025.

Strategy and Policy Committee Chair Liz Koh says the sinking lid is working.

“Venue and machine numbers haven’t grown, and we want to keep it that way,” says Councillor Koh.

“Gambling harm is a real problem, and this is the most effective tool we have to limit it.”

Council also confirmed no changes to its Local Approved Products Policy, which sets local restrictions on the sale of psychoactive substances.

There are currently no approved products in New Zealand, and no licensed retailers in Kāpiti are affected. The Ministry of Health has said the current approval framework is unworkable and needs legislative change.

“There’s nothing to change at this stage,” says Councillor Koh.

“We’ll keep the policy in place and revisit it if the law changes.”

Council is required to review these policies periodically and is confident the current approaches reflect community expectations, provide regulatory certainty, and support the health and wellbeing of the Kāpiti Coast community.

For many families, fireworks are a long-standing part of celebrating Guy Fawkes. But while the displays may only last a few seconds, the injuries can have much longer-lasting consequences. Over the past five years, ACC has accepted 1,405 fireworks-related injury claims, costing more than $3.4 million to help New Zealanders recover.

ACC Injury Prevention Leader James Whitaker says the figures are a reminder that a few moments of fun can have lasting consequences.

“Guy Fawkes should be about creating great family memories, not spending the evening in an emergency department,” he says.

“Particularly concerning is that last year around one in four fireworks-related injuries involved children aged 10 and under. Children are naturally curious and excited by fireworks, which is why close adult supervision is so important.”

Whitaker says a few simple precautions can help prevent avoidable injuries. “We see a clear spike in injuries around Guy Fawkes. Nearly two-thirds of all fireworks-related injury claims in 2025 occurred in November, which shows how important it is to think about safety before lighting fireworks,” he says.

Burns were the most common injury type, accounting for more than half of all fireworks-related claims. Hands, wrists and fingers were the most commonly injured parts of the body, while eye injuries also featured prominently.

“Before you light the fuse, have a hmmm. Think about who is nearby, make sure children are supervised, follow the instructions on the packaging and keep a safe distance once fireworks are lit. A few simple precautions can go a long way towards ensuring everyone remembers the night for the right reasons,” Whitaker says.

ACC’s top fireworks safety tips
 Follow the instructions on the packaging.
 Keep a safe distance from fireworks once lit.
 Closely supervise children around fireworks.
 Never relight fireworks that fail to go off properly.
 Keep spectators well clear of firing areas.
 Have water available in case of an emergency.

The Friends of Queen Elizabeth Regional Park (Kāpiti) Trust 2026 Annual General Meeting, is to be held 4:30 pm on Monday, 16 November, at the Ramaroa Centre in the park (just in from the Mackays Crossing park entrance).

The first item will be a report on the Group’s activities for the past year, followed by the election of a new Trustee team. We are then delighted to welcome speaker Andrew Jinks, a trustee of the Friends group and a practical expert in horticulture. Andrew will discourse on native weeds.

The meeting will be kept brief. Tea, coffee, and refreshments — provided by Paraparaumu Woolworths — will be available.

If you have any questions, please email QepFriends@gmail.com.

Kāpiti Coast District Council is inviting the community to help shape the future of health and wellbeing in Kāpiti, with feedback now open on its draft Health and Wellbeing Strategy. 

The draft strategy sets out how Council will work alongside iwi, health providers, government agencies and community organisations to improve access to health services and support healthier lives across the district.  

It responds to growing concerns about access to health care close to home, particularly as the Kāpiti population grows and ages. The district also has high rates of disability and long-term health conditions, alongside increasing demand for mental health and addiction support. 

Kāpiti Coast District Mayor Janet Holborow says improving access to quality health care and supporting community wellbeing are clear priorities for residents.  

“While Council doesn’t provide clinical health services, we have an important role in protecting public health, planning for growth, providing infrastructure that supports people to stay well, and in advocating for the services our community needs,” says Mayor Holborow.  

“Our community has told us they want more local doctors, clinics and primary health services, 24/7 urgent care, and better access to hospital services. 

“With our growing and ageing population, we need to make sure people can get the care and support they need locally.  

“This strategy builds on the work we’re already doing and gives us a clear direction for working with the right people to make health and wellbeing a priority for Kāpiti.”  

The draft strategy focuses on five key areas:  

• preventing ill health and supporting healthy lifestyles  
• building a shared understanding of community health and wellbeing needs  
• supporting better access to local primary and community health services  
• improving access to after-hours and urgent care  
• advocating for better access to hospital and specialist health services.  

Mayor Holborow says the draft strategy has been shaped by community feedback and two years of work to build relationships with key health partners and stakeholders.  

In 2024, Council received 93 submissions on its Health Strategy Direction of Travel, with more than 83 percent supporting at least one of the proposed areas of focus.  

More recently, 469 submissions through Council’s early Long-term Plan engagement showed that 63 percent of submitters agreed health was a priority for our community. Feedback also highlighted the importance of recognising hauora Māori and the needs of communities who face barriers to accessing services.  

“When we first asked for feedback two years ago, our community helped us identify who we needed to work with to develop the strategy,” says Mayor Holborow.  

“We’ve spent that time building relationships with key partners, including the Kāpiti Health Advisory Group,  Te Whatu Ora, our Primary Health Organisations and Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards to underpin the work in this draft.  

“Now we want to hear from our community again, and local health networks and service providers. Health needs are constantly changing, and our strategy needs to be able to respond to those changes. 

“We can’t achieve this vision alone. We want to know whether we’ve got the focus right, what’s missing, and what matters most to the people of Kāpiti.  

“Your feedback will help us shape a strategy that reflects the needs and aspirations of our community and supports a healthy, liveable district now and into the future.”  

Feedback on the draft Health and Wellbeing Strategy can be provided online, in person and on paper until midnight Wednesday 18 November 2026.  

To read the draft strategy and share your feedback, visit www.haveyoursay.kapiticoast.govt.nz/HealthWellbeingStrategy  

Drop-in dates and times:  

• Wednesday 4 November – 10am-12pm, Ōtaki Library 
• Saturday 7 November – 10am-2pm, Paekākāriki Market – St Peters Church 
• Friday 6 November – 1-3pm, Paraparaumu Library 
• Tuesday 10 November, 11am-1pm, Raumati Marine Gardens 
• Wednesday 11 November – 10am-12pm, Waikanae Library 

Featuring 28 players who were part of the title-winning 2026 full squad, next year’s roster also includes 10 new signings and an additional player promoted from last season’s Wider Training Group.

Included among the new figures are All Blacks No 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, six-time Super Rugby champion Bryn Hall, All Blacks XV loose forward Oliver Haig, Hawke’s Bay lock Hunter Morrison, and ex-Highlanders prop Rohan Wingham, all of whom were announced by the Hurricanes as new signings earlier this year.

They are joined by prop Tito Tuipulotu and lock Alefosio Aho, who both join the Hurricanes after featuring for Moana Pasifika alongside Tupou Ta’eiloa last season.

Waikato lock Dylan Eti has also been added to the club’s second row stocks, while midfielder Tāmiro Armstrong moves south from Bay of Plenty. Both were with the Chiefs as Wider Training Group members last season. Their inclusions in the Hurricanes represent the first time they have been named in a full Super Rugby Pacific squad.

Former Crusaders and Queensland Reds utility back Heremaia Murray has also been included as cover for Ngane Punivai, who is expected to miss the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season after rupturing his Achilles earlier this month.

Elsewhere, Josh Gray has been promoted from the Wider Training Group to earn a full contract after making his Super Rugby Pacific debut with the Hurricanes during this year’s Super Round.

In total, the squad has 16 players with All Blacks or test match experience, a further five who have represented either the All Blacks XV or Māori All Blacks, five Super Rugby centurions, and an additional 10 players with at least 50 Super Rugby caps. 

Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw is excited by the mix of new and returning players in next year’s squad as the club prepares to defend its Super Rugby Pacific title.

“It’s always a good part of the year to finally have the squad selected and announced,” Laidlaw said.

“We’ve done a lot of work over the last 10 months, since the turn of the year when we knew a few players were departing. It’s not only been a process over the NPC, but it started back in January around trying to look at the areas of the squad that needed reinforcements. 

“I think we’ve done a really good job on that with the coaches and Tom Kindley, our GM Rugby, in terms of filling the gaps and bringing in some youth as we look to the future, as well as some players who are Super Rugby-ready. 

“We feel like the balance we’ve managed to get in the main squad allows us to continue to play and prepare well with experience, as well as having an eye to the future.

“It’s good to get the squad done and now we get into the final preparations for pre-season as we look to welcome the new and returning Hurricanes back in November.”

The Hurricanes will announce next year’s Wider Training Group on Thursday. Players not involved in the current All Blacks squad will report for the first day of pre-season on 26 November.

2027 HURRICANES SQUAD

Props

Siale Lauaki
Tyrel Lomax
Xavier Numia
Pasilio Tosi
Tito Tuipulotu
Rohan Wingham

Hookers

Asafo Aumua
Vernon Bason
Jacob Devery
Raymond Tuputupu

Locks

Alefosio Aho
Caleb Delany
Dylan Eti
Hunter Morrison
Hugo Plummer

Loose Forwards

Oliver Haig
Brayden Iose
Du’Plessis Kirifi
Peter Lakai
Arese Poliko
Brad Shields
Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa

Halfbacks

Bryn Hall
Cam Roigard
Jordi Viljoen

First-Fives

Brett Cameron
Harry Godfrey
Ruben Love

Midfielders

Tāmiro Armstrong
Jordie Barrett
Heremaia Murray
Billy Proctor
Jone Rova

Outside Backs

Josh Gray
Fehi Fineanganofo
Callum Harkin
Josh Moorby
Kini Naholo
Ngane Punivai*