Rakaia (New Zealand electorate)
Rakaia was a New Zealand parliamentary electorate in the Canterbury region from 1972 to 1978 and 1993 to 2008.
The seat was held by former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley from 1993 to 2002, and by Brian Connell[1] from 2002 to 2008.
Population Centres
The electorate included the following population centres:
- Ashburton
- Darfield
- Leeston
- Lincoln
- Methven
- Rakaia
- Rolleston
- Southbridge
- West Melton
History
The Rakaia seat previously existed from 1972 to 1978, when it was held by Colin McLachlan of the National Party, who previously and subsequently held the Selwyn seat. It was recreated in 1993 as a replacement for Ashburton.
Due to boundary changes for the 2008 general election, the Rakaia seat ceased to exist. Its population centres were redistributed among the new seats of Rangitata and Selwyn.
In the 2008 elections, Selwyn was expected to be a safe National seat while Rangitata was considered vulnerable to capture by Labour due to the presence of the city of Timaru. While Amy Adams won Selwyn for National as expected, Rangiata was taken by National's Jo Goodhew.
Members of Parliament
Key
| Election | Winner | |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 election | Colin McLachlan | |
| 1975 election | ||
| (Electorate abolished 1978–1993) | ||
| 1993 election | Jenny Shipley | |
| 1996 election | ||
| 1999 election | ||
| 2002 election | Brian Connell | |
| 2005 election | ||
References
External links
- Electorate Profile Parliamentary Library