Hutt-raised political-economy, history, business-management and marketing graduate; long-time hospitality owner, consultant and director who co-owned Wellington’s Backbencher and has managed or employed more than 4,500 staff.

Priorities: Experienced leadership, pragmatic economic policy, equality of opportunity, strong local business and protection of New Zealand’s distinctive culture.

Career scientist with workplace wellbeing and science-system experience.

Priorities: Workplace wellbeing and a stronger New Zealand science system so businesses and industries can compete internationally. Social-media evidence: His public LinkedIn profile describes him as an advocate for New Zealand science and details using R&D to help startups and established firms develop products, solve failures and secure investment.

Hutt South MP and senior minister responsible for housing, infrastructure, transport and RMA reform.

Priorities: Housing supply, infrastructure delivery, transport and planning reform.

Communications and media professional with more than a decade advocating for animal welfare and climate action; holds a PhD in media focused on communicating difficult activist ideas through creativity and empathy and co-convenes the Green Animal Network.

Priorities: Animal, human and environmental wellbeing, climate action, hopeful systemic change, creative public communication and challenging economic systems that damage people and planet.

Former Hutt South MP and minister with justice, police and public-service experience.

Priorities: Education, community safety, public services and strong Hutt representation.