National Party Candidate Announcement Solidifies Wellington Central Race

Words by the Ethan Manera (he/him)

The three big contenders are finally known in the race for Wellington Central after National announced that international human rights lawyer Dr Scott Sheeran will contest the seat in this year's general election.

Alongside the Greens’ Tamatha Paul and Labour’s Ibriham Omer, Sheeran says he’s already underway in campaigning for the seat, which hasn't been held by National since 1981.

Sheeran currently lives in Abu Dhabi and plans to move back to Aotearoa in July. “I'm really excited. I'm really looking forward to meeting people and hearing more about what matters,” he said.

An outsider to politics, Sheeran was motivated to run after watching “the way that New Zealand is going”. His three main priorities are tackling the cost of living, supporting social enterprise, and infrastructure.

Currently working as a human rights lawyer for the United Arab Emirates Government, he describes himself as “socially liberal” while still caring about the economy. “I've learned that if you want great social services, you need to have a great economy—the money has to come from somewhere.”

Sheeran’s competitors aren't too concerned about his campaign, with Green's Tamatha Paul calling it a “two horse race” between herself and Ibrahim. 

“I don't see him as a threat... I think it's a massive sacrifice to move all the way back here to run for a seat that he doesn't have a very good chance at winning. I'm not sure what their thinking is there.”

Sheeran last lived in Wellington in 2019, residing in his family home in the Rongotai electorate. He currently rents out this property and plans to move elsewhere within the Wellington Central electorate upon returning to New Zealand later this year.