Whangārei (formerly Whangarei) is a New Zealand parliamentary electorate that was first created for the . The electorate is usually a reasonably safe National seat, and was held for long periods by John Banks (–1999) and Phil Heatley (–2014), before being won in the by Shane Reti. In the election Reti narrowly lost the seat to Labour's Emily Henderson. Population centres Since the , the number of electorates in the South Island was fixed at 25, with continued faster population growth in the North Island leading to an increase in the number of general electorates. There were 84 electorates for the 1969 election, and the 1972 electoral redistribution saw three additional general seats created for the North Island, bringing the total number of electorates to 87. Together with increased urbanisation in Christchurch and Nelson, the changes proved very disruptive to existing electorates. In the South Island, three electorates were abolished, and three electorates were newly created. In the North Island, five electorates were abolished, two electorates were recreated, and six electorates were newly created (including Whangārei). The boundaries of the Whangārei electorate were adjusted for the ; before then, the electorate bordered onto the Kaipara Harbour. Redistributions in 2002, 2007, and 2013/14 did not change the boundaries further. Changes announced in April 2020 will move Poroti and Maungakaramea into the Northland electorate and also change the electorate's name from Whangarei to Whangārei. The electorate includes the following population centres: Whangārei Hikurangi Ruakaka It extends from Hikurangi in the north to Ruatangata and Maungatapere in the west and Waipu and Langs Beach in the south. History The electorate was created for the . It was won by the Labour Party in that election, but was then held by the National Party until 2020. Phil Heatley held it from until he retired in 2014. Shane Reti stood for National in the and had a large margin over Labour's Kelly Ellis. Members of Parliament Unless otherwise stated, all MPs terms began and ended at a general election. Key List MPs Members of Parliament elected from party lists in elections where that person also unsuccessfully contested the Whangārei electorate. Unless otherwise stated, all MPs terms began and ended at general elections. 1Donnelly resigned in February 2008 when appointed High Commissioner to the Cook Islands Election results 2020 election 2017 election 2014 election 2011 election Electorate (as at 26 November 2011): 46,511 2008 election 2005