New Plymouth is a New Zealand parliamentary electorate. It was first created for the 1st New Zealand Parliament in 1853 and has existed since, with one 32-year interruption. The electorate was initially called Town of New Plymouth. The electorate is currently held by Glen Bennett for Labour, as he defeated National's Jonathan Young in the 2020 general election. Population centres In the 1927 electoral redistribution, the North Island gained a further electorate from the South Island due to faster population growth. Five electorates were abolished, two former electorates, including New Plymouth, were re-established, and three electorates were created for the first time. The electorate includes the following population centres: New Plymouth (57,600) Waitara (6,312) Ōpunake (1,440) Ōakura (1,380) Ōkato (561) History The electorate was originally the Town of New Plymouth from 1853 to 1879. The name of the electorate was changed to New Plymouth from 1879 to 1896. The electorate was abolished in 1896, and was reconstituted under the same name in 1928. Oliver Samuel, Edward Smith, Thomas Kelly (incumbent) and Charles Brown contested the electorate in the ; Samuel won the contest. The electorate has changed between National and Labour several times, and has been represented by two Christian ministers: Rev Fred Frost and then Rev Ernest Aderman. 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 New Plymouth electorate. Unless otherwise stated, all MPs terms began and ended at general elections. Election results 2020 election 2017 election 2014 election 2011 election Electorate (as at 26 November 2011): 44,973 2008 election 2005 election 1999 election 1996 election 1993 election 1990 election 1987 election 1984 election 1981 election 1978 election 1975 election 1972 election 1969 election 1966 election 1963 election Social Credit candidate Kenneth "Ken" George Joseph Lattimer failed to lodge his name in time to contest the election. 1960 election 1957 election 1954 election 1951 election 1949 election 1946 election 1943 election 1938 election 1935 election 1931 election 1928 election 1893 election 1890 election 1869 by-election Table footnotes Notes References External links Electorate Profile Parliamentary Library New Zealand electorates 1853 establishments in New Zealand 1896 disestablishments in New Zealand 1928 establishments in New Zealand Politics of Taranaki