Christchurch’s Mananui Ramsden is heading to Parliament after winning the South Island Māori electorate of Te Tai Tonga for Labour.

Ramsden, who grew up in Sydenham and Banks Peninsula, secured 8,614 votes in Saturday’s general election, according to preliminary results.

Green Party candidate Lisa Te Morenga finished second with 5,841 votes, giving Ramsden a majority of 2,773.

The result marks a political breakthrough for Ramsden, who unsuccessfully contested the Christchurch South constituency in last year’s Environment Canterbury elections.

Standing as an independent, he finished third behind successful candidates Andrea Davis and Nick Moody.

Now, just over a year later, he is preparing to enter Parliament as Labour’s representative for the country’s only South Island Māori electorate.

Te Tai Tonga covers the entire South Island, Stewart Island, the Chatham Islands and parts of the lower North Island, including Wellington.

Ramsden has a background in Māori leadership and environmental management.

He is a former chair of Te Rūnanga o Koukourarata on Banks Peninsula and has worked in freshwater protection, environmental advocacy and community governance.

He has also been involved in efforts to improve the management of Lake Ellesmere, including working with farmers and landowners on environmental protection.

“Ultimately, I’m a mokopuna of the hands that signed this Treaty,” he said during an interview with Te Ao Māori News earlier this year.

Ramsden entered the election campaign promising to focus on the cost of living, housing, employment, infrastructure and improving outcomes for Māori communities.

He also made the unusual decision not to seek a position on Labour’s party list.

“Where I come from mandate is a big thing. If you go with the mandate of the people, then you’re expected to work for the people. If not, get out of the way,” he said during the campaign.

His victory comes at the expense of Tākuta Ferris, who won Te Tai Tonga for Te Pāti Māori in 2023, defeating Labour’s Rino Tirikatene.

Ferris subsequently fell out with the party’s leadership and contested this year’s election as an independent.

Te Tai Tonga had been held by Labour for 12 years before Ferris won the seat in 2023.

Ramsden’s victory puts the electorate back in Labour’s hands, although the result remains provisional until special votes are counted.

The Electoral Commission is expected to release the official election results on 27 November.