The Green Party has selected Teresa Butler as its candidate for Christchurch East in the upcoming election.

Butler is a frontline hauora worker with more than 25 years of experience working alongside whānau in the electorate on issues including mental health, addiction, family harm and housing instability.

She will contest the Christchurch East seat currently held by Labour MP Reuben Davidson, with National selecting Alexandra Davids as its candidate.

“I’m standing for all of us, for every whānau, every culture, every background that calls Christchurch East home,” Butler said.

“I’m here to bring our communities together, not divided, not left behind, but moving forward side by side, with dignity, fairness, and real opportunity for everyone.”

A member of the Ōtautahi Māori Women’s Welfare League, Butler is involved with Rehua and Ngā Hau e Whā Marae, and holds relationships with mana whenua and whānau connected to Tuahiwi and Rāpaki Marae.

She said her campaign will focus on affordable housing, the cost of living, accessible healthcare, mental wellbeing and climate resilience, grounded in Green Party values of social equity, environmental protection and community led solutions.“Te Tiriti is foundational to Aotearoa. It must be upheld, protected, and honoured, not undermined or rewritten,” Butler said.

“As a māmā, everything I do is about the future we leave for our tamariki. Our rangatahi deserve to grow up in a country where they can thrive, in their identity, in their communities, and in a healthy environment.”

“I will be out in our communities in marae, schools, sports grounds, and neighbourhoods, because that’s where real leadership lives.”

“This campaign is about kotahitanga. Bringing people together to create real change. We don’t win alone. We win together.”