Oscar Sims has been selected as Labour candidate for Auckland Central. A software developer and urban housing activist, he was chosen today ahead of sitting Auckland-based list MP Naisi Chen to run in the high-profile seat. In a contest that three parties can claim a shot at winning, he will take on the incumbent Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick and the National candidate, Mahesh Muralidhar, who runs a venture capital fund.

In a statement, Sims said: “I’ll work hard to win the seat and give local people a strong voice inside Chris Hipkins’ government. Auckland Central is a youthful, diverse electorate and I want to make sure all of our communities have their voices heard in parliament.”

He added: “As someone who has been a strong advocate for community housing, I know that Labour’s record of building more public housing, making it easier to consent new dwellings and building more infrastructure is making a real difference … As a young person, I know that more affordable housing, better wages and better public transport will make a difference for local people, help bring down carbon emissions and make Auckland Central an even more vibrant place to live, work and raise a family. I am driven by a belief in fairness and opportunity for every one who calls our city home, and I’ll work hard every day of this campaign to earn the trust and support of local people.”

In spite of the red wave that returned a historic Labour majority, Swarbrick won the seat in 2020, beating Labour’s Helen White by about 1,000 votes. White, who entered parliament on the list, won the Labour candidacy for Mt Albert, the seat formerly held by Jacinda Ardern, David Shearer and Helen Clark, in a contested selection last month.

Swarbrick, who was re-selected unopposed, is the Greens’ only electorate MP, and just the second to win an electorate after Jeanette Fitzsimons.