Nā Hora Kairangi Nicholas tēnei atikara.
Eden Skipper, a kaitiaki taiao from Wairewa, is urging voters tired of the same political cycle to “vote differently” as he launches his bid for Parliament with the Opportunity party in Christchurch Central.
“I was a bit tired of watching the other parties from afar,” he said.
Skipper, who returned to Aotearoa in December after living overseas, said the decision to stand came from wanting to be part of the political conversation rather than observe it from a distance.
A call to break the two-party cycle
“Do I think it makes sense that there are sorta two parties that always get to govern and have the Prime Minister going back and forth and taking three steps forward one step back?” Skipper asked.
In his first public speech as a candidate, Skipper challenged the dominance of New Zealand’s two major parties, saying the “constant back and forth” does not serve the country well and that policies are often repealed when governments change.
“It’s also a wasted vote if you wanna see change, to vote for the status quo… So unless you want something different, you should vote differently,” he said.
Focus on iwi development and the environment
“In terms of Ngāi Tahu … I'm really excited to ensure that we've got a good relationship with them and making sure that we can build on that.” Skipper’s campaign priorities include iwi economic development and restoring the taiao.
Raised on Banks Peninsula, Skipper is an avid diver and a co-leader of Te Rūnanga o Wairewa’s Mana Whenua, Mana Moana group. He also works at the University of Canterbury as a research assistant focusing on alternative economic futures. He has previously worked in central government, including roles supporting Māori environmental interests.
Opportunity party’s position in 2026
In the 2023 general election, the Opportunity party won 2.2 percent of the party vote but did not secure a seat in Parliament, falling short of the 5 percent threshold required under New Zealand’s mixed-member proportional voting system.
“Our average polling, our member numbers, our donations are all much higher than we've ever been seven months out,” said party leader Qiulae Wong.
This month alone, the party has announced an additional 25 candidates and is campaigning on long-term investment, new economic ideas and broader public engagement in political decision-making.
Grassroots engagement and regional pride
“I am gonna be doing regular coffee catch ups… just a chance to chat politics” Skipper said.
He plans to spend much of the campaign speaking directly with voters across Ōtautahi and surrounding communities. Wong is also expected to join candidates across Te Waipounamu and the wider motu to meet with voters.
“We've got the stadium opening up on May the second … we've got the highest GDP growth 5.2 percent…” Skipper said, expressing pride in the region and calling Waitaha (Canterbury) the “best region in the country.” Although Skipper’s electorate is focussed on Christchurch Central, Eden believes that the wider region of Waitaha should have a “stronger voice” in the political conversation and he says that he aims to support that vision.
Skipper is expected to continue campaigning across Ōtautahi and surrounding areas in the lead-up to the 2026 general election, as the Opportunity party works to build support in the electorate and nationwide.
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He kaupapa mekemeke mō ngā mātua kia penapena pūtea mō ngā karapū riki me te uniana o ā rātou tamariki.
Ko te aronga mō te kaupapa o ‘Code Wars’ kia tautoko i ngā karapū me te whakahoki ki te hāpori. Nā Reece Papuni tēnei kaupapa i whakarite, ka mutu, ko ngā kaupapa pēnei nā, he mea āki i ngā wā taumaha.
“All of this goes back to our young people.” ko tāna.
Ko ngā karapū pēnei i a Ōtautahi Rugby rātou ko Marist Albion, ko Sydenham Swans, ko Waitaha Māori ko Addington Magpies e kaha tautoko ana i te whakataetae.
MŌ NGĀ TAMARIKI TE TAKE:
Neke atu i te 10 wiki e whakangūngū ana ēnei mātua mō te whakataetae ‘Code Wars’, pēnei i a Elishia Halbert-Pere (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāi Tūāhuriri), he māngai mō te karapū Waitaha Māori.
“I tautokohia e au ngā kaupapa o te rīki me te whutupōro,” hei tā Halbert-Pere.
He kaupapa ā-whānau, ka mutu, ko tana tama hoki tērā, a Hunter, e uru atu ana i te rīngi. “Ka tono ahau ki ōku tamariki tokorua, me whakaputa kōrua mai i ō kōrua rūma. Ki ōku nei whakaaro me whakapiki ō rāua hauora. Nā reira i a rāua taenga, ka kite, ka ū, ka tono mai a Reece ki a mātou, ka hiahia koutou te uru ki roto i a Code Wars, ka taea tātou,” ko tāna.
E takaro ana ngā tamariki o Sapa Toleafoa mō te karapū Addington Magpies, ā, kua whakatūria e ia tētahi whārangi Give A Little hei tautoko ake i te karapū. “Just turning up to training helps the fundraiser and my son’s team, everything raised goes straight back to them through the community.” e ai ki a Toleafoa.
He tuatahitanga mā Halbert-Pere rāua ko Toleafoa kia uru atu i te rīngi. “They’re our future stars. If we can pave the way for them, they can do the same for the next generation,” ko tāna.
AHAKOA HE MAMAE, ME HAERE TONU:
Kua puta atu tētahi pāpā mai i te whakataetae nā tētahi whara. Ko te manako ia ka tuki a Huikoma Mitchell nō Addington Magpies ki a Tommy Belford nō Papanui Rugby League heoi, i kakati tētahi kurī i tana tama. I ārai a Mitchell i tana tama, ā, i whara tōna ringa katau me tana waewae mauī.
“Just like our league club, we’re survivors. We're still here putting our best foot forward. But unfortunately, with three injuries, I won’t be able to compete anymore. Really mamae about that one,” ko tāna.
He kaitākaro āna tamariki mō Addington Magpies. He rite tonu tōna tautoko i te kaupapa mā te tae atu ki ngā whakaharatau me te āki i ngā mātua, ahakoa e pupuru ana i ngā tiripou.
Ka whawhai a Belford i a Amara Folimatama, hei whakakapi i a Mitchell. Ka uru atu ēnei mātua ki te rīngi hei te 14 o Maehe, e tuku ana i a rātou katoa, mō ngā tamariki te take.