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National Candidate Karuna Muthu Walks Out of Wellington Bays Candidate Forum
By Drooid · · How we work
Walkout at Wellington Bays Candidate Forum
During a public meeting in the Brooklyn suburb of Wellington Bays, National Party candidate Karuna Muthu stood up after a moderator asked whether the party would support turning Kiwibank into a full-service bank.
Context of the Wellington Bays Electorate
Wellington Bays is a newly created electorate that combines the former Rongotai seat with the suburbs of Brooklyn and Mt Cook. Brooklyn has historically leaned left; in the 2023 election the Green Party secured 30.3% of party votes in the local community centre, Labour 29.5%, and National 24.8%. Muthu previously contested the same seat (then Rongotai) in 2023 and ran for United Future in 2008, as well as a mayoral bid in 2013. He is a lawyer and business strategist placed 64th on the National Party list.
Official Statements & Responses
Labour candidate Craig Renney argued that answering tough questions is “the very minimum” of an MP’s duty. Green incumbent Julie Anne Genter called the walk-out “a shame” but said the overall campaign had been “positive and respectful.” Muthu indicated he will continue attending debates and community meetings up to the scheduled campaign deadline of November 7.
Data & Statistics
- 2023 Brooklyn Community Centre party-vote share: Green 30.3%, Labour 29.5%, National 24.8%.
- Polling ahead of the 2026 election places Muthu in third, with Genter and Renney tied for first.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The questions that were being asked were clearly questions affecting residents in Brooklyn,” — Labour's Craig Renney