Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU) policy director and economist Craig Renney. Photo: Stuff / ROBERT KITCHIN
Labour has selected high-profile economist Craig Renney to run as its candidate in Wellington Bays in next year's election.
As economist and director of policy for the Council of Trade Unions (CTU), Renney regularly features in media commentary on economic issues and policies.
"It's a privilege to be selected as Labour's Wellington Bays candidate," he said. "I will focus on the real challenges facing Wellingtonians - housing, health, jobs and cost of living.
"I will listen, stand up for people and work around the clock to get results for my community.
"I have been living in Wellington since 2012. It's the place I love, where I have chosen to make my home and to raise my family.
"I'm Labour, because I believe a good government can make life better for everyone. I've worked inside the system, helping shape government policy, and outside of it, exposing bad decisions and economics when I see it."
Before joining CTU, Renney was a senior ministerial advisor to Minister of Finance Grant Robertson between 2017-20. He has also worked at Treasury, the Reserve Bank, and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
"I grew up in a working-class family in Northumberland, UK," he said. "My dad was a coal miner and my mum worked in the post office.
"I saw firsthand what happens when communities are left behind and I have been working hard to make sure we stop that happening here.
"Now I want to take that experience into parliament, representing our local community as your MP. I can't wait to get out to meet Wellingtonians to hear what they need from their MP."
Wellington Bays is a new electorate that will be contested for the first time in 2026, covering the area of the former Rongotai electorate, currently held by the Greens' Julie Anne Genter.
Before 2023, it was held by Labour for nearly three decades.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
