Wairarapa is a vast, predominantly rural electorate covering the southeastern corner of the North Island, stretching from the rugged Cape Palliser coast up to Central Hawke's Bay. Anchored by the main service town of Masterton, it encompasses a string of distinct communities including the heritage villages of Greytown and Martinborough, and the rural service centres of Carterton, Featherston, and Waipukurau. The region is an agricultural powerhouse, renowned for its sheep and beef farming, premium viticulture, and forestry, while the southern towns increasingly function as commuter hubs for Wellington City. Politically, the seat is often a competitive battleground, though it historically leans towards the National Party. It has a history of colourful representation, having been held by Georgina Beyer (the world’s first transgender MP). After swinging to Labour in 2020, it returned to National in the 2023 general election, with local sheep and beef farmer Mike Butterick reclaiming the seat from Labour’s Kieran McAnulty. In the 2025 boundary review Wairarapa gained the town of Ashhurst from Rangitīkei.