Waitakere is a reshaped West Auckland electorate that largely replaces the former seat of New Lynn. It is defined by its dramatic geography, stretching from the dense urban hub of New Lynn and the creative communities of Titirangi out to the rugged wilderness of the Waitākere Ranges and the black-sand beaches of the West Coast. The area has a distinct "Westie" identity, blending a working-class industrial history with a strong environmentalist and arts-focused culture. Politically, its predecessor New Lynn was long considered a safe Labour seat, but recent elections have seen it become highly competitive. While historically held by senior Labour figures, the area swung to the National Party in 2023 when Paulo Garcia won the seat. This shift highlights the changing demographics of the West, where rising property prices and gentrification are altering traditional voting patterns. In the 2025 boundary review three western Auckland electorates – New Lynn, Kelston and Te Atatū – were replaced by reconfigured electorates: Waitākere, Glendene and Henderson which reconfigured boundaries. Waitākere largely replaced the old New Lynn electorate.