Kiwi-Filipino MP and Philippine-Born Candidate Both Contest the Dunedin Electorate This Election

Green MP Francisco Hernandez, whom the Green Party describes as a Kiwi-Filipino MP, and National's Kristine Asuncion, who was born in the Philippines, are both standing in Dunedin and took part in the Otago Daily Times' first electorate debate ahead of the November 7 election.

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Two candidates with Filipino links are standing in the Dunedin electorate at the 2026 general election. The Otago Daily Times staged the first of a planned series of electorate debates for the southern seats, and Dunedin was first off the rank, with National's Kristine Asuncion and the Green Party's Francisco Hernandez among the five candidates taking part.

The other debate participants were David Bainbridge-Zafar (Opportunity), Rachel Brooking (Labour) and Kym McDonald-King (New Zealand First). The ODT said candidates qualified if they represented a party already in Parliament, or one with a realistic chance on current polling of entering Parliament after the November 7 election.

Candidates were asked to address three local issues: the direction and future of the new Dunedin hospital project; funding for the tertiary education sector, including the University of Otago, Otago Polytechnic and student support; and homelessness, specifically what to do about the homeless camp at the Oval. The debate lasted about 40 minutes and was filmed in the Allied Media studios in Stuart St.

According to National's biographical notes released when she was selected in April, Kristine Santos Asuncion was born in the Philippines and moved to New Zealand in 2008. She completed her secondary education at Verdon College and earned a Bachelor of Commerce and a Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship from the University of Otago. She works alongside her husband as a contract milker, is a business owner in Dunedin, and serves as chairperson of the Filipino Dairy Workers of New Zealand.

The Green Party's candidate page describes Francisco Hernandez as a Kiwi-Filipino MP with a background in climate policy, public service and student unionism. On that page, Hernandez says he has been making inroads with the Filipino community, being visible and active at major events.