Christensen's death occurred after the close of candidate nominations for the 2023 New Zealand general election, but before polling day.

The by-election was won by National incumbent Andrew Bayly, who has held the Port Waikato seat and its predecessor Hunua since 2014.

The electorate includes the New Zealand Steel mill at Glenbrook, and the lower reaches of the Waikato River.

The electorate is predominantly European (78.2%) and Maori (19.0%), with the shares of those identifying as Asian (8.8%), and Pacific Peoples (6.1%), somewhat lower than the average for New Zealand as a whole.

[7] Key dates relating to the by-election are as follows:[8] All candidates had nominated to contest Port Waikato at the 2023 general election were re-nominated, unless they withdrew.

About a week before polling day, 1News described Andrew Bayly as "a clear favourite", but that he was "facing a strong challenge from NZ First's Casey Costello".

[14] Final results show Andrew Bayly of the National party winning with a 11,432 vote margin over his nearest rival, Casey Costello of New Zealand First.