It is held by Carl Bates of the National Party, who won it in the 2023 general election.

[1] The current electorate is based on the urban area of Whanganui, the town of Hāwera, and smaller centres Kaponga, Eltham, Normanby, Manaia, Patea and Waverley; broadly speaking, the Whanganui and South Taranaki local government districts.

[5] The resulting 6 May 1867 by-election was won by Harrison, and he served until the dissolution of Parliament on 30 December 1870.

The election, held on 9 December, was won by William Hogg Watt.

Ballance's death triggered the 1893 by-election, which was held on 13 June and won by Archibald Willis, who was re-elected at the 1893 election a few months later.

The seat returned to Labour again, with Jill Pettis winning the 1993 election.

She served four terms, until her defeat in the 2005 election by Chester Borrows of the National Party.

Borrows announced in 2016 that he would not seek reelection at the 2017 general election[14] and the seat was won by Harete Hipango, retaining it for the National Party.

Unless otherwise stated, all MPs terms began and ended at a general election.

Unless otherwise stated, all MPs terms began and ended at general elections.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.