Waiariki called! Kōwhiri 2026 Live Updates

Te Tai Hauāuru winner Debbie Ngarewa-Packer receives a phone call from Labour opponent Te Pūoho Kātene during her celebrations with whānau and supporters.

Energy ran high across the Green Party camps as Teanau Tuiono celebrated alongside whānau and supporters in Palmerston North, while Tamatha Paul took the stage with her team in Wellington Central to address an electric crowd as the results rolled in.

The declared winner of Tāmaki Makaurau, Oriini Kaipara (Te Pāti Māori), gives a mihi to her whānau and kaitautoko.

Georgie Dansey and her supporters have gathered at the Hamilton Cossie Club to acknowledge and celebrate her efforts throughout her campaign.

The energy is electric in Tāmaki Makaurau! Te Pāti Māori candidate Oriini Kaipara shares laughs and celebrations with whānau and kaitautoko as they watch the results roll in.

It’s neck-and-neck with labour and National past the 2 hour mark!

With 2 hours since voting closed, around 500 supporters have filled the Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau, where National Party’s HQ is being held.

Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke expresses her gratitude to her supporters throughout the past three years.

New Zealand First Whanganui candidate Harete Hipango-Brownlie gathered with supporters and campaign team members at a local venue, closely watching the election returns as votes were tallied across the region.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer arrived to warm embraces and hongi from supporters and whānau at her election gathering, stepping into the venue as results began rolling in.

Supporters gathered in high spirits to back Labour’s Te Tai Hauāuru candidate, Te Pūoho Kātene, filling the room with campaign signs, red balloons, and spirited whānau support as election night unfolded.

Kaipara Commands Majority of Candidate Vote: Te Pāti Māori’s Oriini Kaipara holds a strong early lead in Tāmaki Makaurau with 53.6% of the electorate vote at 10.8% counted, well clear of Labour’s Kerrin Leoni (24.9%) and Green candidate Florence Te Ohaere (21.5%).

Split Electorate & Party Preferences: Despite Kaipara’s commanding individual lead, the party vote leans heavily toward Labour (48%) and the Greens (37%).

Decisive Early Lead for Maipi-Clarke: With 3.7% of voting places counted, Te Pāti Māori’s Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke holds a commanding lead with 1,448 votes—more than double Labour candidate Kingi Kiriona’s 675 votes.

Labour Dominates the Party Vote: While trailing significantly in the candidate race, Labour leads party preference in the electorate with 52%, followed by the Greens at 34%.

Rawiri Waititi in the Lead: In the early count (2.8% of voting places counted), Te Pāti Māori’s Rawiri Waititi leads Waiariki with 1,955 votes, ahead of Green candidate Tania Waikato at 1,577 votes.

Labour-Green Party Vote Dominance: Despite the candidate race, the electorate’s party vote is heavily split between Labour (45%) and the Greens (41%).

Tight Race at the Top: National leads at 31.4% (38 seats), closely trailed by Labour at 29.4% (36 seats).

TOP Clears the Threshold: The Opportunity Party (TOP) hits 5.7% to cross the 5% MMP threshold, securing 7 parliamentary seats.

Kua tae mai a Oriini Kaipara o Te Pāti Māori ki te taha o āna kaitautoko ki Manukau.

800 people are expected at the Viaducts Events Center in Tāmaki Makaurau for the National party’s headquarters tonight.

Tania Waikato, Greens candidate for Waiariki, has arrived to greet supporters that have gathered tonight as she blesses herself with the water and mauri of tonight’s event.

I te ahiahi pō nei kua tae mai ngā kaitautoko ki te karapu whutupōro o Te Teko. Ko te kākāhu taera o te pō nei ko ngā kaupoi me ngā kaukeo o Te Teko.

Kaitautoko for Labour’s Hauraki-Waikato candidate Kingi Kiriona have arrived to Rukumoana Marae.