Data shows that more than 42,000 Māori voters are currently enrolled on the general roll across the eight general electorates within the Te Tai Hauāuru boundaries. In areas like New Plymouth, Māori voters on the general roll outnumber those registered on the Māori roll itself, highlighting a significant demographic impact across the regional seats.
Inside Te Tai Hauāuru there are eight general electorates: Taranaki King Country, a portion of Taupō, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Rangitikei, Palmerston North, Kapiti and Kenepuru.
But there are only three Māori who have put their hands up to compete for these seats – let’s meet them:
David MacLeod (National – New Plymouth)
National Party candidate David MacLeod (Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Porou) is the incumbent MP for the New Plymouth electorate, a seat traditionally held by Labour, and is campaigning to retain it. He brings extensive governance experience, including 15 years as Chair of the Taranaki Regional Council, alongside roles at Parininihi ki Waitōtara, Fonterra, Port Taranaki, and as Chair of Predator Free 2050. He currently served on the Environment Select Committee and was Chair of the Māori Affairs Select Committee in the last Parliament. Taiuru News caught up with him at a recent meet the candidates at Te Whare Hononga o Te Atiawa last week.
“We have all been politically debating for weeks, feels like months and to be honest it’s a very tiring time but mentally and physically, in doing that, but we do it because we all believe in what we are here for and we are all wanting to be able to contribute to our future,” MacLeod said.
“In this role as being a Member of Parliament and sometimes people look at me like I’m the devil, you know I’ve been in positions where, you know I have to play the team game which is politics and I can tell you that there’s no perfect party out there not even the party I’m with – I say that honestly,” he said.
“My point is that I think we’re a stronger political system by having more Māori within different parties across the board otherwise I actually feel that we could go further askew with where we’re going.”
Harete Hipango-Brownlie (NZ First – Whanganui)
Harete Hipango-Brownlie (Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi, Ngāti Apa, Ngā Rauru), a former National Party MP and experienced lawyer, is contesting the Whanganui electorate for New Zealand First and is ranked seventh on the party’s list. She brings more than 30 years of background in law, health, governance, and public policy – including serving as Whanganui’s MP from 2017 to 2020 and a List MP from 2021 to 2023 – she offers a leadership perspective rooted in both Māori and European heritage, dedicated to strong community advocacy and practical governance. Tuia News caught up with Harete Hipango-Brownlie at the NZ First campaign launch.
“National’s actually shifted from what its core values are, and that is about recognizing the importance of responsibility and looking after our communities, and recognizing the importance for us to do that to build an economy,” said Hipango-Brownlie.
“I would be asking Māori to vote for New Zealand First party vote on the general roll, and the general roll not just in the Whanganui electorate, but also in Te Tai Hauāuru electorate, which is the Māori seat,” she said.
“If people consider that their candidate vote or electorate vote, they wish to cast that for me, that would be a privilege and an honor. And I would continue to serve, having done two terms of service as a member of Parliament.”
Te Anau Tuiono (The Green Party – Palmerston North)
Teanau Tuiono (Ngāpuhi, Atiu) has been a Member of Parliament in New Zealand for more than 6 years, having first entered Parliament on 17 October 2020 (53rd Parliament). He was re-elected for the 54th Parliament in October 2023, and currently serves as a Green Party List MP and Third Assistant Speaker of the House of Representatives (since 7 December 2023). Tuiono is listed as a candidate in the Palmerston North general seat and has a focus on healthy kai, healthy environment and is a champion for vulnerable families and social justice. Aukaha News caught up with Te Anau Tuiono at a meet the party’s candidates in Kirikiriroa.
“I tāku nei kei te whakaaro ake ka kitea ēnei, ēnei tātauranga i pērā ana ngā kōrero i rangona ake nei āku taringa i au e hīkoi haere ana ki runga ngā tiriti maha o te motu,” hei tā Te Anau.
“Kare e kore pērā ki te katoa o mātou ngā mema paremata, ngā kaitono katoa haere ki ngā hui pēnei, te ataahua, tino ataahua tēnei hui, haere ki ngā fono nā mātou āno o te Pasifika ki kōrero ki o tātou nei tangata,” hei tāna anō.
“Mena ka, mena e aroha ana koe ki te taiao, aroha nui ki te awhina o tātou nei whānau tēnā pea e pirangi ana koe te tuku i tō pōti party ki a mātou Ngā Kākāriki, ka pai.”