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October 21, 2025
Keshaan Te Waaka Makes History in Tararua Māori Ward – Despite Council Vote to Scrap It
Moeawa Fransen
Posted On October 21, 2025
Download AudioA 21-year-old Māori-Tongan leader has made history in the Tararua District, becoming the first to win the Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua Māori Ward seat in her debut campaign.
Keshaan Te Waaka’s election marks a powerful moment for youth and indigenous representation in local government, though her term will be short-lived after voters chose to scrap the Māori ward in the recent referendums.
Despite that, Te Waaka says she’s determined to make council spaces more accessible and relevant for rangatahi and Māori communities who’ve long felt excluded.
She says she’s excited to show her colleagues the beauty of her whakapapa.
“Show how beautiful kaupapa are. Show how beautiful tikanga are and that it all works. It’s hard for council to understand tikanga as law. All the things that I’ve learned at Te Wānanga o Raukawa kaupapa to understand te ao Māori in general. So I’m excited to be amongst the group who doesn’t understand me, but I get to show them who we are,” says Te Waaka.
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