March 17, 2026

#regional: Labour selects Mananui Ramsden as candidate for Te Tai Tonga

Matthew Tukaki Posted On March 17, 2026

Labour has confirmed Mananui Ramsden as its candidate for the Te Tai Tonga electorate at the next General Election, positioning him as a strong advocate for jobs, housing, health and the protection of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Ramsden affiliates to Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Waitaha, Rangitāne, Raukawa and Tainui, and brings a background working alongside iwi, hapū and community organisations across a range of areas including environmental management and rangatahi development both in Aotearoa and internationally.

The selection comes as Labour begins shaping its campaign across the Māori electorates ahead of the next election, with party leaders highlighting the need to address rising cost-of-living pressures and the impact of service reductions on whānau.

Labour’s Māori Campaign Chair Willie Jackson says many families across the country are facing growing financial strain as living costs increase and access to essential services becomes more difficult. He says Ramsden will campaign on policies aimed at improving employment opportunities, strengthening access to healthcare and increasing the availability of affordable housing.

Ramsden says his focus will be on the everyday concerns being raised by communities across the electorate. Issues such as stable employment, housing affordability and culturally responsive health services remain central concerns for many whānau in Te Tai Tonga.

He says communities also want to see stronger protection for whenua and moana, as well as a renewed commitment to upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in government policy and decision-making.

Te Tai Tonga is the largest of the Māori electorates geographically, covering the entire South Island, Stewart Island and parts of the Wellington region. The electorate includes a diverse range of communities, iwi authorities and rural and urban centres, creating a wide range of economic, environmental and social issues for candidates to engage with.

Ramsden’s background working with iwi and community organisations is being positioned by Labour as a key strength as the party looks to reconnect with Māori voters across the electorate.

Jackson says Ramsden’s knowledge of the rohe and relationships across communities will help strengthen Labour’s presence in Te Tai Tonga and ensure local issues are represented strongly at a national level.

The candidate selection signals Labour’s early preparations for the election campaign as the party works to rebuild support across the Māori electorates while highlighting policies focused on economic security, social wellbeing and the protection of Māori rights and interests.

Ramsden says his campaign will centre on delivering practical outcomes for whānau while ensuring that the voices and aspirations of communities across Te Tai Tonga are represented in Parliament.