#regional: Oriini Kaipara Reflects on Loss, Culture and Cost Pressures Facing Whānau

daleTe Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara is continuing to centre her focus on whānau and community priorities, even as her party navigates internal challenges and a rapidly shifting political landscape.

Her reflections this week have spanned both personal and national significance, including the passing of respected broadcaster Moari Stafford. A long-serving editor and reporter for Te Karere and a director of the Waka Huia series, Stafford’s contribution to Māori media has been widely acknowledged as foundational, helping to preserve stories, language and identity across generations. His influence is being remembered not just within broadcasting, but across the wider Māori storytelling landscape.

Alongside that sense of loss, Kaipara has pointed to moments of cultural strength and renewal, with the return of ASB Polyfest highlighting the vitality of rangatahi Māori and Pacific communities. The festival continues to serve as a platform for cultural expression, language and identity, while also building confidence and leadership among young people.

For Kaipara, events like Polyfest provide a direct connection to the aspirations of the communities she represents. In the midst of political pressures, the festival environment offers a grounding reminder of the importance of investing in rangatahi and ensuring that cultural identity remains central to future development.

At the same time, she has raised ongoing concerns about the rising cost of living, particularly as fuel prices continue to climb. Across Tāmaki Makaurau, the impacts are being felt acutely, with transport costs placing additional strain on already stretched household budgets.

The flow-on effects are being seen in everyday decisions, from the ability to travel to work and school, to the rising cost of food and housing. For many Māori households, the combination of these pressures is intensifying existing inequities and creating further barriers to stability.

Kaipara has signalled the need for urgent and practical responses to address these challenges, particularly for those most vulnerable. This includes a stronger focus on affordability across essential services, improved access to transport options, and targeted support to ensure whānau are not left behind.

Despite the political and economic headwinds, her message remains centred on resilience and representation. By continuing to engage directly with communities and elevate their voices, Kaipara is positioning her work around the lived realities of whānau, balancing the demands of Parliament with the needs on the ground.