Te Pāti Māori President John Tamihere says he has not received any communication from Hauraki-Waikato MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke as speculation intensifies around a possible new political movement involving former NZ First MP Tukoroirangi Morgan.
Speaking in a wide-ranging interview on Radio Waatea, Tamihere addressed mounting political chatter following reports linking Morgan to the registration of a new political party known as NUAO.
Tamihere told listeners directly he had not received a phone call from Maipi-Clarke amid the growing public discussion surrounding the emerging political entity and its possible connections within Māori politics.
The comments come after Radio Waatea reported that regional leaders were already aware of efforts connected to the proposed political movement linked to Morgan.
Further reporting has also confirmed party registration activity surrounding NUAO, with increasing political scrutiny focusing on the Hauraki-Waikato electorate — currently held by Maipi-Clarke after her historic victory in 2023.
Questions are now being raised about whether the new political organisation could challenge Te Pāti Māori’s growing influence within key Māori electorates ahead of the next general election.
Neither Maipi-Clarke nor Morgan have publicly confirmed any formal political alignment between the MP and the emerging party structure.
Tamihere’s comments are likely to fuel further speculation, particularly given Te Pāti Māori’s recent momentum and the heightened political focus on Māori representation, sovereignty, and economic development.
The Radio Waatea interview also touched on broader tensions across Māori political spaces, with debates continuing around leadership, succession, generational change, and strategic direction.
Political observers say any fragmentation within the Māori political landscape could have major implications for future coalition negotiations and Māori voter turnout.
For now, however, Tamihere says no direct conversation has taken place.
#TePātiMāori #JohnTamihere #HanaRawhitiMaipiClarke #NUAO #TukoroirangiMorgan #MāoriPolitics #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #HaurakiWaikato #NZPolitics #TeAoMāori #MāoriRepresentation #AotearoaPolitics #Election2026 #IwiPolitics
