As the Government unveils Budget 2026, Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel says Māori communities will be watching closely to see whether the Budget delivers meaningful investment into whānau wellbeing, regional development, housing, education and economic opportunity.
Representing one of the country’s largest and most diverse electorates, stretching from Wairarapa through Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne and down the East Coast, Tangaere-Manuel says the realities facing whānau across Ikaroa-Rāwhiti remain deeply shaped by cost-of-living pressures, housing shortages, strained health services and limited employment opportunities in regional communities.
The Labour MP says success for Māori in this year’s Budget would mean tangible investment that directly improves outcomes for whānau rather than short-term announcements lacking long-term impact. Key priorities include strengthening frontline services, supporting rangatahi, improving access to healthcare, and ensuring regional Māori communities are not left behind in national economic planning.
Regional infrastructure and local economic growth are expected to remain major concerns throughout Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, where many communities continue rebuilding from severe weather events, including Cyclone Gabrielle, while also dealing with longstanding issues around transport connectivity, housing resilience and access to essential services.
Tangaere-Manuel says investment into regional development is critical not only for economic growth, but also for retaining young people, supporting whānau stability and strengthening Māori-led initiatives across the electorate.
Housing affordability and availability continue to be major pressures for many communities throughout the East Coast and Hawke’s Bay regions, with overcrowding and rising rents placing additional stress on whānau already struggling with inflation and increasing living costs.
Education is also emerging as a key political battleground following renewed debate around charter schools and their growing support among some Māori communities seeking alternative pathways for student success.
Tangaere-Manuel says the conversation reflects wider frustrations many whānau feel toward mainstream education systems that have historically failed to adequately serve Māori learners. Supporters of charter schools argue they provide culturally grounded environments and tailored learning approaches, while critics continue raising concerns around accountability, funding and long-term equity across the public education sector.
The debate has intensified following the Government’s move to reintroduce charter schools, with some kaupapa Māori education providers expressing interest in models that allow greater autonomy and culturally responsive teaching.
Across Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, the MP says whānau continue raising concerns about mental health support, access to healthcare, employment insecurity, youth wellbeing and the rising cost of everyday essentials including food, fuel and power.
Rural isolation remains another major challenge throughout the electorate, particularly for smaller Māori communities where limited transport infrastructure and service access continue to create barriers for whānau seeking healthcare, education and employment opportunities.
Tangaere-Manuel says much of her recent focus has centred on listening directly to communities, supporting recovery efforts, and advocating for sustained Government investment into regions often overlooked in national decision-making.
As Budget 2026 is delivered, Māori communities across Ikaroa-Rāwhiti will be looking for signs that the Government is prepared to back long-term solutions that support whānau resilience, rangatahi aspirations and regional prosperity.
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