Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi says the passing of three influential Māori leaders in recent weeks has left a significant void, while also challenging the next generation to carry forward their legacy of service and leadership.
Waititi reflected on the loss of Tā Tamati Reedy, Tā Hirini Moko Mead and most recently Whatarangi Winiata, describing them as towering figures whose contributions to Māori education, language revitalisation, economic development and cultural leadership have shaped generations of Māori.
He says their legacy extends beyond their achievements, leaving expectations for emerging leaders to continue advancing Māori aspirations and strengthening whānau, hapū and iwi throughout Aotearoa.
The comments come as East Coast communities continue to push for greater infrastructure investment following years of storm damage and transport disruption.
Waititi welcomed ongoing funding commitments for State Highway 2 and the Waioeka Gorge route but questioned why State Highway 35 was not included in the latest round of investment priorities.
The East Coast highway remains a vital lifeline for many rural Māori communities, connecting isolated settlements, marae, businesses and essential services. Local leaders have repeatedly called for greater resilience funding to strengthen the route against future weather events.
At the same time, Waititi says many rural communities remain under pressure from rising fuel prices, transport costs and the wider cost-of-living crisis.
He argues that while infrastructure investment is important, many whānau continue to struggle with day-to-day expenses and have seen little direct relief from Government policies.
The discussion follows the release of the coalition Government’s latest Budget, which Waititi says reinforces the need for Te Pāti Māori to continue advocating for policies focused on Māori wellbeing, economic development, housing, health and education.
With the coalition Government now entering the latter stages of its term, Te Pāti Māori is positioning itself for the next election campaign and building on recent electoral gains.
Despite internal challenges and political upheavals over recent years, Waititi says the party now has a stronger and more stable candidate base and is focused on expanding its support across Māori electorates and the party vote.
As co-leader, Waititi says expectations remain high for Te Pāti Māori to provide a strong Māori voice in Parliament and continue challenging policies that the party believes disadvantage Māori communities.
With local government reform, Treaty debates, cost-of-living pressures and constitutional issues expected to dominate the political agenda, Te Pāti Māori is signalling it intends to remain at the centre of those conversations heading into the next election.
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