Te Pāti Māori has announced Lisa Marie Murch as its candidate for Te Tai Tonga in the 2026 General Election.
Born and raised in Murihiku, Murch brings a background in education, kaupapa Māori learning and community service across Te Waipounamu.
A mother at 16, Murch has worked her way from cleaning and baking roles to becoming a head baker, bilingual primary teacher, kaupapa Māori educator and education specialist in Murihiku and Ōtepoti schools.
Te Pāti Māori says her candidacy is grounded in lived experience, whakapapa and a commitment to whānau Māori across the South Island.
The party’s co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer say Murch represents the kind of leadership needed for Te Tai Tonga, particularly for whānau who want stronger Māori representation and kaupapa Māori solutions.
The announcement comes as Te Pāti Māori prepares for a major contest across the Māori electorates in 2026. The party says it is focused on removing the coalition Government, winning the Māori seats and ensuring an independent Māori voice has influence in the next Parliament.
Te Tai Tonga is expected to be one of the key battlegrounds of the election, covering a vast electorate across Te Waipounamu, Rakiura and parts of Wellington.
