Hauraki-Waikato MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke has confirmed she will remain with Te Pāti Māori for the upcoming election, rejecting speculation she could align with a new Māori political movement.
The confirmation ends weeks of discussion about her political future and positions her as one of Te Pāti Māori’s key candidates heading into the next campaign.
Maipi-Clarke has also pushed back against calls for division and tribalism within te ao Māori, arguing the focus must remain on kotahitanga and the wider kaupapa of Māori political representation.
Her decision comes as Te Pāti Māori prepares an ambitious campaign to target all seven Māori electorates at the next election.
The Hauraki-Waikato MP has become one of the most recognisable young political figures in Aotearoa, drawing national and international attention for her advocacy on Māori rights, rangatahi leadership and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Her profile grew further after she was named on the 2025 TIME100 Next list, recognising her as one of the world’s rising leaders and an Indigenous voice attracting global attention.
Maipi-Clarke has also continued to take a strong stance on education, backing urgent Waitangi Tribunal scrutiny of proposed reforms that critics say could weaken support for Māori learners, te reo Māori and tikanga within schools.
As Te Pāti Māori moves into election mode, her role is expected to be central not only in defending Hauraki-Waikato, but also in mobilising rangatahi and whānau across the motu.
Her message is that Māori political power must be strengthened through unity rather than fragmentation.
With new political movements emerging and debates continuing inside te ao Māori, Maipi-Clarke’s decision gives Te Pāti Māori a major boost as it seeks to consolidate support and expand its influence in Parliament.
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