Housing insecurity, rangatahi wellbeing, environmental protection and the future of te reo Māori are emerging as central themes in Te Pāti Māori candidate Haley Maxwell’s campaign to represent Ikaroa-Rāwhiti in the 2026 General Election.
A long-time community advocate, kaihaka and campaigner, Maxwell has built her profile through work supporting rangatahi justice, language revitalisation and whānau-led initiatives across the East Coast. Her campaign reflects Te Pāti Māori’s focus on Māori-led solutions that place communities at the centre of decision-making.
One of the biggest issues confronting the electorate is housing.
Recent reports have highlighted growing levels of rough sleeping and housing insecurity across Tairāwhiti, with many whānau struggling to find safe, affordable and secure accommodation. Community organisations have warned that housing shortages continue to place pressure on emergency accommodation, transitional housing and support services.
Maxwell says the housing crisis cannot be viewed simply as a shortage of houses. It is closely linked to poverty, access to employment, health, education and the ability of whānau to remain connected to their communities.
She argues that immediate action should focus on increasing affordable housing, supporting Māori housing providers and enabling iwi and hapū to develop housing solutions tailored to local needs.
The challenges facing rangatahi are equally concerning.
More than 1,000 young people in Gisborne have been identified as living without stable or suitable housing, highlighting the scale of housing insecurity affecting young people across the region.
The figures point to wider issues including limited employment opportunities, barriers to education, mental health pressures and the shortage of affordable housing available to young whānau beginning their adult lives.
Maxwell believes addressing these challenges requires investment in prevention rather than crisis response, with greater support for kaupapa Māori services, education pathways, youth employment and whānau-centred programmes designed and delivered by local communities.
Environmental protection is another key issue within the campaign.
Te Pāti Māori has opposed the Government’s Conservation Amendment Bill, arguing proposed changes risk weakening long-standing protections for public conservation land and diminishing the role of tangata whenua as kaitiaki.
For communities throughout Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, conservation is closely connected to whakapapa, customary practices and the protection of culturally significant landscapes, waterways and coastal environments.
The party says future conservation reforms should strengthen environmental protections, recognise Māori leadership in conservation management and ensure Te Tiriti o Waitangi remains central to decisions affecting public land.
As campaigning continues across the electorate, Maxwell says voters consistently raise three major concerns.
The first is the rising cost of living, with many households struggling to meet everyday expenses while housing costs continue to increase.
The second is access to secure housing and opportunities for young people to remain in their home communities rather than relocating elsewhere in search of work or affordable accommodation.
The third is ensuring Māori voices remain influential in decisions affecting whenua, education, health and community development.
These priorities reflect Te Pāti Māori’s broader platform, which places significant emphasis on whānau-led development, constitutional recognition of Te Tiriti and increasing Māori participation in decision-making across all levels of government.
Beyond politics, Maxwell has also welcomed the continued success of the Kura Tuarua Kapa Haka competition, describing it as one of the country’s most important showcases of emerging Māori leadership.
The standard of performance this year has once again highlighted the strength of te reo Māori, tikanga and kapa haka among secondary school students. The competition continues to nurture confident young leaders who are carrying their language, culture and identity proudly into the future.
For many communities, the event represents more than artistic excellence. It demonstrates the resilience of Māori culture and the growing confidence of a new generation committed to strengthening te ao Māori for those who follow.
As the election campaign gathers momentum, Haley Maxwell’s focus remains firmly on building stronger whānau, healthier communities and ensuring the voices of Ikaroa-Rāwhiti are reflected in Parliament.
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