Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader Rawiri Waititi is calling on Māori voters to enrol and participate in the 2026 General Election, saying the outcome will have significant implications for Māori rights, representation and the future direction of Aotearoa.
Speaking to Radio Waatea as election campaigning intensifies, Waititi said Te Pāti Māori is focused on mobilising Māori communities to have their voices heard at the ballot box, arguing that strong voter turnout will be critical in determining the next Parliament.
His comments come as enrolment deadlines approach and political parties ramp up campaigning across the country.
Waititi says Te Pāti Māori’s campaign is centred on protecting Te Tiriti o Waitangi, defending Māori rights and advancing policies that strengthen whānau, hapū and iwi.
Among the issues the party is highlighting is the Government’s decision to repeal Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements, legislation designed to strengthen relationships between iwi and local authorities in resource management processes.
Te Pāti Māori has strongly opposed the move, arguing it weakens opportunities for iwi to participate in environmental decision-making and undermines commitments to partnership under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The party has also continued its criticism of a number of Government policies affecting Māori, including reforms across health, education, housing and natural resource management, describing the election as a choice between continuing those changes or restoring greater recognition of Māori rights and aspirations.
Earlier this year, Te Pāti Māori outlined a strategy aimed at defeating the current coalition government by encouraging high Māori voter turnout and working to maximise support across the Māori electorates.
The party believes increasing participation on both the Māori roll and at polling booths will be essential if Māori are to influence the makeup of the next government.
Candidate selections are also continuing ahead of the election.
Co-Leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has been reselected to contest the Te Tai Hauāuru electorate, where she will again campaign on issues including housing, health, education, environmental protection and constitutional transformation.
Waititi says Te Pāti Māori remains focused on policies that promote tino rangatiratanga, improve economic opportunities for Māori and address persistent inequities experienced by whānau across Aotearoa.
He says every eligible Māori voter has an opportunity to influence the country’s future by enrolling, casting their vote and encouraging others to do the same.
With political parties continuing to release policies and candidates across the country, Te Pāti Māori says the coming weeks will be critical as voters consider competing visions for the future of Māori representation, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the direction of the nation.
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