Te Pāti Māori has intensified its campaign ahead of the 2026 General Election, unveiling a new candidate for Te Tai Tonga, renewing calls for greater Crown action to protect Māori overseas, and accusing the Government of systematically dismantling Treaty-based partnerships.
The announcements come as Māori electoral participation continues to evolve, with more than half of enrolled Māori voters now choosing the Māori electoral roll, reflecting growing engagement with Māori political representation in Aotearoa.
New Candidate for Te Tai Tonga
Te Pāti Māori has confirmed Lisa Marie Murch as its candidate for the Te Tai Tonga electorate.
Born and raised in Murihiku, Murch brings experience across education, kaupapa Māori teaching and community leadership. The party says her campaign will focus on strengthening Māori representation, improving outcomes for whānau and advancing mana motuhake across Te Waipounamu.
The announcement forms part of Te Pāti Māori’s wider election strategy as it seeks to retain and expand its parliamentary presence ahead of polling later this year.
Opposition to Resource Management Changes
The party has also strongly criticised the Government’s proposal to remove Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements as part of its replacement of the Resource Management Act.
Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements provide a statutory framework for councils and iwi to work together on decisions affecting whenua and wai through agreed processes for engagement, planning and dispute resolution. Te Pāti Māori argues their removal weakens practical Treaty partnerships and reduces Māori participation in environmental decision-making.
The Government maintains its wider planning reforms are intended to simplify resource management processes while continuing to provide opportunities for iwi participation under the new framework.
Māori Roll and Economic Pressures
The party’s campaign is unfolding against a backdrop of increasing Māori political participation and ongoing economic challenges.
Electoral data has previously shown that a majority of enrolled Māori voters are now registered on the Māori electoral roll, reflecting continued growth in Māori electoral engagement.
At the same time, rising living costs, wage pressures and economic inequality remain key election issues. Recent international comparisons have highlighted weak wage growth in New Zealand relative to other developed economies, placing additional pressure on many households already facing high housing and everyday living costs.
Election Campaign Intensifies
With the election campaign now underway, Te Pāti Māori is positioning itself around a platform centred on mana motuhake, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, environmental protection, justice reform and stronger Māori representation.
The party says the coming election will determine not only the direction of economic and social policy but also the future relationship between the Crown and tangata whenua, making constitutional issues, environmental governance and Māori participation central themes of the campaign.
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