Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka has joined Radio Waatea’s Matthew Tukaki to discuss the increasingly competitive road to Election 2026, his campaign on the ground and the Government’s economic pitch to voters.
With recent polling highlighting cost of living as a major concern for Māori voters and showing a fragmented political landscape, Potaka discusses what National needs to do to build support as the November 7 election approaches.
The conversation also turns to investment in the regions, jobs, infrastructure and the Māori economy, with Potaka outlining the Government’s focus on economic development and creating opportunities outside the major centres.
Government investment through the Māori Development Fund has included more than $3.4 million announced this month for Māori enterprises, while earlier funding rounds have targeted business growth, employment and exports.
Potaka talks with Tukaki about the challenge of turning investment into tangible gains for whānau, the economic issues confronting voters, and what he is hearing while campaigning locally.
With Election Day drawing closer, the discussion puts the polls, the regions, the economy and Māori development firmly under the spotlight.
#TamaPotaka #MatthewTukaki #Election2026 #MāoriDevelopment #MāoriEconomy #RegionalDevelopment #Economy #Jobs #Infrastructure #CostOfLiving #NationalParty #NZPolitics #MāoriPolitics #PakihiMāori #Whānau #TeAoMāori #Aotearoa #WaateaNews #RadioWaatea
