Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi is seeking to turn criticism from Hobson’s Pledge into political momentum, arguing opposition to his party is evidence its kaupapa is gaining greater attention heading towards Election 2026.
In a recent social media post, Waititi characterised campaigning against Te Pāti Māori by Hobson’s Pledge as free advertising and linked it to his party’s claim that Māori could have significant influence over the shape of the next Parliament.
Hobson’s Pledge is campaigning on constitutional and Treaty-related issues, including changes to the Waitangi Tribunal. The organisation says it supports equal citizenship and opposes policy distinctions based on ancestry, while Te Pāti Māori is campaigning to strengthen Te Tiriti mechanisms, including making Waitangi Tribunal recommendations binding.
Waititi has also been promoting a wider Te Pāti Māori policy platform spanning taxation, household costs, energy ownership, Te Tiriti and Māori political representation. Its Energy Sovereignty policy, for example, proposes a $1 billion fund to support Māori and community-owned energy assets.
There is some evidence of strong support for the party among Māori-roll voters, although that does not establish broader electoral momentum. A September Whakaata Māori–Curia poll recorded Te Pāti Māori on 29 percent among Māori-roll respondents, compared with Labour on 27 percent and the Greens on 16 percent.
Waititi joins Ata Tū on Radio Waatea to discuss the party’s election strategy, its policy priorities and why he believes attacks from political opponents and advocacy groups are strengthening rather than weakening its campaign.
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