Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere says discussion about strategic voting, party management and candidate safety must not distract from the bigger political fight facing Māori communities.
Tamihere says voters are entitled to ask questions and raise concerns, but he believes the party’s focus remains firmly on strengthening Māori representation, protecting candidates and challenging the direction of the coalition government.
He says Te Pāti Māori is heading into the election with a strong line-up across the Māori electorates, including a major push in Te Tai Tonga, where Lisa-Marie Murch has been announced as the party’s candidate.
Tamihere says the party is working to support its candidates through campaign infrastructure, community networks, political training and safety planning, particularly in an environment where Māori political figures are increasingly exposed to online abuse and public hostility.
He says the safety of candidates, volunteers and whānau is being treated seriously, with the party determined to ensure its people can campaign confidently and remain connected to their communities.
On strategic voting, Tamihere says Māori voters understand what is at stake and will make their own decisions based on who they believe will best defend Māori rights, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and whānau interests.
He says Te Pāti Māori’s priority is to grow political influence so it can push policies centred on mana motuhake, constitutional transformation, Māori economic development, housing, health, education and the protection of whenua and taonga.
Tamihere argues the coalition government’s approach has weakened Māori voice across multiple areas, including Māori wards, Te Tiriti policy, health reforms, public sector language and local government representation.
He says the gap between government rhetoric and reality is clearest on the ground, where whānau continue to face high housing costs, unemployment, poor access to healthcare and underfunded Māori-led services.
Te Pāti Māori says its response would include stronger investment in kaupapa Māori services, expanded Māori housing initiatives, protection of Māori representation, support for rangatahi pathways and economic policies designed to build intergenerational Māori wealth.
Tamihere says the party’s role is not simply to oppose the Government, but to offer a Māori-led alternative based on self-determination, collective wellbeing and accountability to whānau, hapū and iwi.
With the election campaign intensifying, he says Te Pāti Māori will continue to focus on the issues affecting communities rather than political noise.
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