‘Money where our mouth is’

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 5, 2026

Te Pāti Māori has announced a party list with only one additional candidate beyond its seven Māori electorate nominees for the 2026 New Zealand general election, selecting General Secretary Lance Norman as the sole list candidate. This strategy aims to prioritize Māori electorate representation while encouraging supporters to split their votes to boost Māori MPs, a move that could increase their parliamentary presence but also faces criticism from some politicians concerned about the future of Māori seats.

Te Pāti Māori has confirmed a streamlined approach for the 2026 New Zealand general election by announcing a party list featuring only one candidate outside its seven Māori electorate contenders. The party revealed on October 25 that Lance Norman, its General Secretary, was selected unanimously as the sole additional list candidate.

This decision reflects Te Pāti Māori’s continued focus on prioritizing collective Māori representation through electorate seats rather than expanding its party list. Co-leader Rawiri Waititi described the list as evidence that the party is “putting our money where our mouth is,” emphasizing a commitment to grassroots representation over a lengthy party list.

The party’s other co-leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, reiterated this stance, highlighting that the party views the upcoming election as “bigger than any one party.” She urged supporters to cast their candidate vote for Te Pāti Māori while allocating their party vote to either the Green Party or the Labour Party. Ngarewa-Packer said this strategy backs the party’s seven Māori electorate candidates and aligns with the approach outlined earlier this year.

In August, Te Pāti Māori had encouraged its supporters to divide their votes, giving the candidate vote to Te Pāti Māori while directing their party vote to the broader left-wing bloc. Waititi suggested that this coordinated vote could enable as many as 13 Māori MPs to enter Parliament, potentially resulting in an overhang where additional seats are temporarily created to reflect proportional representation.

However, not all political figures have embraced this tactic. Labour MP Willie Jackson criticized the strategy, warning it could provoke backlash against the Māori electorates. Jackson expressed concern that manipulating the electoral system in this manner might lead to efforts to abolish the Māori seats altogether.

As the 2026 election approaches, Te Pāti Māori’s streamlined party list and strategic vote allocation underscore its goal of maximizing Māori representation while cooperating with allied political groups. The party’s approach continues to draw attention and debate regarding the future of Māori seats within New Zealand’s electoral framework.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.