From RNZ · RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa · · 1m
Māori Seats Green Wave
Greens surge in Māori seats as Te Pāti Māori faces narrow margins.
In brief
Greens surge in Māori seats as Te Pāti Māori faces narrow margins. Greens gain over 30% party vote in Māori electorates after Te Pāti Māori's strategic vote shift. Originally reported by RNZ.
Te Pāti Māori wins five seats
Te Pāti Māori secured five of seven Māori electorates in the 2026 election.
Narrowing margins
Te Pāti Māori's lead over runners-up decreased hugely compared to 2023.
Historical context
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer noted margins have historically been close in Māori seats.
Green wave
Greens' party vote share rose from below 10% to over 30% in Māori electorates.
Te Tai Tokerau race
Te Pāti Māori's Aperahama Edwards led Greens' Hūhana Lyndon by 436 votes.
Strategic vote
Te Pāti Māori's candidate-only strategy aimed to shift party votes to Labour or Greens.
Māori voter shift
Māori voters increasingly see Green Party as a viable representation option.
What it means
Greens gain over 30% party vote in Māori electorates after Te Pāti Māori's strategic vote shift.
