Te Pāti Māori announces one-person list

Te Pāti Māori says it has made a deliberate decision to put collective Māori representation ahead of building a long party list for the 2026 election.

“We made a deliberate decision to put collective Māori representation ahead of building a long party list.”

Lance Norman selected unanimously

The party announced Lance Norman, General Secretary of Te Pāti Māori, as the only additional list candidate selected 'unanimously' for the 2026 General Election.

Co-Leader Rawiri Waititi statement

Co-Leader Rawiri Waititi said the list proves Te Pāti Māori is putting its money where its mouth is for the 2026 election.

“This list proves we are putting our money where our mouth is”

Co-Leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer statement

Co-Leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer asked supporters to cast their candidate vote for Te Pāti Māori and party vote for Green or Labour for the 2026 election.

Strategy could create overhang

The strategy could lead to an overhang in Parliament where there are more seats than expected due to the 2026 election.

Criticism from Labour campaign chair

Labour's Māori campaign chair Willie Jackson criticized the approach, saying it could threaten a backlash against Māori seats leading to their abolition.

“it threatened a backlash against the Māori seats that could lead to their abolition”