From RNZ · RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa · · 1m 10s
Te Tai Hauāuru: Close race with sadness
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer faces tight race in Te Tai Hauāuru after mother's death and recent election losses.
In brief
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer faces tight race in Te Tai Hauāuru after mother's death and recent election losses. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Te Pāti Māori co-leader, likely wins Te Tai Hauāuru seat but faces close challenge from Labour and National candidate Coral Raukawa. Originally reported by RNZ.
Te Tai Hauāuru electorate
Te Tai Hauāuru covers Porirua to Putāruru and Ōpunake to Ohakune, spanning multiple iwi and Rātana movement.
2023 election result
Ngarewa-Packer won with 16,288 votes, ahead of Labour's Soraya Peke-Mason with 7,126 votes.
Recent death of Adrian Rurawhe
Former Labour MP and Speaker Adrian Rurawhe died, with all six parties attending his tangihanga.
Ngarewa-Packer's mother passes
Ngarewa-Packer confirmed her mother Colleen Ngarewa's death in a social media post.
Labour candidate Te Pūoho Katene
Te Pūoho Katene, a Fulbright scholar, criticises government for undermining Māori economic autonomy.
“What we've seen in the last three years is a government who has thrown out their considerations for people, thrown out their considerations for taiao, in order to favourite corporates.”
National candidate Coral Raukawa
Coral Raukawa, the only National candidate in a Māori electorate, says Māori are not a single voting bloc.
“Māori are not one single voting bloc. We've got Māori business owners, farmers, professionals, beneficiaries, kaumātua, our rangatahi and even our own whānau.”
2026 election outcome
Ngarewa-Packer likely wins Te Tai Hauāuru seat in close race with Labour and National candidates.
The main idea
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Te Pāti Māori co-leader, likely wins Te Tai Hauāuru seat but faces close challenge from Labour and National candidate Coral Raukawa.
