# Gang Controversy Fails to Dect Te Pāti Māori Support

> Te Pāti Māori's top performers remain strong despite gang controversy.
- Title: Gang Controversy Fails to Dect Te Pāti Māori Support · RNZ
- Summary: Te Pāti Māori's top performers remain strong despite gang controversy. Te Pāti Māori's strongest candidates avoided voter backlash after being linked to gang…
- Keywords: te pati māori, mihingarangi forbes, tina wickliffe, oreini kaipara, hana-rawhiti maipi-clarke, te tai tokerau, aperahama edwards, hūhana lyndon, RNZ
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/2559678/gang-controversy-fails-to-dent-support-for-te-pati-maori-s-top-performers
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-11-12T09:32:56+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: te pati māori, mihingarangi forbes, tina wickliffe, oreini kaipara, hana-rawhiti maipi-clarke, te tai tokerau, aperahama edwards, hūhana lyndon, politics, news
## Gang Controversy Fails to Dect Support
Te Pāti Māori's top performers emerged strong despite gang meeting controversy.

> Mihingarangi Forbes
## Oriini Kaipara's Strong Results
Kaipara increased winning margin by meeting Sikh community and visiting every kura kaupapa.
## Te Tai Tokerau Election Result
Aperahama Edwards holds narrow 436-vote lead over Hūhana Lyndon in Te Tai Tokerau.
## Te Pāti Māori's Party Impact
Te Pāti Māori's collapse left Ferris and Kapa-Kingi without party infrastructure to compete.
## Key takeaway

Te Pāti Māori's strongest candidates avoided voter backlash after being linked to gang meetings, showing Māori voters prioritize political engagement over gang ties.