# Te Pāti Māori one-person list for 2026 election

> Te Pāti Māori announces a single candidate list for 2026 election.
- Title: Te Pāti Māori one-person list for 2026 election · RNZ
- Summary: Te Pāti Māori announces a single candidate list for 2026 election. Te Pāti Māori selects one list candidate for 2026 election to prioritize Māori…
- Keywords: te pati māori, 2026 election, māori electorates, candidate vote, party vote, lance norman, rawiri waititi, debbie ngarewa-packer, politics, news, Pāti, Māori
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1715173/te-pati-maori-announces-one-person-party-list-for-2026-election
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-04T00:33:37+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: te pati māori, 2026 election, māori electorates, candidate vote, party vote, lance norman, rawiri waititi, debbie ngarewa-packer, politics, news
## 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
## Key takeaway

Te Pāti Māori selects one list candidate for 2026 election to prioritize Māori representation over party list growth.