# 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.
- Title: Te Tai Hauāuru: Close race with sadness · RNZ | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: te tai hauāuru, debbie ngarewa-packer, te pāti māori, labour, national, coral raukawa, adrian rurawhe, politics, news, Tai, Hauāuru, Close
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/2081586/te-tai-hauauru-a-close-race-tinged-with-sadness
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-22T00:46:52+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: te tai hauāuru, debbie ngarewa-packer, te pāti māori, labour, national, coral raukawa, adrian rurawhe, politics, news
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.