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Summarised by Centrist
Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, the ex-Te Pāti Māori MP for Te Tai Tokerau, has launched the Te Tai Tokerau Party after months of conflict with Te Pāti Māori.
Beyond slogans centred on tino rangatiratanga, local decision-making and mana mokopuna, the new party has yet to outline detailed policies.
Despite this, Kapa-Kingi says nearly 200 people have already signed up as financial backers, although a party needs 500 paying members to be registered.
She has not confirmed whether it will stand candidates outside Te Tai Tokerau, but said it is something the party is considering.
National’s Chris Bishop suggested Kapa-Kingi may find the Electoral Commission will not allow her to call the party Te Tai Tokerau. The commission said there is no specific rule banning electorate names, but names must not mislead or confuse voters.
Asked whether there was any party she would refuse to work with, Kapa-Kingi did not rule anyone out. She has previously said she would take a call from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon if he needed her support to form a government, adding: “Imagine having Te Tai Tokerau at that table.”
Former Māori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell warned, “If you go out by yourself, your chances are very, very slim”. But he also raised the prospect of one or two independent Māori MPs becoming kingmakers in a tight Parliament.
The split has also caused confusion around Oriini Kaipara’s position. Kaipara later confirmed she remains loyal to Te Pāti Māori after a spokesperson mistakenly told Stuff she was still considering her options. Te Pāti Māori said it would make a formal complaint.
Kapa-Kingi will face Labour’s Willow-Jean Prime, the Greens’ Hūhana Lyndon and a Te Pāti Māori candidate in Te Tai Tokerau.
