Te Pāti Māori
Te Pāti Māori
Opposition Founded 2004
Co-leaders
Rawiri Waititi & Debbie Ngarewa-Packer
Māori political party advocating for indigenous rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi
6
Seats
4.9% of 123
Overview
Te Pāti Māori is a political party founded to represent Māori interests, uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and advance Māori sovereignty and self-determination. All six of the party's seats are Māori electorate seats. The party is currently in opposition in the 54th Parliament.
History
Te Pāti Māori was founded in 2004 after the Foreshore and Seabed Act controversy prompted Māori MPs to leave the Labour Party. The party has played a significant role in NZ politics since, serving in confidence and supply arrangements with National (2008–2014) before returning to parliament in 2020 and gaining its strongest result in 2023.
Founded in 2004 to provide independent Māori political representation
Core values
Upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of Aotearoa
Māori sovereignty and self-determination (tino rangatiratanga)
Revitalisation of te reo Māori and Māori culture
Health, housing, and education equity for Māori
Economic development for Māori communities and iwi
Environmental protection guided by kaitiakitanga (guardianship)
Where they stand
Tap an issue to read Te Pāti Māori’s position on it, in our words with their source. 10 of 11 topics have a recorded position.
Te Pāti Māori on Economy
Tax the wealthy; grow Māori-led economy and lift incomes
Te Pāti Māori says the wealthiest should pay more tax, with that money going to housing, health, and education. They want to grow Māori-owned businesses and funds, protect Māori knowledge and data, and lift incomes so people can live with dignity. They also want to make transport more affordable and strengthen welfare support for whānau struggling with everyday costs.
What they say they'll do
- Make the wealthiest pay more tax and use revenue for public services
- Build Māori-led institutions and funds to grow Māori enterprise and wealth
- Protect Māori data and knowledge through data sovereignty
- Lift incomes so people can live with dignity
- Strengthen welfare so whānau are not penalised for being poor
- Back practical cost-of-living relief including transport affordability
Who this affects
Low-income whānau
The party says it will lift incomes and strengthen welfare so whānau are not forced to choose between essentials like food, rent, power, transport, medicine, or school costs.
Māori business owners and entrepreneurs
The party says it will build Māori-led institutions and funds to support Māori enterprise, trade, innovation, and long-term wealth building.
Wealthy individuals
The party says it will require the wealthiest to pay more tax, with that revenue directed toward housing, health, education, and whānau support.
Public transport users
The party says it will back practical cost-of-living relief that includes making transport more affordable.
In their own words
“Make sure the wealthiest pay their fair share. Use that revenue to fund housing, health, education and whānau support.”
“Economic power is political power. This is about restoring what was taken and growing Māori wealth.”
“No whānau should be forced to choose between kai, rent, power, transport, medicine, or school costs.”
Summarised neutrally from Te Pāti Māori’s own official policy (as at 2026-06-23) and checked by an editor. Nothing is paraphrased without the source linked. Read the original ↗ Arapono is non-partisan. Compare all parties on Economy →
Legislative record this term
54th Parliament · as at 28 August 2026
As an opposition party, Te Pāti Māori doesn’t lead government bills (only ministers can). Its MPs advance policy through members’ bills: each MP may lodge one in a ballot, and a few are drawn at random each fortnight to be introduced. Most never are, so the ballot figure below is what’s waiting rather than what’s before Parliament.
0
Members’ bills passed into law
3
Lodged in the ballot, not yet introduced
0
Before the House now
At a glance
6 electorate 0 list
Total seats6
Electorate seats6
List seats0
Share of House4.9%
Founded2004
Latest coverage
News and video mentioning Te Pāti Māori, from the sources on our coverage page.
In the news
Te Pāti Māori’s one-tick trick could change the governmentNewsroom · 27 AugReturning to first past the post won’t give Luxon the power he wantsNewsroom · 27 AugTe Pāti Māori unveils 'Kiwi tax plan' with new 5 percent 'stamp duty'RNZ · 26 AugElection 2026: Te Pāti Māori promises five new taxes, income rate shake-up, little detail on ‘Kai Credit’NZ Herald · 26 AugTe Pāti Māori proposes 48% income tax rate, tax credit for kaiStuff · 26 Aug
All news On video
Te Pāti Māori proposes 48% income tax rate, tax credit for kai | Stu…Stuff · 26 Aug#BHN Seymour, mask off with Moana | TPM announce Kiwi tax plan | Odd…Big Hairy Network · 26 AugNZ Herald Live: Te Pāti Māori tax policy announcementNZ Herald — Herald NOW / Ryan Bridge · 26 AugPost-coup chat, with guest star Chris PenkThe Spinoff · 21 Aug
Sources
Seat counts from the 2023 General Election (Electoral Commission). Party background from parliament.nz and official party records. Leadership verified against the parliament.nz member roster.