Oriini Kaipara Nominates for Te Pāti Māori's Tāmaki Makaurau By-Election
A New Voice for Tāmaki Makaurau
Oriini Kaipara, a former broadcaster and journalist, has announced her candidacy for Te Pāti Māori's upcoming by-election in the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate. This follows the tragic passing of MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp, which has triggered a by-election in the Māori electorate.
A Strong Māori Advocate
Kaipara, who hails from Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe, Tūwharetoa, and Ngāti Rangitihi, has a long history of advocating for Māori voices and culture. She is currently serving as the Pouwhiringa Māori culture lead for the New Zealand Olympic Committee. In a heartfelt social media post, she described Tāmaki Makaurau as "a heartbeat"—a place where urban Māori and mana whenua unite in strength and resilience.
"Tō reo. Tō tāua anamata. Kia matike tahi tātou. I see you. I hear you. I am you. We are the movement."
Community-Driven Leadership
Kaipara emphasized that her decision to run is driven by the call from her community, particularly from Hoani Waititi Marae in west Auckland, where she was once a student. She expressed her commitment to working alongside current Te Pāti Māori MPs to represent the electorate effectively.
Members of the Māori Party are invited to register and attend a hui at Hoani Waititi Marae this Thursday to vote in the candidate selection process. Kaipara's announcement has sparked interest and support from many who see her as a strong and authentic voice for the community.
A New Chapter in Politics
While Kaipara has long observed parliamentary politics, this marks her first foray into active political candidacy. Her background in media and her deep connection to Māori culture position her as a compelling candidate for the electorate. As the by-election approaches, all eyes will be on the hui to see who will represent Tāmaki Makaurau in Parliament.
This is a pivotal moment for the electorate and for Māori representation in New Zealand politics. Oriini Kaipara's candidacy reflects the ongoing commitment to ensuring that Māori voices are heard and valued at the highest levels of governance.
