**Kaipara** Enters Race for Tāmaki Makaurau Seat

Former Newshub presenter aims for Parliament via by-election.

Aiming to fill the seat vacated by the late **Takutai Tarsh Kemp**, former television news presenter **Oriini Kaipara** has announced her bid to become Te Pāti Māori’s candidate in the upcoming Tāmaki Makaurau by-election, setting the stage for a potentially competitive contest.

Key Development

**Kaipara**, previously a presenter for Newshub, revealed her intentions through social media. The announcement signals the start of the selection process within Te Pāti Māori to determine their candidate for the Māori electorate.

Te Pāti Māori has initiated the selection process, which includes expressions of interest closing this Wednesday, and a selection hui scheduled for this Thursday.

“Kua eke te wā. It’s time,” **Kaipara** wrote in an Instagram post.

A date for the by-election to fill the seat has not yet been determined.

Possible Contest

Several other potential candidates are expected to compete for Te Pāti Māori’s nomination in the upcoming by-election.

Meanwhile, Labour MP and former Tāmaki Makaurau seat holder **Peeni Henare** has yet to announce whether he will contend for the seat on behalf of his party.

In the last election, **Kemp** narrowly defeated **Henare** following a recount of votes.

**Kaipara**’s Background

**Kaipara** (Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa, Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Rangitihi) brings over two decades of broadcasting experience, with stints at Whakaata Māori and TVNZ. She gained prominence in 2019 as the first person with moko kauae to present a mainstream news bulletin.

After leaving the media in 2023, according to her LinkedIn profile, **Kaipara** became the NZ Olympic Committee’s Pouwhiringa Māori culture lead and also worked as a public speaker.

Parliamentary Math

If a Te Pāti Māori candidate secures the win in the by-election, the party will maintain its current representation of six MPs.

However, should **Henare**—already a list MP—win the seat for Labour, he would transition to an electorate MP, enabling his party to bring in **Georgie Dansey** from their list, increasing Labour’s seats from 34 to 35.

According to the Electoral Commission, voter turnout in Māori electorates was 65.2% in the 2023 general election, compared to 82.4% in general electorates Elections NZ.

In the event of another party winning the race, the overall number of MPs would remain unchanged.

Regardless of the outcome, the total number of MPs in Parliament will remain at 123 due to the overhang.