**Henare** to Battle **Kaipara** in Tāmaki Makaurau By-Election
A contest between Labour’s **Peeni Henare** and Te Pāti Māori’s **Oriini Kaipara** is now certain for the Tāmaki Makaurau seat. The by-election was triggered by the recent death of **Takutai Tarsh Kemp**.
Labour’s Candidate Announced
**Peeni Henare**, a list MP, previously held the Tāmaki Makaurau seat from 2014 until the most recent general election. He aims to regain the seat and has pledged to address key issues. His campaign will focus on “real solutions”
for the community.
According to **Henare**, “Everywhere I go, communities are saying loud and clear, that jobs, access to quality and affordable health services, affordable housing and relief from the rising cost of living must be a top priority.”
He emphasized his deep connection to the area: “Tāmaki Makaurau is where I was born and is my home. I know the challenges that many whānau are facing… My focus is clear. To fight for real solutions so our people can flourish.”
**Hipkins** Endorses **Henare**
Labour leader **Chris Hipkins** voiced strong support for **Henare**, emphasizing his experience and understanding of local issues. **Hipkins** stated that **Henare** has a “deep understanding of the issues that matter”
and the “track record to deliver real solutions.”
He added that **Henare** can “deliver real solutions for working families, rangatahi, kaumātua and our most vulnerable whānau.”
Other Parties Step Aside
Several major parties, including National, the Greens, ACT, and New Zealand First, have opted not to field candidates in the upcoming by-election. This decision effectively narrows the race to Labour and Te Pāti Māori. However, Vision NZ leader **Hannah Tamaki** has announced her intention to stand as well.
Te Pāti Māori’s Candidate
**Oriini Kaipara**, a former news presenter, was recently announced as Te Pāti Māori’s candidate. She has promised to be a strong voice for Māori.
**Kaipara** stated, “Māori are being attacked left, right and centre for purely existing. It’s vile and it’s not good enough,”
after her official selection. She added, “My role now is to move from covering the story to changing it.”
**Kaipara** wants the seat to “remain strong, grounded in te ao Māori, and guided by the voices of our people, united, determined, and unapologetically Māori.”
Potential Outcomes
If Te Pāti Māori wins, their total number of MPs remains at six. Should **Henare** win, Labour would gain a seat, allowing **Georgie Dansey** to enter Parliament, increasing their representation from 34 to 35 seats. Regardless of the outcome, the total number of MPs will remain at 123 due to an existing seat overhang.
Notably, voter turnout in by-elections tends to be lower than in general elections; for example, the 2023 Port Waikato by-election saw a turnout of just 56.77% compared to the 82.5% turnout nationwide in the general election (Elections NZ).
