**Henare** to Battle **Kaipara** in Tฤmaki Makaurau By-Election
A contest between Labour’s **Peeni Henare** and Te Pฤti Mฤori’s **Oriini Kaipara** is now certain for the Tฤmaki 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 Tฤmaki 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 โreal solutionsโ
for the community.
According to **Henare**, โEverywhere 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.โ
He emphasized his deep connection to the area: โTฤmaki Makaurau is where I was born and is my home. I know the challenges that many whฤnau 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 โdeep understanding of the issues that matterโ
and the โtrack record to deliver real solutions.โ
He added that **Henare** can โdeliver real solutions for working families, rangatahi, kaumฤtua and our most vulnerable whฤnau.โ
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 Pฤti Mฤori. However, Vision NZ leader **Hannah Tamaki** has announced her intention to stand as well.
Te Pฤti Mฤori’s Candidate
**Oriini Kaipara**, a former news presenter, was recently announced as Te Pฤti Mฤori’s candidate. She has promised to be a strong voice for Mฤori.
**Kaipara** stated, โMฤori are being attacked left, right and centre for purely existing. Itโs vile and itโs not good enough,โ
after her official selection. She added, โMy role now is to move from covering the story to changing it.”
**Kaipara** wants the seat to โremain strong, grounded in te ao Mฤori, and guided by the voices of our people, united, determined, and unapologetically Mฤori.”
Potential Outcomes
If Te Pฤti Mฤori 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).
