Te Pāti Māori has had one of the most turbulent political terms in recent memory.
But as 2025 closes, the party says it is still standing — and that alone may be its biggest strength heading into the 2026 general election.

After months of internal conflict, public scrutiny, court action and grief, Te Pāti Māori’s co-leaders say the movement is bruised, but not broken. And they are confident the party will play a decisive role in forming the next government.

Their message is blunt: there is no left bloc without Te Pāti Māori.

A Rollercoaster Few Years

At the end of 2024, Te Pāti Māori was riding high.

The party had grown from two to six electorate MPs.
It stunned Labour by winning the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election in a landslide.
A nationwide hīkoi to Parliament drew tens of thousands.
And a haka led by MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke went viral around the world.

Then came 2025.

The sudden death of Tāmaki Makaurau MP Takutai Tash Kemp devastated the party. Kemp had been battling kidney disease while continuing to serve her electorate.

Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer called the loss “the most devastating thing” the party had faced.

“She fought to be here. She fought to stay. And then we lost her,” she said.

Rawiri Waititi said Kemp’s death was a reminder of the heavy cost Māori leaders often carry.

“Society expects Māori to work harder,” he said.
“And too often, families pay the price.”

The Cost of Māori Leadership

Both leaders spoke openly about the emotional toll of leadership in te ao Māori.

Ngarewa-Packer said Māori leaders are expected to keep working through grief, pain and exhaustion — without stepping away.

“You don’t get to disappear. You don’t get a break,” she said.
“You’re expected to turn up — everywhere.”

Waititi echoed the sentiment, saying Parliament is only one battleground.

“Fighting for your people matters. But fighting to be with your whānau matters too.”

It is a reality many Māori voters recognise — and one that continues to shape Te Pāti Māori’s appeal.

Winning Tāmaki Makaurau — And Proving a Point

Despite the turmoil, Te Pāti Māori’s victory in the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election was emphatic.

Ngarewa-Packer said the leadership made the electorate a top priority, showing voters they were not just electing a candidate, but the full backing of the party.

Waititi said the win confirmed something many already suspected: Labour no longer owns the Māori seats.

“Our people could see themselves in this movement,” he said.
“For the first time, they saw Te Pāti Māori as a real power.”

Leadership Turmoil Goes Public

That momentum was tested by months of internal conflict.

Allegations involving party governance, spending and leadership spilled into the public arena. MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris were expelled, then partially reinstated following court action.

The fallout divided electorates and deeply hurt supporters.

Ngarewa-Packer said she was blindsided by how quickly the situation escalated.

“It spiralled out of control,” she said.
“And once it went public, that was the breaking point.”

Waititi maintained the disputes should have stayed internal.

“We didn’t take this to social media. We didn’t take it to court,” he said.
“That should have been handled in house.”

Four of the party’s six electorates ultimately voted to expel the MPs involved. The decision, the leaders say, reflected grassroots authority — not top-down control.

“The mana sits with the people,” Waititi said.

Kapa-Kingi Pushes Back

Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, now temporarily reinstated pending a High Court hearing in 2026, rejects the idea the fallout was about personality.

She says it was about systemic failure and a lack of tikanga.

“The party is unrecognisable right now,” she said.
“But it can be rebuilt.”

Kapa-Kingi has dismissed claims around spending disputes, including leaked messages cited by party leadership, and says she stands by all her decisions.

She believes the court process will bring clarity.

Heading Into 2026

Despite everything, Te Pāti Māori’s leaders are adamant they are still essential.

Ngarewa-Packer said stability at the top is critical as the party rebuilds.

“We are not here to win popularity contests,” she said.
“We are here to advance a movement.”

Waititi was more direct.

“Labour will not govern without us,” he said.
“The Greens will not govern without us.”

Asked about Labour leader Chris Hipkins’ recent criticism of Te Pāti Māori, Ngarewa-Packer called it “poor politics”.

“Trying to lift yourself by kicking us while we’re down is naïve,” she said.

An Early Christmas Present — Survival

In political terms, Te Pāti Māori may have been handed an early Christmas present — not through praise, polling or peace — but by survival.

The party is still present. Still relevant. Still required.

But the lesson from 2025 is clear.

Strong Māori leadership matters.
But so does discipline.
Discretion.
And unity.

Public fights feed distraction. Algorithms reward conflict. And AI-driven outrage amplifies every crack.

If Te Pāti Māori can rebuild quietly, reconnect digitally, and lead boldly without public brutality — the party may yet turn survival into strength.

Kia kaha, Te Whare Tapa Whā.
The rebuild has begun.