Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

With fewer than 100 days until New Zealanders head to the polls, Green Party Communities and Social Development spokesperson Teanau Tuiono says the election presents a choice about the kind of country Aotearoa wants to become, calling for greater transparency, stronger social protections and a more inclusive society.

Speaking to Radio Waatea, Tuiono outlined the Greens’ priorities for communities, social development and workers’ rights, while also responding to recent political controversies surrounding race, immigration and workplace reform.

The comments come as the election campaign becomes increasingly focused on issues of equity, cost of living, employment protections and social cohesion.

Tuiono also weighed in on one of the week’s biggest political flashpoints after Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan to “go back to your own country” during a heated parliamentary exchange.

The remarks prompted a formal diplomatic protest from the Chinese Embassy and widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum.

Tuiono described the comments as unacceptable and said political debate should never descend into questioning a person’s right to belong in New Zealand because of their ethnicity or background.

He said Aotearoa is strengthened by its diversity and that every New Zealander deserves to participate in democracy free from racism and discrimination.

The controversy has reignited debate about race, immigration and political discourse as parties seek to define their values ahead of the election.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon subsequently publicly rebuked Winston Peters over the remarks, exposing tensions within the governing coalition as campaigning intensifies.

Employment law has also become a major point of difference between the Government and the Opposition following Parliament’s passage of the new Employment Leave Act.

The Government says the legislation modernises an outdated Holidays Act and creates a simpler, fairer system for both employers and employees.

The Greens disagree.

Tuiono said the reforms risk weakening employment protections, particularly for workers in insecure, casual and part-time employment, who already experience greater financial uncertainty.

He argued that employment rights are fundamental to reducing inequality and ensuring people have dignity and security in the workplace.

The Greens have joined unions in expressing concern that changes to leave calculations could leave some workers financially worse off despite Government assurances that the reforms improve clarity and consistency.

As Communities and Social Development spokesperson, Tuiono said investment in communities should extend beyond traditional welfare settings and include housing, youth development, disability support, community organisations and stronger local services.

He said resilient communities are built through long-term investment rather than short-term political cycles, arguing that prevention and early intervention ultimately produce better outcomes than crisis responses.

The Greens continue to advocate for expanded public housing, action on child poverty, improved mental health services and greater investment in community-led initiatives.

Tuiono said many of New Zealand’s most pressing social challenges disproportionately affect Māori and Pasifika communities, making equity a central consideration in policy development.

Looking ahead to the election, Tuiono said voters are increasingly seeking honesty, transparency and leadership focused on improving people’s daily lives rather than political point-scoring.

He said the Greens’ vision centres on reducing inequality, strengthening democratic participation and ensuring economic prosperity is shared more fairly across society.

With workplace rights, race relations, housing affordability, healthcare and the cost of living all expected to dominate the campaign, Tuiono believes New Zealanders face a significant choice about the country’s future direction.

As the countdown to polling day continues, the contest over fairness, inclusion and economic opportunity is shaping up to become one of the defining themes of the 2026 General Election.

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#TeanauTuiono #GreenParty #Election2026 #NZPolitics #Communities #SocialDevelopment #WorkersRights #EmploymentLeaveAct #HolidaysAct #LawrenceXuNan #WinstonPeters #ChristopherLuxon #Inclusion #Equity #Māori #Pasifika #Housing #ChildPoverty #Democracy #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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A new initiative designed to nurture the next generation of Māori filmmakers is set to strengthen indigenous storytelling on screen, with the launch of the Aho Shorts Development Lab, a wānanga-based programme supporting emerging Māori creatives to develop original short film projects.

Delivered through a partnership between Ngā Aho Whakaari and Caravan Carpark Films, the programme aims to provide aspiring Māori writers, directors and screen storytellers with the skills, mentorship and industry connections needed to transform ideas into compelling short films.

The initiative comes as Māori storytelling continues to enjoy growing recognition both nationally and internationally, with indigenous voices increasingly shaping New Zealand’s screen industry through film, television and digital media.

The Aho Shorts Development Lab has been designed as more than a traditional training programme.

Built around the concept of wānanga, participants will work collaboratively alongside experienced filmmakers, producers and industry mentors to refine their creative ideas while strengthening cultural approaches to storytelling.

The programme focuses on developing short film projects from concept through to production readiness, giving participants practical experience in script development, pitching, collaboration and project planning.

Organisers say the initiative recognises that Māori stories are strongest when they are developed within kaupapa Māori environments that value whakapapa, tikanga and collective learning.

Ngā Aho Whakaari has long advocated for greater Māori participation across every part of New Zealand’s screen industry, from writing and directing through to producing, editing and technical production.

The organisation says increasing Māori representation behind the camera is essential to ensuring authentic Māori stories continue to reach audiences in Aotearoa and around the world.

Short films have traditionally served as an important pathway into the wider film industry, allowing emerging creatives to build portfolios, develop professional networks and showcase their storytelling ability before progressing into feature films, documentaries or television productions.

The Aho Shorts Development Lab is intended to strengthen that pathway by providing structured support at an early stage of filmmakers’ careers.

The programme arrives during a period of significant growth for indigenous storytelling.

Māori filmmakers have achieved increasing success at international film festivals and on global streaming platforms, with audiences showing growing demand for stories grounded in te ao Māori, whakapapa and indigenous perspectives.

Productions exploring Māori history, language, identity and contemporary life have become an increasingly important part of New Zealand’s creative sector, contributing both culturally and economically.

Industry leaders say supporting emerging talent is essential to maintaining that momentum and ensuring the next generation of storytellers has opportunities to develop sustainable careers.

Beyond individual career development, organisers believe programmes like the Aho Shorts Development Lab contribute to the long-term strength of New Zealand’s screen sector.

By investing in Māori storytellers early, the initiative aims to increase diversity across the industry while encouraging stories that reflect the experiences, aspirations and realities of Māori communities.

The programme also supports wider efforts to build Māori capability across creative industries, creating opportunities for rangatahi and emerging practitioners to learn directly from established professionals.

As New Zealand’s film and television industry continues to evolve, initiatives such as the Aho Shorts Development Lab demonstrate a growing commitment to ensuring Māori voices remain central to the country’s creative future.

For participants, the programme offers more than technical training—it provides an opportunity to develop stories grounded in culture, language and identity while building lasting relationships within the screen industry.

With Māori storytelling continuing to resonate with audiences both at home and overseas, organisers hope the Aho Shorts Development Lab will help launch a new generation of filmmakers whose stories reflect the richness and diversity of te ao Māori.

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#AhoShorts #NgāAhoWhakaari #CaravanCarparkFilms #MāoriFilm #MāoriStorytelling #TeAoMāori #FilmIndustry #ScreenNZ #IndigenousStorytelling #ShortFilm #CreativeArts #Wānanga #Rangatahi #MāoriCreatives #Filmmaking #Arts #Culture #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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With fewer than 100 days until New Zealanders head to the polls on 7 November, Te Pāti Māori says the 2026 General Election is shaping up to be a defining moment for Māori political representation, Treaty rights and the future direction of Aotearoa.

Speaking to Radio Waatea, Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi said the party is entering the campaign determined to challenge the National-led coalition and strengthen Māori political influence in Parliament.

The comments follow the party’s unveiling of its election strategy, which focuses on defending Te Tiriti o Waitangi, expanding Māori representation and mobilising voters across the Māori electorates.

Waititi said Te Pāti Māori’s campaign is centred on defeating what the party describes as a Government that has consistently rolled back Māori rights and institutions.

Since taking office, the coalition has introduced or advanced a series of reforms affecting Māori, including changes to public sector structures, resource management, local government, employment law and the wider constitutional debate surrounding Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Te Pāti Māori argues those changes represent a sustained effort to reduce Māori participation in decision-making and weaken policies designed to improve equity.

The party says the election offers voters an opportunity to reverse that direction.

Waititi said Te Pāti Māori’s platform is focused on the issues Māori communities consistently identify as priorities.

These include improving Māori health outcomes, increasing access to affordable housing, strengthening climate resilience, growing the Māori economy and protecting tino rangatiratanga.

The party has also committed to expanding investment in kaupapa Māori services and supporting greater Māori authority over decisions affecting whenua, wai and whānau.

Waititi said Māori solutions remain the most effective way to address many of the longstanding inequities experienced by Māori communities.

Speaking publicly during the week, Waititi dismissed suggestions that Te Pāti Māori’s political influence is diminishing, arguing the movement continues to grow both inside and outside Parliament.

He said the party intends to defend every Māori electorate it currently holds while expanding its support nationwide.

The co-leader also pointed to increasing engagement from younger Māori voters, whom the party sees as central to shaping the country’s future political landscape.

Te Pāti Māori believes issues such as housing affordability, environmental protection, education, employment opportunities and constitutional recognition continue to resonate strongly with rangatahi.

As political parties intensify campaigning, Māori issues are becoming increasingly prominent.

Healthcare, housing affordability, employment rights, climate adaptation and the cost of living are expected to dominate debate over the coming months.

For Te Pāti Māori, those issues are viewed through the lens of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori self-determination.

The party argues that Māori communities should not simply be consulted but should play a leading role in designing and delivering solutions affecting their own people.

The 2026 General Election is increasingly presenting voters with contrasting visions for the country’s future.

The Government continues to campaign on economic growth, regulatory reform and public sector efficiency.

Labour has focused on rebuilding public services and addressing cost-of-living pressures.

The Greens are campaigning on social equity, climate action and stronger community investment.

Te Pāti Māori, meanwhile, says its priority is ensuring Māori rights, aspirations and leadership remain at the centre of national decision-making.

With election day now less than 100 days away, campaigning is expected to intensify across all seven Māori electorates and throughout the country.

Political parties are increasingly targeting the issues voters identify as most important, including healthcare, housing, economic opportunity, climate resilience and public services.

For Te Pāti Māori, the coming months represent more than an election campaign.

The party says it is a contest over the future relationship between Māori and the Crown, the place of Te Tiriti within New Zealand’s constitutional framework and the ability of Māori communities to determine their own future.

As the campaign gathers momentum, those debates are expected to remain central to political discussion through to polling day on 7 November.

#Tags

#TePātiMāori #RawiriWaititi #Election2026 #GeneralElection #TinoRangatiratanga #TeTiriti #MāoriPolitics #MāoriHealth #Housing #ClimateResilience #MāoriEconomy #Whānau #Rangatahi #Aotearoa #NZPolitics #MāoriElectorates #PoliticalNews #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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Hundreds of frontline support workers employed by Nurse Maude are taking industrial action today, with the Public Service Association (PSA) saying the dispute centres on proposed reductions to sick leave entitlements and the failure to present a pay offer during collective bargaining.

The union says approximately 250 support workers across Canterbury will stop work as negotiations with the healthcare provider reach an impasse, raising fresh concerns about the treatment of workers delivering essential care to older people and those living with disabilities in their own homes.

The industrial action comes at a time when employment rights have become a major political issue, following the passage of the Government’s new Employment Leave Act and wider debate over workplace protections during the election campaign.

According to the PSA, Nurse Maude is seeking to reduce sick leave entitlements as part of negotiations for a new collective agreement while, at the same time, workers have yet to receive a formal pay offer.

The union says support workers continued providing essential services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and remain the backbone of community-based healthcare, assisting vulnerable New Zealanders with personal care, household support and maintaining independence in their own homes.

PSA National Sector Lead for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi, Chris Ollington, says members have reached the point where industrial action has become necessary after negotiations failed to deliver progress on the issues workers consider most important.

The union argues reducing sick leave sends the wrong message to healthcare workers who regularly care for vulnerable people. It says encouraging workers to remain at home when they are unwell protects both staff and the people they support, making adequate sick leave an essential workplace protection rather than simply an employment benefit.

The PSA also says the absence of a pay offer has further frustrated members amid continuing cost-of-living pressures, with workers seeking recognition for the increasingly complex and demanding nature of community-based care.

Home and community support workers play a critical role within New Zealand’s health system, providing services that help reduce pressure on hospitals and aged residential care by enabling people to remain safely in their own homes for longer.

The dispute also highlights broader workforce challenges facing the health sector, including recruitment, retention and growing demand driven by an ageing population.

Industrial action in the home support sector can have significant impacts on service delivery, although essential care arrangements are typically maintained to ensure vulnerable clients continue receiving critical support during strike action.

The latest dispute follows increasing tension across the wider employment landscape, with unions mounting campaigns over workplace rights, collective bargaining and employment conditions. The PSA has been at the forefront of several recent industrial and political campaigns, arguing that secure employment conditions are fundamental to maintaining quality public and community services.

Negotiations between the PSA and Nurse Maude are expected to continue, with the union expressing hope that meaningful progress can still be made towards a settlement that protects existing leave entitlements while recognising the value of the workforce through an appropriate pay offer.

The outcome of the dispute is likely to be closely watched across the health and aged care sector, where many employers are facing similar workforce shortages, rising costs and increasing demand for services.

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New Zealand’s new Employment Leave Act has become one of the defining workplace issues of the election campaign, with unions warning the legislation will leave many workers worse off while the Government insists it finally fixes one of the country’s most complicated employment laws.

The legislation replaces the Holidays Act 2003 with a new framework that calculates leave using hours rather than weeks and days. The Government argues the overhaul will provide greater certainty for employers and employees after years of payroll errors and legal disputes, while unions say the reforms fundamentally weaken leave entitlements for many workers with irregular hours.

The Employment Leave Act introduces a new system where annual leave, sick leave and other leave entitlements accrue based on hours worked. It also creates new categories of working hours, including standard, additional and casual hours, which determine how leave is earned and paid. Supporters argue the new model is easier to administer and reflects modern workplaces where flexible and part-time work has become increasingly common.

The Government says the changes will reduce compliance costs for businesses, eliminate many of the payroll problems that have plagued employers for more than two decades and create a more transparent system for employees. A two-year transition period has been built into the legislation to allow payroll providers and businesses to update their systems before the new law takes full effect.

However, unions have mounted a fierce campaign against the reforms.

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (CTU) says the legislation risks reducing leave payments for hundreds of thousands of workers, particularly those in part-time, casual, seasonal and shift-based employment. Union leaders argue the changes prioritise administrative simplicity over workers’ rights and represent another step in what they describe as a broader rollback of employment protections.

The dispute intensified after Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters criticised unions for campaigning against the Government rather than engaging directly with New Zealand First during the legislative process. The CTU responded forcefully, rejecting suggestions it should apologise for opposing the legislation and maintaining that standing up for workers is central to its role. The union says challenging Government policy is a legitimate part of democratic advocacy, particularly when employment rights are at stake.

The political tensions have since spread into the governing coalition itself.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon publicly rebuked Winston Peters after remarks directed at Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan created fresh political controversy, highlighting differing approaches within the coalition as the election campaign gathers pace. While unrelated to the detail of the Employment Leave Act itself, the exchange has reinforced perceptions of growing friction between coalition partners as workplace reform becomes an increasingly prominent election issue.

Labour has seized on the debate, accusing the Government of breaking promises to working New Zealanders and arguing the legislation will leave many employees financially worse off. The Opposition says the reforms shift the balance further towards employers at a time when many households are already facing ongoing cost-of-living pressures.

Business groups, meanwhile, have broadly welcomed the legislation, arguing the Holidays Act had become unworkable after years of complex calculations, inconsistent interpretations and significant payroll liabilities that cost employers millions of dollars in remediation.

The Employment Leave Act now sets the stage for a wider political contest over the future of workplace rights, collective bargaining and employment protections. With unions making the legislation a major election issue and coalition leaders defending it as overdue reform, workers’ rights are likely to remain firmly at the centre of the national political debate through to polling day.

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E mōhio ana tātou mā roto i ngā whakaharatau katoa me ngā noho marae, ka rongo ō tātou tinana i ngā hua o te kapa haka. Engari, E tika ana rānei te kai e whāngai ana i ō tātou tinana mō ngā mahi taumaha e mahia ana e tātou?

Koirā tētahi o ngā pātai e hiahia ana a Joe Pihema, Pou Tikanga o Pūtahi Manawa, kia kitea ai ngā whakautu i te rangahau e tiro ana ki te hononga o te kapa haka me te hauora o te manawa mō te Māori.

Ko te whāinga o tēnei rangahau he whakapūmau i ngā taunakitanga mō tētahi mea kua roa nei e mōhiotia ana e te tokomaha, arā, he whai hua te kapa haka ki tō tātou hauora.

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Hei tua atu i te pikinga o ngā utu mō te hākinakina, ko te whai kaitūao hei whakangungu i ā tātou tamariki tētahi o ngā tino wero e pāngia nei ngā karapu hākinakina puta noa i te motu.

E ai ki te māngai o Poitūkohu Aotearoa, a Marsella Hippolite, he nui ngā whānau e hiahia ana kia uru ā rātou tamariki ki te hākinakina, engari kāore ētahi e whakapono ana kei a rātou ngā mātauranga, te māia, te wā rānei kia tū hei kaiako.

Hei tāna anō, i ētahi wā ka taupatupatu ngā whakataetae ki ētahi atu momo hākinakina, ā, ka kumea ngā whānau ki wāhi kē, mā reira ka uaua ake te whai tautoko pūmau mō ngā tīma.

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Nearly 900 Māori governors, trustees, directors, executives and emerging leaders have gathered for the Amorangi: Māori in Governance Summit, highlighting the growing influence of Māori leadership across Aotearoa’s economic, social and public sectors.

The summit brings together leaders from iwi, hapū, Māori organisations, business, government agencies and community organisations to explore how tikanga Māori can continue to strengthen governance, leadership and decision-making in an increasingly complex world.

Hosted by Tapuwae Roa, the biennial summit has become one of the country’s premier gatherings for Māori governance, providing a platform to share knowledge, build leadership capability and discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Māori organisations.

Kaihautū Te Pūoho Kātene says the summit reflects the increasing importance of Māori leadership as iwi and Māori entities continue to grow their influence across New Zealand’s economy and society. With Māori collectively managing billions of dollars in assets and playing a growing role in sectors including primary industries, health, housing, education and investment, effective governance has never been more important.

Central to the summit is the role of tikanga Māori in governance. Rather than viewing governance solely through a corporate lens, the kaupapa encourages leaders to balance commercial success with cultural values, intergenerational thinking, collective wellbeing and environmental stewardship.

Sessions throughout the summit explore how Māori governance models can strengthen decision-making by embedding principles such as manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga, whanaungatanga and rangatiratanga into boardrooms and organisational leadership.

The gathering also comes at a significant time for Māori leadership. Across the country, iwi and Māori organisations continue to expand their economic footprint while navigating major policy debates around Te Tiriti o Waitangi, constitutional reform, resource management, housing, health equity and economic development.

Many organisations are also focusing on succession planning, recognising the need to prepare the next generation of governors and directors as Māori institutions continue to grow in scale and complexity.

The summit places a strong emphasis on developing emerging leaders alongside experienced governors, creating opportunities for mentoring, collaboration and the transfer of knowledge between generations.

With Māori organisations increasingly involved in major infrastructure projects, environmental restoration, commercial investment and social service delivery, governance capability is seen as critical to achieving long-term outcomes for whānau, hapū and iwi.

The Amorangi Summit also reinforces the importance of Māori voices in national leadership conversations, recognising that Māori governance is contributing not only to Māori development but also to broader discussions about sustainable leadership, innovation and the future direction of Aotearoa.

As the summit continues, delegates will explore how tikanga-led governance can strengthen organisations, build resilient communities and ensure future generations inherit institutions that are both culturally grounded and economically successful.

#Amorangi #MāoriGovernance #Tikanga #Leadership #Governance #TePūohoKātene #TapuwaeRoa #ManaMotuhake #Whānau #Hapū #Iwi #MāoriEconomy #BoardLeadership #TeAoMāori #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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Labour’s spokesperson for Children and Te Tai Tokerau candidate, Hon Willow-Jean Prime, is intensifying her criticism of the Government’s approach to youth justice and child wellbeing, arguing that rising child poverty, youth unemployment and the erosion of Māori partnerships are creating the very conditions that place more young people at risk.

Prime has consistently opposed the Government’s proposed military-style academy and boot camp model for serious youth offenders, saying evidence from both New Zealand and overseas shows punitive approaches have failed to deliver lasting reductions in reoffending. She argues that lasting change comes through early intervention, stable whānau support, education, mental health services and culturally responsive programmes that address the root causes of offending.

Her criticism comes as a series of recent reports paint a concerning picture for Māori children and rangatahi.

The latest child poverty data shows one in four Māori children are living in material hardship, highlighting persistent inequities in housing, income, food security and access to essential services. Māori advocacy groups say the figures reinforce the need for targeted investment in whānau rather than policies focused primarily on punishment.

At the same time, youth unemployment continues to climb, with some of the country’s poorest communities experiencing the greatest impact. Young Māori remain disproportionately affected by a weakening labour market, raising concerns that fewer education and employment opportunities are increasing the risk of long-term disadvantage.

Prime has also linked the Government’s wider policy direction towards Māori with its approach to child wellbeing. She has been critical of reforms that reduce formal partnerships between the Crown and iwi, including the decision to remove Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements from replacement resource management legislation. Critics argue these changes weaken Māori participation in decisions that affect communities, while supporters within Government say the reforms are designed to simplify planning processes and improve consistency.

The debate extends beyond environmental policy. Māori organisations and legal experts have increasingly questioned whether a number of recent Government decisions represent a broader retreat from Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and Māori participation in public decision-making. Those concerns have fuelled growing political tension ahead of the 2026 General Election.

The Government maintains that its Oranga Tamariki reforms are necessary to restore public confidence in the youth justice system and better protect communities from repeat offending. Ministers argue that a stronger focus on accountability, discipline and intensive rehabilitation is needed for a small group of persistent youth offenders who have not responded to existing interventions.

Prime rejects the view that tougher sanctions alone will improve outcomes. Instead, she says reducing youth offending requires sustained investment before young people enter the justice system, with stronger support for whānau, education providers, iwi organisations and community-based services.

For Te Tai Tokerau, where many communities continue to experience higher levels of deprivation than the national average, the debate carries particular significance. Issues such as employment, housing, education and access to health services remain closely connected to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi.

As the election campaign gathers pace, the future of Oranga Tamariki, youth justice and child poverty is emerging as one of the defining policy battlegrounds between Labour and the coalition Government, with both sides offering sharply different visions for improving outcomes for New Zealand’s most vulnerable children.

#WillowJeanPrime #OrangaTamariki #YouthJustice #ChildPoverty #YouthUnemployment #TeTaiTokerau #Māori #Whānau #Rangatahi #Labour #BootCamps #MilitaryAcademy #TeTiriti #ManaWhakahonoARohe #Election2026 #NZPolitics #TeAoMāori #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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The Electoral Commission is urging Māori voters to act before 6 August, the deadline to switch between the Māori and General electoral rolls ahead of the 2026 General Election.

The reminder comes as the Commission intensifies efforts to ensure Māori voters understand their enrolment options before the statutory cut-off. Once the deadline passes, voters will remain on their chosen roll until after the election.

Chief Advisor Māori, Hone Matthews, says the decision is an important one, as it determines not only where Māori vote, but also helps shape the future of Māori representation in Parliament.

Māori who whakapapa Māori have the unique right to choose whether they enrol on the Māori roll or the General roll. Both rolls carry equal voting power, but the choice determines which electorate a voter casts their electorate vote in. Those on the Māori roll vote in one of the seven Māori electorates, while those on the General roll vote in a geographically based general electorate.

The Electoral Commission is encouraging people not to leave the decision until the last minute, particularly younger voters and those enrolling for the first time.

Interest in the Māori roll has continued to grow in recent years. More than half of all enrolled Māori voters are now registered on the Māori electoral roll, reflecting a significant shift in voting preferences and increased engagement with Māori representation.

The size of the Māori roll also has a direct impact on the number and boundaries of Māori electorates through the Māori Electoral Population calculation undertaken after each Census. While the number of Māori seats is not determined before every election, enrolment trends continue to influence future representation in Parliament.

The enrolment campaign comes at a time when issues affecting Māori communities are expected to dominate the 2026 election, including Te Tiriti o Waitangi, housing, health, education, employment, justice and constitutional reform.

The Electoral Commission says switching rolls is straightforward and can be completed online, over the phone or by updating enrolment details through official election channels.

With campaigning gathering pace across Aotearoa, Matthews is encouraging all eligible Māori voters to check their enrolment details, ensure their information is up to date and make their roll choice before 6 August.

The Commission says participating in the democratic process remains one of the most important ways Māori can influence decisions affecting whānau, hapū, iwi and future generations.

#Election2026 #MāoriRoll #GeneralRoll #ElectoralCommission #HoneMatthews #MāoriElectorates #TeTiriti #Democracy #Vote2026 #MāoriRepresentation #Whānau #Rangatahi #TeAoMāori #Aotearoa #Politics #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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