NZ Election 2023

Te Tai Tonga electorate

Te Tai Tonga is a Māori electorate currently held by Labour's Rino Tirikatene, who won comfortably with a margin of 6,855. In 2020, Labour won the greatest share of party votes in Te Tai Tonga – 59% to Green's 12%. Te Tai Tonga is the biggest electorate in the country and includes all of Te Waipounamu, Rakiura, and Rēkohu/Wharekauri.

Te Tai Tonga candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Rino Tirikatene

Labour Party

Tākuta Ferris

Te Pāti Māori

Rebecca Robin

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

Geoffrey Karena Fuimaono Puhi

Independent

Rino Tirikatene

Labour Party

MP for Te Tai Tonga

Why I'm standing

What Te Tai Tonga needs most is a strong voice of action in parliament. I know that I am that voice. As a descendant of Ngāi Tahu, I have a deep understanding of the intricacies and needs of Maōri. I will act as the waka that sails forward, always advocating to progress the aspirations of our people but more importantly to deliver on better outcomes for them.

About me

I am an experienced New Zealand politician and member of the House of Representatives, who has proudly represented Māori in Te Tai Tonga, the largest electorate in New Zealand, since the 2011 election. I am the Minister of State for Trade and Export Growth and Minister for Courts and I continue the mahi of my whānau who has served Te Tai Tonga (Southern Māori) for three generations (73 years) as Labour MPs and Ministers.

My priorities

  1. Māori businesses. To grow the Māori export sector and industries to expand our international trade.
  2. Advance equity. I'm committed to te Tiriti o Waitangi and for equitable outcomes for Māori.
  3. Keep rangatahi on a path that will let them live up to their boundless potential and to succeed.

Get across the policies, candidates and parties

Don’t know who to vote for? Policy.nz is the complete guide to the 2023 general election. Compare the parties, candidates and policies to see where you stand.

Policies

Compare the parties’ positions on the key issues this election

Candidates

See the electorate candidates running in your local area

Parties

Learn about each political party, its leaders and candidate list

Things to know...

Your two votes shape New Zealand’s next parliament. You need to be enrolled to vote.

Read explainer

  • Enrol to vote by Sunday 25 October

    You need to be enrolled before you can vote. You can enrol online at vote.nz.

  • Voting day is Saturday 7 November

    Head to your nearest voting place on the day, or vote early from 26 October.

  • You get two votes

    One for a party (the party vote) and one for a person in your area (the electorate vote).

  • Your party vote is the most powerful

    It decides how many seats each party gets in Parliament. That’s what Policy helps you figure out.