NZ Election 2026

Ikaroa-Rāwhiti electorate

Ikaroa-Rāwhiti is a Māori electorate currently held by Te Pāti Māori's Meka Whaitiri, who won comfortably with a margin of 6,045 as a candidate for the Labour Party. In 2020, Labour won the greatest share of party votes in Ikaroa-Rāwhiti – 66% to Te Pāti Māori's 12%. The electorate was held by Parekura Horomia from 1999 until his death in 2013, which triggered a by-election won by Whaitiri.

Ikaroa-Rāwhiti candidates

Explore the candidates in your area

Cushla Tangaere-Manuel

Labour Party

Haley Maxwell

Te Pāti Māori

Heather Te Au-Skipworth

Green Party

Cushla Tangaere-Manuel

Labour Party

Why I'm standing

I want to ensure Ikaroa-Rawhiti retains a strong voice as we navigate the key issues impacting our whanau: the cost of living, jobs, health, homes, education and the role of Te Tiriti across these kaupapa. I want to be part of building a more affordable Aotearoa. Kia eke inainei - better starts now!

About me

As the sitting MP I've spent the past three years moving amongst the communities in the electorate and bringing their voices to Parliament. I've learnt the political systems and am now prepared to represent the people of Ikaroa-Rawhiti in Government.

My priorities

  1. Labour will cut whānau costs with Solar Saver, tackling one of the biggest bills: energy.
  2. Labour will improve access to healthcare with free GP visits, screenings and prescriptions.
  3. Labour backs Kiwis into jobs, with Future Fund, small business support and trades training.

Get across the policies, candidates and parties

Don’t know who to vote for? Policy.nz is the complete guide to the 2026 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.