Te Pāti Māori announces one-person party list for 2026 election

Te Pāti Māori has announced a single person for its party list for the 2026 general election. Lance Norman, the party's general secretary, was selected unanimously as the sole list candidate. This selection is in addition to the party's seven electorate candidates.

The party stated the move reaffirms its candidate-vote strategy. Co-leader Rawiri Waititi said, "This list proves we are putting our money where our mouth is". Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer added that the list reflects a commitment to making the election bigger than any single party.

The strategy involves asking supporters to cast candidate votes for Te Pāti Māori and party votes for either the Green or Labour parties. In August, the party urged supporters to give their party vote to the left bloc. Rawiri Waititi previously suggested this approach could result in up to 13 Māori MPs entering Parliament.

This strategy could create an overhang, resulting in more seats in Parliament than a party's vote would typically allow. Earlier this year, Labour Māori campaign chair Willie Jackson criticised the method, suggesting it could lead to a backlash and the abolition of Māori seats.

Compiled from reports by NZ Herald and 1News.