Tākuta Ferris open to coalition with National, Act and NZ First
Wednesday 30 September 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Labour Party, National Party, ACT Party, NZ First, Te Pāti Māori, Green Party
Independent MP Tākuta Ferris stated he is open to joining a coalition with National, Act, and New Zealand First. He noted he would consider this if it ensures his Te Tai Tonga electorate has a voice. The comments were made during a Māori seat debate featuring four candidates.
Key facts
4 facts
- Te Tai Tonga candidates: Mananui Ramsden, Lisa Marie Murch, Lisa Te Morenga, and Tākuta Ferris
- Curia poll results: Ramsden 30%, Murch 17%, Te Morenga 16%, Ferris 15%
- Poll margin of error: +/- 4.5%
- Debate location: Victoria University’s Te Herenga Waka marae in Wellington
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
Independent MP Tākuta Ferris said he is open to joining a coalition with National, Act, and New Zealand First if it ensures the Te Tai Tonga electorate has a voice. Ferris made these comments during a Whakaata Māori debate in Wellington involving the four Te Tai Tonga candidates.
The debate followed a Whakaata Māori-Curia poll of 500 Māori voters which placed Labour candidate Mananui Ramsden as the frontrunner with 30%. Te Pāti Māori candidate Lisa Marie Murch received 17%, Green candidate Dr Lisa Te Morenga received 16%, and Ferris received 15%.
Candidates questioned the poll's reliability, with Ferris noting that methodology can be challenged. Dr Te Morenga cited the 2023 campaign where Labour's Rino Tirikatene was initially ahead before Ferris won the seat.
Te Pāti Māori's Murch rejected the idea of a coalition with the current Government, stating that Te Pāti Māori would not align with National, Act, or New Zealand First. She argued that one person would not be able to make a difference in such a government.
Where reports differ
- One report notes Ferris's past expulsion from Te Pāti Māori was linked to a controversial social media post, while another focuses on his debate performance and the poll results
Compiled from reports by NZ Herald and The Post.
