Debbie Ngarewa-Packer leads candidate poll in Te Tai Hauāuru
Wednesday 30 September 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Labour Party, National Party, Te Pāti Māori, Green Party, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Whakaata Māori
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer is leading the candidate vote in Te Tai Hauāuru according to a Whakaata Māori-Curia poll. She holds 38 per cent of the vote, ahead of Labour's Te Pūoho Katene at 27 per cent. While Ngarewa-Packer leads the candidate vote, Labour is ahead on the party vote.
Key facts
5 facts
- Debbie Ngarewa-Packer leads candidate vote with 38%
- Labour leads party vote with 26% to 30% depending on undecided voters
- Cost of living is the top local issue at 36%
- Poll conducted by Curia Market Research between 14-24 September
- Sample size of 500 Māori voters in Te Tai Hauāuru
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer is leading the candidate vote in Te Tai Hauāuru according to new polling. In the survey, Ngarewa-Packer received 38 per cent support, ahead of Labour's Te Pūoho Kātene at 27 per cent and National's Coral Raukawa at 10 per cent. When undecided voters are excluded, Ngarewa-Packer's support rises to 46 per cent, while Kātene reaches 34 per cent and Raukawa 13 per cent.
Labour is currently the frontrunner for the party vote at 30 per cent, followed by the Green Party at 22 per cent and Te Pāti Māori at 18 per cent when excluding undecided voters. If undecided voters are included, Labour leads with 26 per cent, the Green Party has 19 per cent, and Te Pāti Māori has 16 per cent. The Green Party's support in the electorate has more than doubled compared to the 2023 election.
The cost of living was identified as the most important local issue by 36 per cent of respondents. Healthcare and the environment were both cited by 9 per cent of voters, while housing and Te Tiriti o Waitangi each received 8 per cent. Regarding the Taranaki seabed mining plan, 43 per cent of voters said economic development and environmental protection were equally important.
The Curia Market Research poll was commissioned by Whakaata Māori and conducted between 14 and 24 September. It surveyed 500 Māori voters in the electorate, including 420 by phone and 80 via an online panel. The maximum margin of error is plus or minus 4.5 percentage points at a 95 per cent confidence level.
Where reports differ
- Reports differ on the specific percentage for the Labour party vote, citing 26% in one and 30% in another.
- The reports provide different figures for the Te Pāti Māori party vote, stating 16% or 18%.
- One report states the Green Party support is 19% while another says 22% when excluding undecided voters.
Compiled from reports by NZ Herald and RNZ.
