Is Te Pāti Māori Crumbling or Growing Stronger? A Deep Dive into the Party's Recent Struggles and Bold Claims
4:06 pm today
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Te Pāti Māori finds itself at a crossroads, with its co-leaders, Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, staunchly defending the party's vitality despite a recent poll showing a drop in support to just one percent. But here's where it gets controversial: while the numbers paint a bleak picture, the leaders insist the party is not only surviving but thriving. How can this be? Let’s unpack the story.
The latest 1 News Verian poll reveals a two-point decline in support for Te Pāti Māori, a stark contrast to the party's previous standing. This comes on the heels of a tumultuous period marked by internal conflicts, high-profile expulsions, and a court order reinstating one of the ousted MPs. And this is the part most people miss: amidst the chaos, the party’s leadership remains unfazed, portraying these challenges as mere growing pains.
Waititi highlights the party’s recent Annual General Meeting (AGM), which drew hundreds of attendees, as a testament to its enduring strength. “The movement is strong,” he asserts, emphasizing the unity and resilience of their supporters. Ngarewa-Packer echoes this sentiment, acknowledging the difficulties but framing them as part of a broader narrative of high performance and unwavering commitment. “We’ve been a really high-performing party with high support,” she says, urging the party to “carry on mahia te mahi” (continue the work).
Bold claim alert: When pressed about the party’s true performance in light of the poll results and internal strife, Ngarewa-Packer describes these issues as natural growing pains. “We’re a party of maturity. We’re growing,” she explains, drawing parallels to other parties that have faced similar challenges while in government. But is this a fair comparison, or a convenient narrative? We’ll let you decide.
Meanwhile, the poll reveals shifts in support for other parties. National gained two points to reach 36 percent, ACT rose to 10 percent, and New Zealand First held steady at 9 percent. Labour saw a three-point increase to 35 percent, while the Greens dropped four points to 7 percent. Translated into parliamentary seats, the center-right bloc would secure 67 seats, enough to form a government, leaving the current opposition with 58.
National leader Christopher Luxon attributes his party’s rise to improving economic sentiment, claiming it validates their coalition’s plan. “Kiwis feel the economy strengthening,” he says, though he acknowledges there’s still work to be done. His colleagues share his optimism, with MPs like Maureen Pugh and Catherine Wedd expressing confidence in their party’s trajectory, albeit with the caveat that the only poll that truly matters is on election day.
ACT leader David Seymour takes a pragmatic approach, focusing on policy over polls. “Today is about generational change in planning law,” he asserts, referencing recent legislative reforms. New Zealand First’s Shane Jones remains cautious, acknowledging their resonance with voters but refusing to take support for granted. Labour’s Chris Hipkins and the Green Party’s Chlöe Swarbrick both emphasize their focus on policy and the potential of the upcoming election campaign.
Thought-provoking question: Are Te Pāti Māori’s recent struggles a sign of impending collapse, or are they genuinely growing pains on the path to maturity? Share your thoughts in the comments below. And don’t forget to sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, our daily newsletter curated by RNZ editors, for more insights like this delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
