Oriini Kaipara first to join race to represent Te Pāti Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau by-election

Monday, 7 July 2025

Oriini Kaipara is the first to join the Te Pāti Māori selection race for the Tāmaki Makaurau seat by-election. (File photo)

Well-known TV broadcaster and journalist Oriini Kaipara has thrown her hat in the ring to represent Te Pāti Māori in the upcoming Tāmaki Makaurau Māori seat by-election, triggered after the death of Takutai Moana 'Tarsh' Kemp, aged 50, in June.

In a post to social media, Kaipara said Tāmaki Makaurau is “more than a city”.

“It is a heartbeat. A place where mana whenua and urban Māori rise together,” she said.

“Where our struggles are real - but so is our strength. I see you, I hear you, I am you.

“We are the movement. Vote for me to be your next Te Pāti Māori MP for Tāmaki Makaurau.”

Kaipara is currently the Pouwhiringa Māori culture lead for the NZ Olympic Committee. She was also a presenter and journalist for Newshub, and was on the broadcast team for Te Matatini this year.

She made history in 2019 as the first woman with a moko kauae to anchor a mainstream news bulletin.