Oriini Kaipara (left) is the MP for Tāmaki Makaurau - and Kerrin Leoni (right) wants to challenge and win it for Labour.
Oriini Kaipara (left) is the MP for Tāmaki Makaurau - and Kerrin Leoni (right) wants to challenge and win it for Labour.
Labour has selected former Auckland mayoral candidate Kerrin Leoni to contest the Tāmaki Makaurau seat currently held by Te Pāti Māori candidate Oriini Kaipara in the 2026 general election.
Leoni (Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāi Takoto, Ngāti Kurī) beat up-and-coming candidate Nathaniel Howe tothe nomination for the Māori electorate that includes all of central Auckland south of the Harbour Bridge.
More than 100 Labour Party members met on Sunday to grill Leoni and Howe in what the Herald understands was a tough question and answer session.
Labourformally confirmed the former Auckland Councillor’s candidacy for Tāmaki Makaurau this morning.
Kerrin Leoni will attempt to win the Tāmaki Makaurau seat back for Labour at the November election.
Oriini Kaipara is congratulated by a supporter as confirmation came through she had won the 2025 Tāmaki Makaurau by-election. Photo / Julia Gabel
Kaipara herself is a new MP, having entered Parliament in September 2025 after the death of Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp, who suffered from kidney failure.
Leoni attended King’s College in London and received a master’s degree in economics and international politics.
She told the Herald that if she wins the seat, some of her priorities will be whānau suffering from poor health, housing problems and the high cost of living.
“I hope to use my academic background and international experience and bring it to a Māori seat,” Leoni said.
I hope to use my academic background and international experience and bring it to a Māori seat.
“It’s important we have people with the knowledge and skill base for Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau. We need someone to focus on bringing our people forward.”
The Tāmaki Makaurau electorate was first formed for the 2002 election and has been previously held by John Tamihere for Labour, Pita Sharples for Te Pāti Māori, Peeni Henare for Labour and Kemp for Te Pāti Māori.
Joseph Los’e joined NZME in 2022 as Kaupapa Māori Editor. Los’e was a chief reporter, news director at the Sunday News newspaper covering crime, justice and sport. He was also editor of the NZ Truth and before NZME worked for urban Māori organisation Whānau Waipareira.
