Peeni Henare Concedes Tāmaki Makaurau By-Election to Oriini Kaipara

Labour’s Peeni Henare has officially conceded defeat in the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election, acknowledging the victory of Te Pāti Māori candidate Oriini Kaipara. As the vote count reached 80 percent, Henare reported receiving just over half the votes compared to Kaipara, who emerged as the clear frontrunner.

At the election night gathering in Te Atatu Peninsula, Kaipara was met with cheers and applause from her supporters. A crowd had assembled, eager to witness the election results alongside the All Blacks match. The atmosphere was jubilant as Kaipara arrived, greeted by hugs and an emotional embrace with the party’s co-leaders.

In her address to the enthusiastic crowd, Kaipara began with a heartfelt song before expressing her gratitude in te reo Māori, stating, “Takutai, mōu tēnei” (Takutai, this is for you). She thanked her supporters for their “toil and belief,” highlighting the community’s dedication to her campaign.

The by-election was called following the unexpected passing of Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp in June 2023. Five candidates competed for the seat, which encompasses a diverse area stretching from the Waitākere Ranges to Bucklands Beach, including most of Auckland’s southern and eastern suburbs, as well as Waiheke Island.

Tāmaki Makaurau is notable for having the highest average annual household income among Māori electorates, at nearly $130,000. Contrastingly, it also has the largest number of individuals relying on the jobseeker benefit.

As the final votes are counted, the outcome of this by-election marks a significant shift in the political landscape of the region, with implications for both local governance and national representation. Further developments are anticipated as the political community reflects on the results and their potential impact.