Greens on course to pick up first Māori electorate - poll
A recent poll suggests the Green Party may win its first Māori electorate in New Zealand, with candidate Hūhana Lyndon leading in a tight four-way race. The survey highlights cost of living as the primary concern for voters in the Te Tai Tokerau electorate.
Why it matters
This represents a potential shift in New Zealand's political landscape regarding Māori representation and party influence.
The Green Party could be about to pick up their first Māori electorate with Hūhana Lyndon ahead of rivals in a tight race to become the next Te Tai Tokerau electorate MP, according to a poll.
The Whakaata Māori-Curia poll, released ahead of a Whakaata Māori debate tonight, shows Lyndon has the support of 24% of voters in the electorate.
The next-highest-polling candidate is Labour’s Willow-Jean Prime on 18%, while Te Pāti Māori’s Aperahama Edwards is just behind on 17%.
Incumbent MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi polled 12%.
Labour was ahead in the party vote on 32%, followed by the Greens on 29%, Te Pāti Māori, 1% and NZ First, 7%.
Te Tai Tokerau had been picked as one of this election’s most exciting races after Kapa-Kingi fell out with Te Pāti Māori and opted to run as an independent.
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