2025 Tāmaki Makaurau by-election

2025 Tāmaki Makaurau by-election
6 September 2025
Tāmaki Makaurau Māori constituency of the House of Representatives
  First party Second party
 
Candidate Oriini Kaipara Peeni Henare
Party Te Pāti Māori Labour
Popular vote 6,948 3,429
Percentage 65.01% 32.08%
Margin of victory
MP before election

Takutai Tarsh Kemp†
Te Pāti Māori

Elected MP

Oriini Kaipara
Te Pāti Māori

A by-election was held in the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate on 6 September 2025. The by-election was triggered by the death of Takutai Tarsh Kemp, an MP for Te Pāti Māori.

Broadcaster Oriini Kaipara held the seat for Te Pāti Māori, defeating Labour MP Peeni Henare, who previously held it between 2014 and 2023.

Background

Constituency

The electorate covers central and southern Auckland.[1] At the 2023 election, Takutai Tarsh Kemp of Te Pāti Māori defeated the incumbent Labour MP Peeni Henare by a margin of just 42 votes.[2]

Trigger

The by-election was triggered by the unexpected death of the sitting MP, Kemp, on 26 June 2025.[2][3]

The process for calling a by-election when an MP dies is that once the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages receives the registration of death for a sitting MP, they must inform the speaker of the House of Representatives within 12 hours.[4] The speaker of the House must then publish, without delay, the notice of vacancy of the seat in the New Zealand Gazette.[5] The notice was published in the Gazette on 9 July 2025.[6]

The governor-general must issue the writ for a by-election to fill a vacant electorate seat within 21 days of the Gazette notice (i.e. 30 July 2025).[5] Because polling day must be a Saturday[7] and two weeks are generally required for the counting of special votes, the last possible polling day was Saturday, 13 September 2025.

On 14 July, the prime minister, Christopher Luxon, announced that the by-election would be held on Saturday, 6 September.[8] The writ must be returned with the successful candidate within 60 days of its issue,[7] which meant the writ had to be returned by 28 September 2025.

Candidates

In early July, former journalist Oriini Kaipara announced her intention to seek the nomination to be Te Pāti Māori's candidate for the by-election.[9] Youth worker Te Kou o Rehua Panapa also declared intention to seek the Te Pāti Māori nomination, while Eru Kapa-Kingi, a list candidate in 2023, ruled himself out.[10] Party members of Te Pāti Māori voted for their candidate,[11] with the selection taking place on 10 July and the successful candidate formally announced the next day.[12] Kaipara was confirmed as the nominee on 10 July.[13]

Previous Tāmaki Makaurau MP, Peeni Henare, told reporters on 26 June that he had not yet thought about whether he would stand in the by-election, saying "that's not where my mind is".[2] On 13 July, Labour confirmed Henare as their candidate.[14]

National, ACT, New Zealand First and the Greens all announced they would not run candidates.[15][16] Vision NZ leader Hannah Tamaki contested the seat again, having received 829 votes in 2023.[16]

List of candidates
Party Photo Candidate Background
NZ Loyal Kelvyn Alp [17]
Labour Peeni Henare List MP and former MP for Tāmaki Makaurau.
Te Pāti Māori Oriini Kaipara Broadcaster and journalist, first person to present a prime-time news programme with a moko kauae facial tattoo.
Independent Sherry Lee Matene [17]
Vision NZ Hannah Tamaki Leader of Vision NZ and wife of controversial Pentecostal preacher Brian Tamaki (leader of Destiny Church).[18]

Campaign

A candidate debate was held at Ngā Whare Waatea Marae in Māngere on 20 August hosted by Radio Waatea. Henare and Kaipara were the only candidates invited to participate. Karl Mokaraka, a former Vision NZ candidate, disrupted the event by protesting the exclusion of Vision NZ’s candidate, Hannah Tamaki. Mokaraka was escorted out amid audience heckles as Kaipara led a waiata to calm the crowd. The remaining debate proceeded cordially with candidates discussing issues like housing, the cost of living, education, Māori issues and foreign affairs.[19] During that same debate, both Henare and Kaipara voiced support for repealing the Gangs Act 2024's ban on gang patches. Henare's remarks contradicted the Labour Party's official position of not repealing the gang patch ban; with both Labour leader Chris Hipkins and deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni issuing statements that Henare's remarks did not represent official Labour policy. Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said that her party spoke for Māori while Labour represented mainstream policy. National Party MP and Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith questioned Labour's commitment to not repealing the gang patch ban.[20]

On 4 September 2025, Te Pāti Māori MP Tākuta Ferris published a controversial social media post criticising the ethnicity of several Labour Party campaign volunteers during the 2025 Tāmaki Makaurau by-election, accusing them of trying to steal a Māori seat. In response, Te Pāti Māori disavowed Ferris' post, issued an apology and ordered him to remove it. Labour MP Willie Jackson condemned Ferris' social media remarks as offensive and reiterated his party's commitment to representing all ethnic communities.[21][22]

Results

Oriini Kaipara won the election with 6,948 votes – a margin of 3,519 votes over Peeni Henare, who received 3,429 votes. Hannah Tamaki received 175 votes, Sherry-Lee Matene received 41, and Kelvyn Alp received 26.[23][24][25] Henare conceded defeat on the night of the by-election while Kaipara gave an acceptance speech and song to her supporters.[26]

Turnout was low, with only around 27.1% of the 44,269 people enrolled to vote in the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate taking part.[25]

Overall

The following table shows the final results of the by-election:[27]

2025 Tāmaki Makaurau by-election

Notes: Blue background denotes the winner of the by-election.
Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list prior to the by-election.
Yellow background denotes the winner of the by-election, who was a list MP prior to the by-election.
A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively.

Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Te Pāti Māori Oriini Kaipara 6,948 65.01
Labour Peeni Henare 3,429 32.08
Vision NZ Hannah Tamaki 175 1.64
Independent Sherry Lee Matene 41 0.38
NZ Loyal Kelvyn Alp 26 0.24
Informal votes 69 0.65
Total Valid votes 10,619 99.35
Turnout 10,688
Te Pāti Māori hold Majority 3,519 32.93


By ward

Results by ward
Ward Margin (pp) Kaipara Henare Other Valid Informal Total
Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %
Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa 30.02 465 64.32 248 34.30 9 1.24 722 99.86 1 0.14 723
Howick 7.23 157 51.64 135 44.41 10 3.29 302 99.34 2 0.66 304
Manukau 28.56 1,944 62.73 1,059 34.17 76 2.45 3,079 99.35 20 0.65 3,099
Manurewa-Papakura 35.32 1,139 65.95 529 30.63 49 2.84 1,717 99.42 10 0.58 1,727
Maungakiekie-Tāmaki 22.41 675 59.79 422 37.38 24 2.13 1,121 99.29 8 0.71 1,129
Ōrākei 9.60 163 53.97 134 44.37 2 0.66 299 99.01 3 0.99 302
Waitākere 52.97 620 75.33 184 22.36 14 1.70 155 99.36 5 0.61 823
Waitematā and Gulf 40.88 444 69.81 184 28.93 4 0.63 1,153 98.97 4 0.63 636
Whau 35.42 416 66.67 195 31.25 10 1.60 818 99.39 3 0.48 624
Overseas 55.13 116 74.36 30 19.23 9 5.77 632 99.37 1 0.64 156
Special 42.92 809 69.44 309 26.52 35 3.00 621 99.52 12 1.03 1,165
Total 32.93 6,948 65.01 3,429 32.08 242 2.26 10,619 99.35 69 0.65 10,688

By suburb

Results by suburb
Suburb Margin (pp) Kaipara Henare Other Valid Informal Total
Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %
Auckland City 44.59 159 71.62 60 27.03 2 0.90 221 99.55 1 0.45 222
Avondale 31.80 126 64.62 64 32.82 3 1.54 193 98.97 2 1.03 195
Blockhouse Bay 18.83 49 57.65 33 38.82 2 2.35 84 98.82 1 1.18 85
Clendon Park 42.82 240 68.97 91 26.15 12 3.45 343 98.56 5 1.44 348
Clover Park 30.47 215 63.61 112 33.14 9 2.66 336 99.41 2 0.59 338
Conifer Grove 22.22 22 61.11 14 38.89 0 0.00 36 100.00 0 0.00 36
East Tāmaki 0.00 22 46.81 22 46.81 3 6.38 47 100.00 0 0.00 47
Ellerslie 28.18 68 61.82 37 33.64 5 4.55 110 100.00 0 0.00 110
Epsom 57.14 11 78.57 3 21.43 0 0.00 14 100.00 0 0.00 14
Flat Bush 10.00 16 53.33 13 43.33 1 3.33 30 100.00 0 0.00 30
Glen Eden 53.95 173 75.88 50 21.93 4 1.75 227 99.56 1 0.44 228
Glen Innes 25.38 448 61.12 262 35.74 16 2.18 726 99.05 7 0.95 733
Glendene 42.70 136 70.83 54 28.13 1 0.52 191 99.48 1 0.52 192
Golflands 69.24 22 84.62 4 15.38 0 0.00 26 100.00 0 0.00 26
Grafton 4.30 43 46.24 47 50.54 2 2.15 92 98.92 1 1.08 93
Grey Lynn 34.86 117 66.86 56 32.00 2 1.14 175 100.00 0 0.00 175
Half Moon Bay 16.66 14 58.33 10 41.67 0 0.00 24 100.00 0 0.00 24
Henderson 71.96 140 85.37 22 13.41 2 1.22 164 100.00 0 0.00 164
Highland Park 10.47 36 41.86 45 52.33 5 5.81 86 100.00 0 0.00 86
Hillpark 16.13 35 56.45 25 40.32 2 3.23 62 100.00 0 0.00 62
Hillsborough Bay 32.43 24 64.86 12 32.43 1 2.70 37 100.00 0 0.00 37
Kelston 59.15 56 78.87 14 19.72 1 1.41 71 100.00 0 0.00 71
Kingsland 24.39 25 60.98 15 36.59 1 2.44 41 100.00 0 0.00 41
Māngere 27.95 289 63.10 161 35.15 3 0.66 453 98.91 5 1.09 458
Māngere East 31.21 376 64.49 194 33.28 10 1.72 580 99.49 3 0.51 583
Manukau 32.65 529 64.20 260 31.55 30 3.64 819 99.39 5 0.61 824
Manurewa 35.38 484 66.12 225 30.74 21 2.87 730 99.73 2 0.27 732
Manurewa East 32.80 120 64.52 59 31.72 6 3.23 185 99.46 1 0.54 186
Mellons Bay 21.43 10 35.71 16 57.14 0 0.00 26 92.86 2 7.14 28
Morningside 12.50 7 43.75 9 56.25 0 0.00 16 100.00 0 0.00 16
Mt Albert 47.96 162 73.30 56 25.34 3 1.36 221 100.00 0 0.00 221
Mt Eden 20.85 112 59.89 73 39.04 1 0.53 186 99.47 1 0.53 187
Mt Roskill 20.58 20 58.82 13 38.24 1 2.94 34 100.00 0 0.00 34
Mt Wellington 28.37 47 63.51 26 35.14 1 1.35 74 100.00 0 0.00 74
New Lynn 37.00 185 67.77 84 30.77 4 1.47 273 100.00 0 0.00 273
Onehunga 16.55 83 57.24 59 40.69 2 1.38 144 99.31 1 0.69 145
Oneroa 35.00 13 65.00 6 30.00 0 0.00 19 95.00 1 5.00 20
Ōrākei 18.94 78 59.09 53 40.15 0 0.00 131 99.24 1 0.76 132
Ōtāhuhu 18.69 166 57.44 112 38.75 10 3.46 288 99.65 1 0.35 289
Ōtara 24.15 198 61.3 120 37.15 3 0.93 321 99.38 2 0.62 323
Pakuranga 32.56 28 65.12 14 32.56 1 2.33 43 100.00 0 0.00 43
Pakuranga Heights 10.00 9 45.00 11 55.00 0 0.00 20 100.00 0 0.00 20
Panmure 12.58 87 54.72 67 42.14 5 3.14 159 100.00 0 0.00 159
Papatoetoe 25.00 171 60.21 100 35.21 11 3.87 282 99.30 2 0.70 284
Parnell 16.66 14 58.33 10 41.67 0 0.00 24 100.00 0 0.00 24
Piha 80.00 9 90.00 1 10.00 0 0.00 10 100.00 0 0.00 10
Point Chevalier 9.84 33 54.10 27 44.26 1 1.64 61 100.00 0 0.00 61
Point England 11.12 10 55.56 8 44.44 0 0.00 18 100.00 0 0.00 18
Ponsonby 39.02 57 69.51 25 30.49 0 0.00 82 100.00 0 0.00 82
Randwick Park 26.32 23 60.53 13 34.21 1 2.63 37 97.37 1 2.63 38
Royal Oak 27.68 71 63.39 40 35.71 1 0.89 112 100.00 0 0.00 112
St Heliers 7.55 28 52.83 24 45.28 0 0.00 52 98.11 1 1.89 53
Surfdale 31.58 25 65.79 13 34.21 0 0.00 38 100.00 0 0.00 38
Takanini 54.06 57 77.03 17 22.97 0 0.00 74 100.00 0 0.00 74
Te Atatū South 45.23 119 70.83 43 25.60 4 2.38 166 98.81 2 1.19 168
Titirangi 47.54 43 70.49 14 22.95 3 4.92 60 98.36 1 1.64 61
Wattle Downs 31.86 73 64.6 37 32.74 2 1.77 112 99.12 1 0.88 113
Western Springs 49.50 73 73.74 24 24.24 0 0.00 97 97.98 2 2.02 99
Weymouth 21.42 17 60.71 11 39.29 0 0.00 28 100.00 0 0.00 28
Overseas 55.13 116 74.36 30 19.23 9 5.77 155 99.36 1 0.64 156
Other special 42.92 809 69.44 309 26.52 35 3.00 1,153 98.97 12 1.03 1,165
Total 32.93 6,948 65.01 3,429 32.08 242 2.26 10,619 99.35 69 0.65 10,688

Post-election events

On 6 September 2025, the Electoral Commission confirmed it would investigate a social media post released on the last polling day by Te Pāti Māori MP Tākuta Ferris that urged people to vote for his party.[25][26] The Commission also confirmed they were investigating two billboards and a gazebo left standing by the party.[26]

References

  1. ^ Council, Auckland. "Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland's heritage". Auckland Council. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Sowman-Lund, Stewart (26 June 2025). "Tāmaki Makaurau by-election: What happens next?". The Post.
  3. ^ "Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp dies". Stuff. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Section 58: Registrar of Births and Deaths to notify Speaker of death of member – Electoral Act 1993 No 87 (as of 1 July 2012) – New Zealand Legislation". Parliamentary Counsel Office. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Section 129: By-elections for members representing electoral districts – Electoral Act 1993 No 87 (as of 1 July 2012) – New Zealand Legislation". Parliamentary Counsel Office. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  6. ^ "Notice of vacancy in seat in House of Representatives". New Zealand Gazette. 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Section 139: Contents of writ – Electoral Act 1993 No 87 (as of 1 July 2012) – New Zealand Legislation". Parliamentary Counsel Office. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  8. ^ Natanahira, Tuwhenuaroa (14 July 2025). "Tāmaki Makaurau by-election to be held in September". RNZ National. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  9. ^ Hanly, Lillian (7 July 2025). "Former broadcaster Oriini Kaipara puts name forward for Te Pāti Māori's Tāmaki Makaurau candidate". RNZ. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  10. ^ Natanahira, Tuwhenuaroa (10 July 2025). "Te Pāti Māori meeting tonight to decide candidate for upcoming Tāmaki Makarau by-election". RNZ. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Journalist Oriini Kaipara seeking Te Pāti Māori candidacy for Tāmaki Makaurau seat". Newstalk ZB. 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  12. ^ Te Pāti Māori (9 July 2025). "Tāmaki Electorate Candidate Selection Update" (Press release). Scoop. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  13. ^ "Oriini Kaipara will represent Te Pāti Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau by-election". Stuff. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  14. ^ Manch, Thomas (13 July 2025). "Labour confirms Peeni Henare to contest Tāmaki Makaurau by-election". Stuff. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  15. ^ Milne, Jonathan (11 July 2025). "Tāmaki Makaurau by-election throws up curious quirk of MMP". Newsroom. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  16. ^ a b Pearse, Adam (11 July 2025). "Tāmaki Makaurau byelection: Labour set to choose candidate, Peeni Henare emerging as favourite". The New Zealand Herald.
  17. ^ a b "Tāmaki Makaurau by-election candidates announced". Electoral Commission. 5 August 2025.
  18. ^ Jamie Ensor (23 May 2019). "Hannah Tamaki to lead new political party Coalition New Zealand". Newshub. Archived from the original on 23 May 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2021. On Thursday, Hannah was announced as the leader of the party, saying it is not a party just for Christians but for everyone who feels frustrated with the current Government. Brian promised the party would be a 'vehicle' for the 'silent majority' to express their beliefs.
  19. ^ Smith, Sam (21 August 2025). "Tāmaki Makaurau by-election debate hit by heckler". Stuff. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  20. ^ Hanly, Lillian (22 August 2025). "Labour candidate Peeni Henare stands by gang-patch law repeal claim". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 24 August 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  21. ^ "Te Pāti Māori apologies over Tākuta Ferris'social media post". Radio New Zealand. 4 September 2025. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  22. ^ Ruru, Karanama; Burr, Lloyd (4 September 2025). "Te Pāti Māori for MP's 'totally unacceptable' social post". Stuff. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  23. ^ "Tāmaki Makaurau - Official Result". electionresults.govt.nz. Electoral Commission. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  24. ^ Williams, Caroline; Burr, Lloyd (6 September 2025). "'Looking forward to fighting a good fight': Oriini Kaipara wins Tāmaki Makaurau by-election". Stuff. Archived from the original on 6 September 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  25. ^ a b c "Oriini Kaipara decisively wins Tāmaki Makaurau by-election". 1News. 7 September 2025. Archived from the original on 8 September 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  26. ^ a b c "Labour's Peeni Henare conceded Tāmaki Makaurau by-election to Te Pāti Māori rival Oriini Kaipara". RNZ. 6 September 2025. Archived from the original on 6 September 2025. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  27. ^ "Results of the 2025 Tāmaki Makaurau By-election Official Count". New Zealand Gazette. 17 September 2025. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
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