Kingi Kiriona to Contest Hauraki-Waikato for Labour Amid "Divestment" Concerns

Te reo expert and kapa haka leader Kingi Kiriona joins Labour to contest Hauraki-Waikato, citing government "divestment" from kaupapa Māori initiatives.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 18, 2026, 3:56 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

The Motivation: Reversing "Anti-Māori" Policy

Kiriona (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Kahungunu) cited the current government's policy direction as the catalyst for his move into politics. He pointed specifically to:

Education Reform: The removal of school boards' legal obligations to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Funding Cuts: Reductions in funding for te reo Māori teacher training and broader Māori education.

Economic Impact: Kiriona shared that his own business, TupuOra, has seen its staff numbers drop from 30 to five since the change in government, illustrating the direct impact of "divestment" on Māori families.

"It’s time for change," Kiriona told RNZ. "It would be remiss of me not to stand up... to say enough is enough."