Tāmaki Makaurau candidate Kerrin Leoni is raising serious concerns after receiving reports that voters at polling booths are being advised that votes cast for her will not be counted.

Demanding immediate intervention from the Electoral Commission, Leoni emphasithat she has sought formal legal confirmation to ensure voters know their democratic rights remain fully intact.

“Whānau, I want to be absolutely clear. I have sought confirmation from the Electoral Commission and legal advisers that votes cast for Kerrin Leoni remain valid. No voter should be made to feel that their vote does not count,” Leoni said.

Leoni’s decision to remain in the race follows her resignation from the Labour Party on Oct 23, 2026, following a high-profile candidacy launch earlier this year at Ngā Whare Waatea Marae in Māngere. Despite stepping away from the party line, she maintains that her commitment to the electorate has not wavered.

“I stood down from the Labour Party, but I did not stand down from my people,” she said. “I have stayed in this race because whānau have told me they want me to continue. They want a strong mana wahine who will stand up for them, advocate for their needs and deliver results.”

Recent polling for the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate highlighted a tight contest between Te Pāti Māori candidate Oriini Kaipara at 33% and Leoni at 31%, underscoring the high stakes of the 2026 election.

Leoni brings extensive local governance and community leadership experience to her independent bid, including six years in Auckland local government across the Waitematā and Whau boards and as an Auckland Ward Councillor. She previously served as Executive Director for her iwi, Ngāti Pāoa, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Services along with Master’s degrees in Youth Development (AUT) and International Politics and Economics (King’s College London).

Refusing to let recent media coverage derail her campaign, Leoni called for a fair election anchored in accurate information and tino rangatiratanga.

“I am calling for any reports of voters being incorrectly advised about the validity of their vote to be urgently investigated and addressed by the Electoral Commission,” Leoni said. “The people of Tāmaki Makaurau should decide who represents them in Parliament. That is democracy. That is tino rangatiratanga.”