Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi has emerged as the single highest priority for Hauraki-Waikato voters, alongside sharp criticism over the Crown’s handling of the Waikato River settlement, according to new poll results released ahead of Whakaata Māori’s live Whakatau 2026 Waiariki electorate debate tonight at 7:00pm.

The broadcast will feature the candidate debate followed immediately by a panel of political commentators analysing the pros, cons, and strategic fallout of these numbers hosted by Aukaha News.

The survey, conducted by Curia Market Research between Sep 21 and Oct 01, 2026, polled 500 enrolled Māori whānau voters in the Hauraki-Waikato electorate.

1.Te Tiriti & Government Priorities

When asked to choose the single highest priority for the next Government to improve outcomes for Māori, honouring Te Tiriti topped the list:
• Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi: 26%
• Reducing poverty and homelessness: 24%
• Improving health and education outcomes: 20%
• Support for mental health and drug addiction: 13%
• Addressing Māori unemployment: 12%
• Other: 6%

Demographic & Political Splits:
• Gender: Wāhine prioritized honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi at double the rate of tāne (34% vs. 17%). Tāne were more focused on mental health and addiction support (18% vs. 8%).
• Party Affiliation: Te Pāti Māori voters overwhelmingly identified honouring Te Tiriti as the top priority (49%), compared to 13% of Labour voters.

2. Crown Failings on Waikato River

Settlement plurality sentiment reflects widespread dissatisfaction regarding Treaty obligations for the Waikato River:
• 47% believe the Crown is not upholding its commitments to restore and protect the health and wellbeing of the river.
• 26% believe the Crown is upholding its commitments.
• 27% remain unsure.

3.Māori Health Sector Focus

Voters were asked which approach the Government should prioritise for Māori health:
• 44% favour improving the health system for all New Zealanders.
• 28% support funding and resources for Māori health providers.
• 22% favour re-establishing Te Aka Whai Ora (the independent Māori Health Authority).
• 5% are unsure.

Demographic Breakdown: Younger voters favoured targeted funding for Māori health providers, while respondents aged 60+ overwhelmingly favoured improvements to the unified health system for all New Zealanders.