Rangitikei Māori ward councillor Coral Raukawa has officially announced her candidacy for the National Party in the Te Tai Hauāuru electorate for the 2026 General Election. Raukawa is set to challenge incumbent MP and Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, as well as Labour candidate Te Puoho Katene.

The contest presents a significant challenge, with the Te Tai Hauāuru electorate serving as the second-largest seat in New Zealand. The campaign trail requires extensive travel, covering a 1,600km round trip to reach approximately 40,000 voters on the Māori roll.

Addressing the scope of the campaign, Raukawa acknowledged the magnitude of the undertaking. “The rohe is 1600 kms roundtrip, to do one round trip is 1600 kms, 40,000 on the roll, on the Māori roll, second biggest seat in New Zealand, it is a huge task to take on,” Raukawa said. 

Despite the logistical hurdles, she remains committed to her party choice.

“Working inside National, working with the party, in the electorate I believe that National would be the best place where I could, where this journey could continue and where I could best help our people,” she stated.

National’s Tama Potaka has offered his public support for Raukawa’s bid, encouraging her efforts to step into the role.

The incumbent, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, noted her familiarity with Raukawa’s background but highlighted policy differences between their parties. “I know Coral and some of the mahi she’s done as a Māori ward councillor and I think good luck to her,” Ngarewa-Packer said. 

However, she added, “It would be good to see National do more authentic things for Te Ao Māori and this is a particular National government that has clawed back a lot of the hard work that we’ve built over the years”.

Raukawa emphasized that her primary motivation is to influence change for her community. “If I can affect change and help our Māori people of Te Tai Hauāuru, then if I’m at the table that’s what I want to do,” she explained. 

She also expressed gratitude for the personal support she has received, noting, “I feel like I’ve got a lot of support from family and friends who have congratulated me on this journey and it is a journey”.

Looking ahead to the election, Raukawa framed the contest as a positive development for voters. “Who wins at the end of the day, it’s our people because at the end of the day our people are spoilt for choice”.