The Labour Party has selected Māori leader Kingi Kiriona (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Kahungunu) as its candidate for the Hauraki-Waikato Māori electorate for 2026.
“The opportunity to stand for the Labour Party, and represent the people of Hauraki-Waikato is a huge honour,” Kingi Kiriona said.
The announcement follows a meeting Kiriona had with the Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, where he received her blessing to stand.
“I am here because of the aroha and support of leaders and whānau throughout the rohe over many years. I look forward to giving back in service to them,” Kingi Kiriona said.
With an extensive background in cultural development leading large-scale initiatives across education, health, broadcasting, and infrastructure, Kingi Kiriona was appointed to the Waitangi Tribunal in early 2025.
A former journalist, Kingi Kiriona currently serves as the Deputy Chair of the NZ Māori Broadcasting Funding Agency, Te Māngai Pāho, following three terms as Board Director of Whakaata Māori. He is also the founder of Māori education provider, TupuOra,
He credits his ability to lead and serve Māori and the wider public good to his experiences as a father, a graduate of Kōhanga Reo and Te Panekiretanga, and as a tutor of the renowned Waikato-based kapa haka, Te Iti Kahurangi.
“Throughout my journey, I have been driven by the power of nurturing potential, and the importance of empowering people, particularly rangatahi, to in turn uplift others. This is reflected in my work with my own kapahaka, Te Iti Kahurangi, which has given me a family, a home, and experiences to stand comfortably on the performance stage and the world stage,” Kingi Kiriona said.