Seven parties face questions on Māori voters' issues at TVNZ debate

TVNZ hosted its Kaupapa Māori Debate on 29 October 2026, with representatives from seven political parties answering questions on the issues that matter most to Māori voters. 1News said the parties were the main seven vying to have MPs in Parliament after the election.

The issues in the debate include the cost of living, the environment, jobs and te reo Māori, the Māori language, according to RNZ. Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Treaty of Waitangi, was also among the topics put forward for discussion, 1News reported before the event.

The election is set for 7 November. RNZ is running daily live coverage from the campaign trail until election day, with Political Editor Jo Moir and Deputy Editor Craig McCulloch on its election live team.

For context, RNZ reported that in 2023 Labour won the most party votes, with 37 percent, and Te Pāti Māori came second on 23 percent. RNZ