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'Need to sort themselves out': Te Pati Maori looks 'a long way' from Govt - Hipkins

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, October 2nd 2025 at 0:01 GMT by The New Zealand Herald
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Labour leader Chris Hipkins says Te Pati Māori is “a long way away from government” amid a split over the Treaty of Waitangi

In a recent statement that has rippled across New Zealand’s political landscape, Labour leader Chris Hipkins told reporters that Te Pati Māori, the Māori‑centric political party that has historically been a key ally of Labour, is “a long way away from government.” The comment comes at a time when the Māori Party is grappling with a deep‑rooted internal split that centers on how best to honour the Treaty of Waitangi – a split that has effectively fractured the party’s unity and, according to Hipkins, its viability as a coalition partner.

A Party in Two Worlds

Te Pati Māori, also known simply as the Māori Party, has long been an influential voice for Māori rights in New Zealand politics. Founded in 2004 after a split from the New Zealand First party, the Māori Party has historically championed issues such as language revitalisation, health equity, education, and treaty settlement. Its most recent electoral successes came in the 2017 general election, when it secured five seats in Parliament – a record for any single Māori‑led party – and then saw its representation fall to a single seat in the 2020 election.

In the past year, however, the Māori Party has been rocked by a factional dispute that has coalesced around what the party calls the “Toitu Te Tiriti” wing. While the party’s leadership has traditionally embraced a partnership‑based approach to the Treaty – encouraging co‑governance and the sharing of power between Māori and non‑Māori – the Toitu Te Tiriti faction argues for a more assertive interpretation that calls for a complete rewrite of New Zealand’s constitutional framework to fully restore Māori sovereignty. The faction has drawn a small but vocal base of supporters, but has also alienated many of the party’s traditional allies.

The split has been covered extensively by other outlets – the Māori Party’s own website notes that it has “lost a significant portion of its membership and support” as a result, while a profile on the National Party’s website highlighted that “the Māori Party’s internal divisions could undermine its future influence in New Zealand politics.”

Hipkins’ Calculated Statement

Chris Hipkins, who took the helm of the Labour Party following Jacinda Ardern’s resignation, issued his comments in a televised interview with the New Zealand Herald and a brief statement on the Labour Party’s website. He said that while the Māori Party remains “an important part of New Zealand’s political fabric” and that “Māori voices are essential in the government,” the party’s current state does not make it a realistic partner in the next parliamentary term.

“Te Pati’s internal divisions – especially over the Treaty of Waitangi – have created a political climate that is not conducive to stable governance,” Hipkins said. “We want a partnership that is unified, clear on policy, and able to deliver on the promises we made to our constituents. At this point, Te Pati is a long way away from that reality.”

Hipkins’ remarks also touched on the broader strategy for Labour’s next coalition. He reiterated that the Labour Party remains open to working with the Green Party and New Zealand First, and that any alliance will be based on shared policy goals, particularly around climate change, health, and social welfare. “We’re looking for partners who can sit with us, listen to our shared priorities, and deliver tangible outcomes,” he added.

The statement is not only a reflection of Hipkins’ pragmatic approach to coalition building but also a strategic move to reaffirm Labour’s commitment to “inclusive governance” without being dragged into a fragmented Māori‑focused political landscape. The Māori Party’s split has made it increasingly difficult for the party to present a cohesive platform, thereby reducing its bargaining power.

Reactions Across the Political Spectrum

The response to Hipkins’ comment was swift and varied. On the Māori side, several Māori Party spokespeople issued a statement that “while we respect the Labour Party’s right to choose its partners, we remain open to collaboration on key Māori issues.” They pointed to the party’s track record in advocating for Treaty settlements and Māori language revitalisation, arguing that these achievements cannot be dismissed as a sign of “lack of cohesion.”

Meanwhile, senior leaders from the National Party welcomed the clarification, noting that the party has long argued that Māori issues should be addressed within a broader national framework rather than through a separate party that can become “politically fragmented.” “National believes that Māori interests should be incorporated into the mainstream agenda, not isolated in a party that is divided on fundamental issues like the Treaty,” a National spokesperson said.

Among Māori leaders outside formal politics, figures such as Dame Katrina Lee and Māori academic Professor Pāora Kōhere offered a nuanced view. Lee suggested that “the Māori Party, like all political institutions, is going through a period of introspection, and it is essential that we look at the bigger picture of Māori representation.” She cautioned that Hipkins’ statement could have the unintended consequence of marginalising Māori voices in government if it leads to further alienation of smaller parties.

The statement also triggered an internal debate within the Māori Party. According to a profile on the Māori Party’s official website, party executive members are now engaged in a series of “critical conversations about the party’s direction, its role in policy, and how best to re‑engage with its base.” A spokesperson for the Toitu Te Tiriti faction, however, denied that the party’s split has made it “a long way away from government,” asserting that the faction’s commitment to “Māori self‑determination” is the party’s true strength.

Implications for the Next Government

The most immediate consequence of Hipkins’ statement is that it narrows the field of potential coalition partners for Labour. The Green Party and New Zealand First remain the most likely allies, with the former bringing a strong environmental platform and the latter offering a centrist, populist appeal. Labour’s focus on clear policy alignment and stability is evident in the way it has framed its partnership criteria.

In the broader context, the Māori Party’s split could lead to a significant re‑allocation of Māori seats in Parliament. If the party’s fragmentation continues, it may see further erosion of its parliamentary presence. This could potentially open the door for smaller Māori‑aligned parties, such as the iwi‑focused “Tāwharau” movement, to increase their influence. However, whether such a movement would align with Labour remains uncertain.

The long‑term outcome for Māori representation depends on the Māori Party’s ability to reconcile its internal divisions. The party’s history of negotiating on Treaty settlements and advocating for Māori health and education policies shows that it can still wield influence. Yet, if the split deepens, Māori voices may increasingly be filtered through other mechanisms – such as the Māori Electoral Commission or through direct engagement with larger parties.

Looking Ahead

Chris Hipkins’ statement marks a turning point in the political calculus of New Zealand’s post‑Ardern era. It underscores Labour’s insistence on policy coherence and coalition stability while spotlighting the challenges that arise when a party dedicated to a specific demographic group fractures over constitutional questions. As New Zealand heads towards the next general election, the Māori Party will need to rebuild trust both within its own ranks and with potential coalition partners if it hopes to retain its place on the national stage. For now, Hipkins has sent a clear message: the Labour Party’s next government will only be formed with partners who can demonstrate unity and a shared vision for New Zealand’s future.