# MP Profile: Rawiri Waititi (Te Pāti Māori)

**Party:** Te Pāti Māori (Māori Party)
**Electorate:** Waiariki
**Parliament URL:** https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/waititi-rawiri/ _(Radware-blocked — inaccessible via automated scraping)_
**Current Roles:**

- Co-leader of Te Pāti Māori
- Spokesperson for Māori Development (Whānau Ora, Oranga Tamariki)
- Spokesperson for Housing & Treaty Settlements

**Relevance to Seniors:** 🟡 **MEDIUM-HIGH** — _Co-leader of Te Pāti Māori; party advocates specifically for kaumātua (Māori elders) housing, Māori health equity, Māori-led aged care, and intergenerational wellbeing._

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## Public Background

Rawiri Waititi was first elected in 2020 winning the Waiariki electorate (Bay of Plenty / Rotorua / Taupō region). He has been co-leader of Te Pāti Māori since 2020 (initially alongside Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and more recently alongside a rotation). He is of Te Arawa, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa, and Ngāti Porou descent. Before entering Parliament he worked in Māori media, broadcasting, and community development. As co-leader, Waititi shapes Te Pāti Māori's policy platform which includes specific kaumātua-focused policies on housing, health, income support, and aged care.

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## Public Positions Relevant to Older New Zealanders

| Policy Area                              | Stated Position / Activity                                                                                                                                          |
| ---------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Kaumātua Housing**                     | Te Pāti Māori advocates for dedicated kaumātua housing — culturally appropriate, intergenerational, and papakāinga (Māori communal) housing models for older Māori. |
| **Māori Health Equity**                  | Strong advocacy for eliminating health inequities experienced by kaumātua — lower life expectancy, higher rates of chronic disease, poorer access to healthcare.    |
| **Māori-Led Aged Care**                  | Supports Māori-provider-led aged care services that incorporate tikanga Māori, kawa, and te reo Māori.                                                              |
| **NZ Super / Income Support**            | Supports retaining NZ Super at 65. Advocates for adequate income support that reflects the higher cost of living for kaumātua in rural areas.                       |
| **Whānau Ora**                           | Whānau Ora commissioning approach includes kaumātua wellbeing — intergenerational family-centred support.                                                           |
| **Oranga / Wellbeing**                   | Holistic Māori wellbeing approach (te whare tapa whā) relevant to mental, physical, spiritual, and family health of older Māori.                                    |
| **Rangatiratanga / Self-Determination**  | Te Pāti Māori advocates for Māori communities having control over services for kaumātua rather than government-run models.                                          |
| **Intergenerational Equity**             | Waititi has spoken about the responsibility to both kaumātua and mokopuna (grandchildren) — intergenerational policy approach.                                      |
| **Treaty of Waitangi / He Whakaputanga** | Constitutional recognition of Te Tiriti — affects kaumātua as holders of mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and cultural leadership.                                |

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## Voting & Bill Relevance

- **Confidence and Supply:** Te Pāti Māori's support for a Labour-led government would come with kaumātua-specific policy demands.
- **Housing Legislation:** Papakāinga and kaumātua housing amendments / funding.
- **Health (Māori Health Authority) Bills:** Te Pāti Māori successfully advocated for the Māori Health Authority in the previous government; will defend it against disestablishment.
- **Treaty Principles Bills:** Opposition to any legislation that weakens Te Tiriti — relevant to kaumātua as treaty partners.
- **Budget Negotiations:** Te Pāti Māori would seek specific kaumātua funding allocations in any coalition/confidence arrangement.

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## Business Implications

- **Māori Health & Aged Care Providers:** Growth in Māori-led aged care and kaupapa Māori health services under Te Pāti Māori advocacy.
- **Papakāinga Developers:** Kaumātua housing developments create opportunities for Māori construction and housing providers.
- **Whānau Ora Providers:** Commissioning model creates contracting opportunities for community providers serving kaumātua.
- **Pharmaceutical / Health Sector:** Māori health equity focus affects health system procurement and service design.
- **Cultural Competency Services:** Demand for Māori cultural competency training in aged care and health sectors.

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## Campaign Relevance

- **Waiariki Electorate:** Waititi must hold Waiariki — a key marginal Māori electorate campaign.
- **Māori Vote Mobilisation:** Te Pāti Māori targets Māori voters, including kaumātua who are more likely to vote. Party messaging emphasises kaumātua respect and protection.
- **Coalition Potential:** Te Pāti Māori is a potential partner for Labour; kaumātua policy would be a negotiating priority.
- **2026 Election:** Te Pāti Māori aims to increase its parliamentary caucus; seniors/kaumātua platform is part of broader Māori wellbeing strategy.
- **Intergenerational Message:** Waititi's campaign often connects kaumātua (elders) and rangatahi (youth) as the bookends of whānau policy.

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## Source List

- Parliament.nz — MP profile _(Radware-blocked)_
- Te Pāti Māori — Policy platform, media releases, manifesto
- Official Hansard — Question Time, Bill debates, Budget response
- Māori Health Authority / Te Aka Whai Ora — Strategy documents
- Whānau Ora commissioning agency reports
- Media: Māori Television, RNZ, NZ Herald — political coverage