The Prime Minister today failed to give a straight answer on whether he personally supports the Māori electorates.

During Question Time in Parliament, Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, asked directly whether he backs the continued existence of the Māori electorates and whether he would support calls for a referendum on their future.

He refused to confirm his personal position. He declined to acknowledge that 13,000 more Māori have chosen to enrol on the Māori roll since 2023 - a clear democratic mandate.

Only when pressed on Government policy did he finally confirm that backing a referendum is not the Government’s position.

Māori communities deserve better than evasion and hesitation from their Prime Minister.

The Māori electorates are not a political bargaining chip. They are a democratic mechanism that enables Māori representation in Parliament, representation that Māori voters continue to choose in growing numbers.

Coalition partners have spent months creating uncertainty through public speculation about referendums.

Today confirms the Prime Minister is keeping his options open on a referendum on Māori seats.

Te Pāti Māori will entrench the Māori seats. We will not allow Māori representation to be reduced to a negotiating tactic or referendum threat.

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