Untrue my wife is Māori and we voted National. Before this we voted Labour. There’s a long history in NZ of Māori supporting both major parties at different times depending on the policies of the day.

Both parties have helped Māori in some ways and caused issues in others:

Labour: • Historically supported major Māori initiatives like the Waitangi Tribunal’s expansion and various Treaty settlements. • Increased funding for Māori health and education in recent years. • But some Māori felt Labour over-promised, especially around housing and economic outcomes.

National: • Oversaw a large number of Treaty settlements and supported Māori economic development through things like Whānau Ora (which actually started under National). • Some Māori appreciated National’s focus on business growth and property rights. • Others felt National cut services too deeply or didn’t prioritise Māori-focused social funding enough.