Former broadcaster and journalist Oriini Kaipara Photo: Screenshot / YouTube / Newshub
Former broadcaster and journalist Oriini Kaipara is putting her name forward to be Te Pāti Māori's Tāmaki Makaurau candidate.
It comes after Takutai Tarsh Kemp died, triggering a by-election in the Tāmaki Makaurau Māori electorate.
The former Te Karere, Māori Television and Newshub presenter posted a "special announcement" on social media, calling for people to vote for her.
It outlined the process to register as a member for the Māori Party and attend a hui at Hoani Waititi Marae this Thursday to vote in the candidate selection.
Kaipara, of Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe, Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Rangitihi descent, said "Tāmaki Makaurau is more than a city. It's a heartbeat."
"A place where mana whenua and urban Māori rise together. Where our struggles are real - but so is our strength.
"Tō reo. Tō tāua anamata. Kia matike tahi tātou.
"I see you. I hear you. I am you. We are the movement."
Kaipara, currently working as NZ Olympic's Pouwhiringa Māori culture lead, told RNZ she'd long watched parliamentary politics play out, but putting herself forward for selection was the first time she was getting involved.
She said she was responding to the call from her community, including that of Hoani Waititi Marae based in west Auckland where she was a former student, and standing alongside the current Te Pāti Māori MPs.
Kaipara grew up in West Auckland, but the Bay of Plenty is home, with her father from Te Teko and her mother from Kawerau. She is a mother and a grandmother.
She's remained connected to Hoani Waititi particularly through performing with Ngā Tumanako at Te Matatini.
She left Newshub at the beginning of last year to take up the role at NZ Olympics, where she helped launch the first Olympic glossary featuring Māori words to encourage te reo use during the 2024 games.
Kaipara was believed to be the first to present a mainstream news bulletin with a moko kauae, when she did so for 1News' Midday bulletin] in 2019, before later reading for the 6 o'clock news on Newshub.
She was applauded but also spoke out about the backlash she received.
Kaipara also spoke out against the use of her image without her knowledge or consent that was being sold online.
Kaipara acknowledged the passing of Kemp, and her contribution as the Tāmaki Makaurau MP, indicating she didn't want to say more until the vote had taken place and she'd confirmed the mandate.
No other candidates had put their names forward publicly at this stage to be selected for Te Pāti Māori, but had until Wednesday to submit an expression of interest. RNZ understands other candidates are also seeking selection.
The vote will take place on Thursday, and the Te Pāti Māori candidate will be announced Friday.
The Prime Minister is yet to announce the date for a by-election to fill the seat.
Labour's Peeni Henare, who lost the seat by a slim margin in 2023, has yet to confirm whether he will stand or not.
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