Tāmaki Makaurau by-election front-runners Oriini Kaipara (left) and Peeni Henare. Photo: YouTube / Newshub, RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Early voting has started for the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election, with voters given two weeks to get to the ballot box before polls close.
It is a two-horse race, with Labour and Te Pāti Māori clear frontrunners.
The seat was left empty after the death of Te Pāti Māori's Takutai Tarsh Kemp in June.
She had won it from Labour's Peeni Henare in the 2023 election by just 42 votes.
Henare, who held the seat for the previous nine years and returned to Parliament on Labour's list, is looking to win the seat back for the party.
His main competitor is broadcaster Oriini Kaipara, who is standing for Te Pāti Māori.
Vision New Zealand's Hannah Tamaki, New Zealand Loyal's Kelvyn Alp, and independent Sherry Lee Matene are also standing.
With Henare already in Parliament, a win would mean Labour could bring in another MP.
Next on the party list is Georgie Dansey, who unsuccessfully contested Hamilton East in the 2023 election after losing to National's Tama Potaka in Hamilton West in the by-election caused by the resignation of Gaurav Sharma.
Prominent figures in Te Pāti Māori initially criticised Labour's attempt to reclaim the seat, saying Henare winning would "take a seat away from Māori", but those complaints evaporated after Labour pointed out Dansey was of Ngāti Tūwharetoa.
People can enrol on any day up to and including voting day, but they cannot switch from the general roll to the Māori roll to vote in the by-election. Unlike in the general election, by-election votes are only for the electorate candidate, not for a party.
A total 54 voting places will be open for advance voting, with opening hours varying depending on the location. The number increases to 84 open from 9am to 7pm on election day.
Polling closes on Saturday, 6 September at 7pm.
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