Pacific representation in focus as parties gear up for 2026 election

With the 2026 election on the horizon, Pacific communities are shaping up to be a key battleground.

The Greens’ first Pacific MP, Teanau Tuiono, says discussions are underway to bring more Pacific voices onto the party list.

Labour and National have also pitched their plans to address the issues that matter most to Pacific families.

In an interview with William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Tuiono says the Greens are considering more Pasifika candidates as the party finalises its 2026 list.

“The list hasn't been announced yet, so I can't say that but what I can say is we have been talking to Pasifika candidates, and I'll leave it at that,” Tuiono says.

His comments come as new polls place the Greens in a tight race for third or fourth, with Labour leading on 35 per cent and National on 31.9 per cent, according to the latest RNZ-Reid Research poll.

Listen to Teanau Tuiono's full interview below.

Tuiono says the Greens are treating their current 9,6 per cent support as a starting point. “The Government isn't doing enough and people are not enamoured with the Prime Minister.

“When I listened to the Prime Minister's statement, there wasn't much substance to it. In fact, it looked like some of the National Party backbenchers were nodding off.”

Meanwhile, Pacific Peoples Minister Dr Shane Reti has highlighted the government’s work on the economy and housing as key gains for Pacific families.

Watch Dr Shane Reti's full interview below.

“Pacific Peoples are very influenced by the economy and cost of living as well so as we continue to tame inflation and bring those interest rates down, as we continue to have tax relief available to people, we want to see better addressing of the cost of living because that really, really touches people,” Reti tells Terite.

“So Pacific Peoples will see benefits from the economy and from the cost of living.”

He says housing remains a focus for the ministry this year, with plans for around 300 new homes in Porirua and the rollout of about 400 TOLOA scholarships for Pacific students pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Watch Tangi Utikere's full interview below.

Labour MP, Tangi Utikere says Pacific communities are still waiting to see tangible improvements from the National-led government, particularly in health.

“On our first day, this is a government that actually, the Prime Minister yesterday didn't talk much about health because they don't see it as a priority,” Utikere says.

He says Labour wants Pacific voters to judge whether the government has delivered for their communities.

“Our focus is on engaging with the communities who are actually really looking for change,” Utikere says. “They really want to see a government that's going to make a real difference for people's lives.

“The caucus is totally united. We are focused on one thing, and that is ensuring that this is a one-term national government.”