Keshaan Te Waaka makes history in Tararua local elections

Keshaan Te Waaka has been elected to the Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua Māori Ward of the Tararua District Council, becoming the youngest Pacific person to win office in the 2025 local body elections.

At just 21 years old, Te Waaka brings a fresh and determined voice to local government.

Of Māori, Tongan, and Croatian heritage, she ran under the campaign banner, Dream Big, and secured her seat with 335 votes.

Her election was confirmed on 16 October 2025, following the release of final results by the Tararua District Council.

Despite her win, the Māori ward referendum in Tararua saw voters choose to remove the Māori ward status in future elections, although the ward remains in effect for this term.

Of the 6952 who voted on the poll, 3517 voted to remove the Māori ward, while only 2957 voted to retain it.

Keshaan Te Waaka was a recipient of the REAP Wairarapa annual Tertiary Scholarship of $1000. Photo/Supplied

Te Waaka says her heritage shapes her commitment to representing diverse voices and bridging communities in rural Aotearoa.

During an earlier interview on Pacific Mornings, Te Waaka says youth deserve a seat at decision-making tables:

“I’ve always felt there weren’t many people to look up to in our small area … That’s had a huge influence on me standing.”

Watch Keshaan Te Waaka in an earlier interview on Pacific Mornings below.

Te Waaka, who grew up just outside Palmerston North, says she sees first-hand the challenges young people face in isolated communities, including limited job opportunities, social isolation, and an ongoing exodus of rangatahi to urban centres.

“Our voices are not heard … not many are Māori or Pasifika. And if they are, it’s often that we don’t hear the advocacy.”

Te Waaka acknowledges that some may question her youth and inexperience, but she argues that these are precisely the reasons she should serve - she understands a modern rural youth perspective.

“I’ve lived a completely different life from the people on the council. Rangatahi’s voice deserves to be heard as much as any other voice at the table.”

Looking ahead, her priorities include improving local employment and education opportunities for young people, and encouraging engagement in civic life, such as the Māori wards.