Veteran politician Hone Harawira has ruled out an attempted return to Parliament after earlier suggesting he was considering standing in the Te Tai Tokerau electorate.
Harawira, who held the Te Tai Tokerau seat from 2005 to 2014, earlier told 1News he wasn't rule out standing as Te Pāti Māori's candidate but said it would only be at his wife's blessing.
Sitting MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi announced earlier this month she was splitting from Te Pāti Māori to form her own Te Tai Tokerau Party, after months of conflict with the party that included an expulsion the High Court ruled unlawful.
On Saturday night, Harawira issued a statement, ruling out standing as a candidate and instead endorsing Aperahama Edwards.
"After much reflection with my wife Hilda, and discussions with close friends and key people, including Aperahama Edwards, I have decided to not put my name forward for the candidacy for the Te Pāti Māori Te Tai Tokerau seat in the 2026 general election," Harawira said.
Edwards has worked in kaupapa Māori advocacy, iwi and hapū development, te reo revitalisation, ocean conservation, and strategic representation.
Edwards added the electorate needed representation that was "courageous, principled and grounded in the people".
“I am putting my name forward because our people need a voice that will stand firm for Te Tiriti, stay focused on the kaupapa that matter to Tai Tokerau, and provide stable, disciplined leadership for the future we leave to our mokopuna and generations to come.”
Labour's Willow-Jean Prime and the Greens' Hūhana Lyndon are also contesting the seat.
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