2 publishers · first seen Thu, 29 Oct 2026 09:13 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 19:02 UTC
Seven political parties participated in TVNZ's Kaupapa Māori Debate, discussing Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the cost of living, gangs, healthcare, jobs, and the future of te reo Māori. Labour's Willie Jackson, National's Tama Potaka, ACT's Nicole McKee, Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson, NZ First's Shane Jones, Opportunity's Eden Skipper, and Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi took part. Shane Jones defended NZ First's plan to abolish the Waitangi Tribunal, calling it undemocratic after 50 years, while Jackson described the current government as 'the most anti-Māori government of my lifetime'.
Waititi said gangs were 'politically manufactured' due to state and church abuse, and Jackson denied Labour supported gangs. On cost of living, McKee rejected a publicly-owned supermarket, saying ACT 'don't support a Pak'n'Soviet', while Davidson backed breaking up the supermarket duopoly and building a public option. Waititi proposed a Māori-owned supermarket and food credit, and Jackson accused supermarkets of price gouging. Jones said 'we're going to mine' to create jobs, drawing criticism from Labour and the Greens.
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