'You can't make false promises': Q&A with Tamaki Makaurau candidates

Voting opened in the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election, called to replace Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp, who died in June.

Candidates Oriini Kaipara of Te Pāti Māori, Labour's Peeni Henare and Vision NZ's Hannah Tamaki were questioned on the issues most often raised by rangatahi in the electorate: youth homelessness, housing insecurity, and whether political promises translate into anything on the ground.

On housing, Henare pointed to legislation and resourcing for providers already working with young people in Auckland, while Kaipara argued for sustained investment in kaupapa Māori programmes that are already proving they work rather than new pilots that fade after a funding round.

Running through the answers was a shared caution about over-promising. In an electorate that has heard plenty of commitments, credibility is the scarce commodity, and the candidates were direct that voters will judge them on delivery rather than rhetoric.