The Whakaata Māori–Curia poll of 500 Māori aged 18–29 recorded Labour on 27 per cent party-vote support. The Green Party recorded 18 per cent, followed by Te Pāti Māori on 11 per cent, National on 8 per cent, NZ First on 7 per cent and ACT on 6 per cent. Nine per cent were unsure and 2 per cent declined to name a party.

When asked which MP or candidate best understood the issues facing young people, Chlöe Swarbrick recorded 14 per cent and Rawiri Waititi 13 per cent. Chris Hipkins recorded 10 per cent, followed by Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke on 7 per cent. Winston Peters and Tamatha Paul each recorded 6 per cent, while Chris Luxon, David Seymour, Marama Davidson and Mariameno Kapa-Kingi each recorded 4 per cent.

Tākuta Ferris and Hayley Maxwell were each named by 2 per cent of respondents, while Te Pūoho Katene, Tania Waikato, Qiulae Wong, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Mananui Ramsden were each on 1 per cent. Three per cent named someone else, and 17 per cent were either unsure or refused to name an MP or candidate.

When asked about the most important issue for young people that could affect their vote, 39 per cent of respondents selected the cost of living.  Sixteen per cent identified jobs as the most important issue and 10 per cent identified housing and homelessness. Mental health and Te Tiriti o Waitangi were each selected by 7 per cent, with health identified by 6 per cent of respondents. The cost of tertiary education and the environment were each on 4 per cent. Three per cent named another issue and a further 3 per cent were unsure.

In a separate question that asked about the biggest cost-of-living pressure facing young people, 36 per cent identified groceries and food, followed by rent or housing costs on 32 per cent. Transport costs were selected by 12 per cent of respondents with 7 per cent identifying power and other household bills. Student debt and education costs were identified by 4 per cent, another 4 per cent selected another pressure and 5 per cent were unsure.

More than half (54 per cent) of respondents reported they had found it difficult to find a job in the past 12 months. Twenty seven per cent said they had not and 13 per cent reported they had not looked for a job. Six per cent were unsure.

Other findings included:

• Seventy-three per cent of respondents said the next Government should give te reo Māori greater priority and increase support: 35 per cent wanted it made a major priority with significantly increased support, while 38 per cent wanted it made a priority with support increased somewhat. Eighteen per cent favoured maintaining the current level of priority and support, 3 per cent wanted reduced priority and support, and 7 per cent were unsure.

• Seventy-two per cent of respondents supported developing a written constitution with a role for Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Forty-five per cent said Te Tiriti should be central to it, while 26 per cent supported a constitution with its role clearly defined and agreed by all New Zealanders.

• Eighty-one per cent of respondents were very or somewhat concerned about the impact of climate change on their generation. Eight per cent were not very concerned, 5 per cent were not at all concerned and 6 per cent were unsure.

• Sixty four per cent of young Māori wanted to keep the ‘Fees Free’ policy, while 21 per cent said the policy should be replaced with a different form of support. Four per cent were in favour of scrapping the policy and 11 per cent were unsure.

• Fifty-eight per cent of respondents thought the Government was not doing enough to prepare rangatahi Māori for the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs, education and the future workforce. Eighteen per cent said it was doing enough, 13 per cent selected “somewhat” and 11 per cent were unsure.

The poll results will be put to candidates during the Whakaata Māori Anamata – Future Generations debate, to be moderated by Whatitiri Te Wake and broadcast live on Whakaata Māori and MĀORI+ at 7.00 pm on 27 October. It will also stream on the Te Ao Māori News app and its Facebook and YouTube channels.

The Whakaata Māori–Curia poll surveyed 500 Māori aged 18–29 in Aotearoa New Zealand. Polling took place between 15 and 22 October 2026, with 350 respondents participating by phone and 150 through an online panel. The results were rake weighted to reflect the overall Māori population aged 18–29 by gender, age, area and electoral roll. Allowing for unequal weights, the approximate maximum margin of error for the overall sample is ±4.5 percentage points at the 95 per cent confidence level. Margins of error are higher for subgroups. Percentages and combined results are rounded independently and may not total 100 per cent.

‍