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Te Ao Māori News
31 August 2026
Maiki Sherman and Julian Wilcox to
host
Whakaata Māori election debates
With elections around the corner, Whakaata Māori are
taking their General Election coverage, under the banner
Whakatau 2026, into hapori across the motu.
There will be live debates in all seven Māori
electorates, which will be co-moderated by the Hui host
Julian Wilcox and award-winning political journalist
Maiki Sherman, and will start airing from 29 September.
Each debate will be informed by independent quantitative
polling and electorate-specific research. This
evidence-led approach will help ensure candidates are
asked to account for how they will respond to the
aspirations, priorities and challenges identified by the
communities they seek to represent.
Some of the Whakatau 2026 programming has already begun,
with the podcast He Aha Te Whakatau hosted by Te Ao
Māori News Senior Political Reporter Māni Dunlop and
Senior News Producer Whatitiri Te Wake. The first three
episodes are out, with new ones fortnightly.
Whakaata Māori Kaiurungi Pāpāho Maria Barlow said
Whakatau 2026 reflects the organisation’s responsibility
to ensure Māori voices, priorities and aspirations
remain at the centre of the national political
conversation.
“Whakatau 2026 is about ensuring whānau can hear
directly from those seeking to represent them,
understand where they stand and make informed decisions
about the future.
“By taking our debates into the Māori electorates, we
are bringing the political conversation closer to the
communities whose lives will be shaped by the decisions
made after this election.
“We also want rangatahi to see themselves in our
coverage and recognise the influence they can have.
Their voices, experiences and aspirations matter, and
they have the power to shape what comes next.”
More Whakatau 2026 programming
Whakatau 2026 has more specials coming soon to Māori+
and Te Ao Māori News platforms and social pages.
Pre-Election Special - A retrospective examining
the Government’s term, its major decisions and their
effects on Māori communities and Aotearoa. Watch from 22
September.
Straight Up! - Janaye Henry brings seven
emerging political leaders into a series of engaging
conversations and challenges grounded in the lived
realities of rangatahi. Through real-life scenarios,
unexpected challenges and rapid decision-making
exercises, the series explores the values, priorities
and leadership approaches that could shape the future of
Aotearoa politics. Available from 14 September.
The Young Leaders’ Debate - Rangatahi Māori bring
their aspirations, lived realities and expectations into
the centre of the political conversation. The debate
will focus on the issues and decisions that matter to
young Māori voters and provide an opportunity to hear
how a new generation of political leaders would respond.
Watch from 27 October at 7:00pm.
Māori Leaders’ Debate with Te Ao with Moana -
Party leaders and Māori candidates standing in general
electorates discuss Māori aspirations and priorities
within the wider national political landscape. The
debate will be followed by a live He Aha Te Whakatau
analysis special. Watch from 28 October at 7:00pm.
Whakatau 2026 Election Night Special - The
Whakatau 2026 political team will provide comprehensive
live coverage as the election results unfold, supported
by reporters stationed across the motu. The special will
feature real-time results, candidate reactions, informed
commentary and analysis of what the emerging outcome
could mean for whānau, hapū, iwi and Aotearoa. Live from
7:00pm on Saturday 7 November.
Whakatau 2026 Post-Election Special -
Highlights from election night, interviews with
successful candidates and expert analysis examining what
the result means for Māori communities and the future
direction of Aotearoa. Watch at 5:00pm on Sunday 8
November.
Te Ao Māori News will support the wider Whakatau 2026
offering with daily reporting, breaking news and stories
from across the motu, ensuring Māori perspectives remain
at the centre of election coverage throughout the
campaign.
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