Is the right-bloc’s refusal to stand candidates in every Māori electorate a lost opportunity? – Carmen Parahi

Opinion byCarmen ParahiNZ Herald·17 Sep, 2026 12:00 AM5 mins to readCarmen Parahi is the owner of Tō Waha Media consultancy, a commentator and award-winning journalist.Then Tauranga MP Winston Peters at National's headquarters in Wellington as party executives met in 1993 to decide his future as a candidate. He founded NZ First and retained the Tauranga seat in the general election later that year. Photo / Martin HunterNew Zealand First is campaigning to end the Māori electorates through a public referendum. But 30 years ago, leader Winston Peters chose a different, populist opportunity. It was 1996, the first MMP election. NZ First stood candidates in every Māori electorate and won them all. The clean sweep and 42.3%