New Zealand First signals support for stronger Te Puni Kōkiri and renewed Ngāpuhi settlement push

New Zealand First MP Shane Jones has signaled a robust commitment to the future of Te Puni Kōkiri, ruling out any plans to fold the Māori development agency into other government departments. Speaking to Waatea on Tuesday, September 15, Jones suggested that the agency should instead be strengthened, potentially taking on additional responsibilities currently managed by the Ministry of Justice. The move signals a clear intent to maintain and enhance standalone Māori public-sector institutions. Jones’ comments establish a distinct policy position for New Zealand First, particularly regarding the Waitangi Tribunal. While some political actors have proposed disestablishing the Tribunal or limiting its scope to historical claims, Jones indicated that his party does not share the entirety of the ACT party's stance. Instead of reducing the influence of Māori-led institutions, Jones proposed a consolidation of functions within Te Puni Kōkiri to ensure the agency remains an influential force across the government sector. A significant priority for the party heading into the 2026 election is a renewed focus on Te Tai Tokerau. Jones signaled a push for a settlement deal involving Ngāpuhi, one of the most complex and long-standing Treaty kaupapa in Aotearoa. While specific details of the proposed deal are yet to be finalized, the move highlights an ambition to address the representation and mandate challenges that have historically faced the North. This platform positions New Zealand First as a party seeking to refine, rather than dismantle, the Crown’s relationship with iwi and Māori communities. By advocating for a more robust Te Puni Kōkiri and a pathway forward for Ngāpuhi, the party is centering Māori development and Treaty resolution as key pillars of its political agenda. Jones emphasized that New Zealand First intends to bring its own specific Māori policy framework into future coalition negotiations.