Veteran Māori activist Mike Smith is urging Te Pāti Māori and the Toitū te Tiriti group to move swiftly into the next phase of their political journey, saying now is not the time to stall or look backwards.
“There are always potholes along the road,” said Smith. “We try to avoid them, but sometimes we hit one. When that happens, we shouldn’t stop and drive back and forward over it. If you get a flat tyre, don’t keep driving on the rim—change the tyre and keep going. This is not about the potholes or the tyres. It’s about the journey and the destination—and most importantly, it’s about the whānau in the back seat.”
Smith said he’s encouraged to see Te Pāti Māori refocusing and repositioning as the year draws to a close.
“It’s good to see and hear that Te Pāti Māori is refocusing—it’s perfect timing to carry that energy into the new year. The kaupapa of Māori advancement is bigger than any single organisation. This is the moment to strengthen our collective resolve, not lose momentum.”
As part of this renewed push, Smith is calling for cross-party collaboration among Māori Members of Parliament from Te Pāti Māori, the Greens, and Labour, to deliver a solid, unified campaign agenda heading into next year’s elections.
“We need to start talking and working together now to shape a campaign platform that reflects the shared priorities of our people—tino rangatiratanga, justice, and a fair future for our mokopuna,” he said.
At the same time, Smith is calling on the Māori movement itself—including community organisations, hapū networks, and advocacy groups—to tighten its organisation and deliver a coherent, progressive development agenda capable of being enacted both inside and outside of government.
“Our strength lies not just in who we elect, but in how we organise. The movement must stay focused on building solutions—economic, social, and cultural—that can be delivered whether we’re in government or not. The next phase of our journey must be grounded in unity, discipline, and purpose.”
Smith emphasised that the political road ahead will not be smooth, but the focus must remain on the destination and the wellbeing of the whānau who depend on the movement’s leadership and courage.
“The road will always have bumps, but if we stay united and keep our eyes on the horizon, we’ll reach the destination our ancestors dreamed of. The most important thing is that we keep driving—together.”
Mike Smith
Veteran Activist and Climate Leader
Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu