Oriini Kaipara is of Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, and Ngāti Rangitihi descent and is now the Te Pāti Māori MP for Tāmaki Makaurau, elected to Parliament in late 2025. Before politics, she made history in 2019 as the first person with a moko kauae to present mainstream television news — a powerful statement for te ao Māori on the national stage. A proud first graduate of the Māori language movement to enter Parliament, she is committed to advocating for rangatahi, wāhine, kaumātua, and our most vulnerable communities, bringing aroha, tikanga, and unapologetic Māori leadership into spaces where decisions with generational impact are made.