Marginal battleground

Ikaroa-Rāwhiti

Māori electorate

—

days to election day

What it takes to flip this seat

Cushla Tangaere-Manuel won by 2,874 votes in 2023. Just 1,437 voters switching to Te Pāti Māori would have flipped Ikaroa-Rāwhiti.

In the news

Coverage naming Ikaroa-Rāwhiti or Cushla, from our tracked feeds.

The roster

The defender's record, and who's confirmed to challenge them in 2026.

Won Ikaroa-Rāwhiti by a majority of 2,874 in 2023, making it a marginal seat.

Cushla Tangaere-Manuel is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives for the Labour Party. She represents the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti electorate and was first elected at the 2023 general election. Prior to entering parliament, Tangaere-Manuel worked as a broadcaster for TVNZ and Whakaata Māori, and as a sports administrator.

Full MP profile

What Cushla has prioritised this term

Official roles, sourced from parliament.nz.

Spokesperson roles

Emergency Management
Forestry
Māori Economy
Sport and Recreation
Labour Whip

Select committees

Economic Development Science and Innovation
Officers of Parliament

Legislative activity this term

From Parliament's official bills record, as at 16 September 2026.

Members' bill in the ballot (1)

Fair Trading (Cancellation of Subscription Contracts) Amendment Bill

Written questions to Ministers this term

What is this, and why does it matter to you?

Any MP can put a written question to a Minister, demanding information on the record. The Minister must reply, usually within days. It costs nothing and needs no debate, which makes it the main day-to-day tool MPs use to hold the government to account between bills. It matters most for opposition MPs, who can't pass laws but can still force information into the open. Which Ministers an MP questions most, below, is a numbers-based picture of what they watch on your behalf, and it's worth comparing against what they say they prioritise.

1,160written questions asked since the 2023 election

Where it's gone, by Minister

Minister of Forestry

413

Minister for Tourism and Hospitality

280

Minister for Sport and Recreation

Battlegrounds map 2026 election

2023 result and margin: Electoral Commission. 2026 candidates are added only once officially confirmed — never assumed.

Read 5 recent questions & replies, in Cushla’s and the Minister’s own words

To the Minister of Forestry · 2026-09-07

"What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 31 August 2026, by title and date?"

Reply not yet due or not yet published.

To the Minister of Forestry · 2026-09-07

"What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 31 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?"

Reply not yet due or not yet published.

To the Minister for Sport and Recreation · 2026-09-07

"What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 31 August 2026, by title and date?"

Reply not yet due or not yet published.

To the Minister of Forestry · 2026-08-31

"What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 24 August 2026, by title and date?"

Reply: None.

To the Minister of Forestry · 2026-08-31

"What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 24 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?"

Reply: I refer the Member to the attached table. One title has been withheld under Speaker’s Ruling 199/6. Please note I also receive a portfolio Weekly Update.