With Māori unemployment climbing to its highest level in more than a decade, Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi says the upcoming general election represents a critical opportunity for Māori to strengthen their political voice and push for structural change. As Te Pāti Māori campaigns ahead of the election, one of its central constitutional proposals is to make Waitangi Tribunal recommendations binding on the Government. Currently, most Waitangi Tribunal findings are recommendations rather than legally enforceable decisions, with governments retaining discretion over whether to implement them. As campaigning gathers pace, Te Pāti Māori is positioning itself as an advocate for constitutional change alongside practical action to address economic inequities affecting Māori communities. For Waititi, rising unemployment and persistent disparities reinforce the importance of ensuring Māori representation remains central to national decision-making.