Hon. Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke

Opening Address

About this kaikōrero

Hon. Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Te Atiawa, Waikato) is a Member of Parliament for the Hauraki-Waikato electorate representing Te Pāti Māori. Elected in 2023 at just 21 years old, she became the youngest MP elected to the New Zealand Parliament in more than 170 years.

Of Waikato, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Te Āti Awa and Ngāi Tahu descent, Hana-Rawhiti is recognised for her strong advocacy for rangatahi, te reo Māori, environmental protection, and Māori rights. Before entering Parliament, she gained national attention through her work promoting maramataka Māori and published a book on the Māori lunar calendar while still a teenager.

Since entering Parliament, she has become one of the most visible young Indigenous political voices internationally, known for her passionate speeches and commitment to kaupapa Māori and tino rangatiratanga. In 2024 she received the One Young World Politician of the Year Award and was later named in the BBC 100 Women list.