MP Ferris to stand alone in 2026 election

Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris will contest the 2026 election as an independent, he said on 23 August. Te Pāti Māori kicked him out last November. He said winning would let him represent the seat free of party politics. Because he has no party list spot — the backup that lets MPs return if they lose their seat — he must win outright to stay in Parliament.