Summarised by Centrist
National has selected Rangitīkei District Councillor Coral Raukawa as its candidate for Te Tai Hauāuru at the 2026 election.
Raukawa was born and raised in Marton and whakapapa links her to Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Tamakopiri, Taumaupoko, Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Kahungunu.
National says she has spent the past 12 years working across Whanganui, Taranaki, Rangitīkei and Palmerston North, focused on placing rangatahi into education, training or employment.
Raukawa said she was honoured to be selected and wanted to take National’s message to whānau from Ōtaki to Porirua.
The party’s release leaned heavily on its core 2026 campaign themes, including the economy, law and order, education and health.
Raukawa said National’s economic management had slowed price rises, flattened mortgage repayments and rents, and helped create “220,000 more jobs projected, higher wages, and lower taxes.”
She also pointed to National’s claim that ram raids have fallen by 85% and that there are 46,000 fewer victims of violent crime.
On education, Raukawa said Māori new entrant reading results had improved, with 40% now performing at or above standard, up from 25%.
The Māori electorate is currently held by Te Pāti Māori.
