Tania Waikato (she/her/ia) Waiariki

Kia ora, ko Tania Waikato tōku ingoa. He uri ahau nō Ngāti Awa, Tūwharetoa, Tūhoe, Te Whakatōhea me Ngāti Hine hoki. 

I am a Māmā, lawyer and kairongoā based in Tauranga with over 20 years' experience in civil litigation, Māori business, resource management, employment law and Te Tiriti ō Waitangi.

I first joined the Green party in 2012 when I was involved in defending our awa from consent applications that would have caused significant degradation. I returned to the party in 2025 amid growing concerns at the actions of the present government. This led to my public advocacy on many fronts against the Treaty Principles Bill, Regulatory Standards Bill, school lunches and removal of the obligation to give effect to Te Tiriti by school boards.

I believe everyone deserves the basic human dignity of having access to food, healthcare, housing, education and the protection te taiao, tangata and te Tiriti.