By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy Reporting
Young Māori leader Elijah Pue is returning to the political arena to run for the Manawatū-Whanganui regional council.
He will stand as a Pāti Māori candidate for the Raki Māori (Māori North) seat at October’s local elections.
It’s his first bid for Horizons Regional Council, and his first time standing in a Māori ward, but Pue is no newcomer to local government.
Elected to a general ward in 2019, he served three years on Ruapehu District Council and later ran for mayor in a close-fought campaign. Though unsuccessful, the experience solidified his commitment to public service.
“I felt a bit ripped off that I didn’t get another go,” Pue admits.
“I stood only for mayor, to show my community I was all in. And I was. I put everything into that campaign. After a break, I’m back and I’m ready. Let’s get the mahi done.”
Pue, 31, says his absence from politics hasn’t meant time out from his community. Over the past three years, he’s continued working across iwi, health, education and whānau development.
He is currently chief executive of Te Mātuku, the Iwi-Māori Partnership Board representing iwi from Taumarunui to Whanganui in the health sector.
He serves on a number of trusts and boards, including regional tourism organisation Visit Ruapehu, and leads the regional kapa haka entity Te Kāhui Maunga, which hosted the biggest ever national Te Matatini competition in New Plymouth this year.
Pue believes the time is right to bring his experience back into local governance.
‘Real impact’
“Local government is the perfect springboard for positive change. It’s where real impact starts.”
The Raki Māori ward is the largest of the two Horizons Māori constituencies. It stretches from Ōhura near Taumarunui, across the Central Plateau and down to Feilding, encompassing communities like Whanganui and Pue’s hometown of Raetihi.
“This region raised me. It taught me to tie a fencing knot, press a bale of wool, dock lambs and kill a mutton.
“It trained me to chair countless hui and help lead local events, from shearing championships to calling Housie for fundraisers.
“Representing it again would be an honour.”
With Horizons’ core responsibilities in environmental management, Pue says he is determined to ensure Māori voices and kaupapa are central to decision-making.
‘Te Waiū o te Ika (Whangaehu River) and Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River) carry frameworks that offer environmental and climate change solutions.’
He is a trustee for both Ngāti Rangi and Ngā Tāngata Tiaki o Whanganui, giving him direct governance experience with the river settlement entities.
“The two major river catchments in this rohe – Te Waiū o te Ika (Whangaehu River) and Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River) – carry frameworks that offer environmental and climate change solutions.
“I bring understanding of how local government can work in genuine partnership with iwi. Horizons doesn’t fully understand these catchments yet. That’s not a criticism – it’s an opportunity.”
He says the pending overhaul of the Resource Management Act and diminishing references to Te Mana o te Wai make it even more critical that Māori values are reflected in council decisions.
“The government may try to sideline these frameworks, but I won’t. They’re not just for Māori – they’re for the health of our environment and the wellbeing of all our communities.”
Transport and equity
Pue highlights gaps in services across the Raki Māori ward, from transport to healthcare access.
“In Raetihi, we’ve got one kaumātua bus trip to Ohakune per week. There’s no regular link to Whanganui, and no wheelchair-accessible option. My own grandmother is wheelchair-bound – we have to rely on St John to get to medical appointments.”
He believes Horizons needs to rethink how public transport serves smaller, rural communities, and calls for more locally driven solutions.
“We need basic services. Ohakune’s nearest pharmacy and courthouse are in Taihape, so better transport means access to health and justice. These aren’t ‘nice-to-haves’ – they’re essentials.”
Pue says he understands central government’s desire to rein in council spending, build infrastructure and streamline services delivery, but disagrees with how that message was relayed.
“The government wants us to cut red tape and focus on the basics. That’s fair, but the way they’ve approached local government has been abrupt and often condescending.”
He supports exploring amalgamation or shared services between smaller councils where appropriate, but not at the cost of local representation.
“I’d hate to see local government go the way of health – centralised, Wellington-led, and stripped of regional voice. We’ve seen how that is playing out. I support efficiency, but not if it silences our communities.”
‘About bloody time’
Pue enters the race with the backing of sitting Raki Māori councillor Jim Edmonds, who is standing again.
“Standing was a hard decision because Koro Jim is very close whānau. But I stand with his blessing: ‘About bloody time,’ he said. His leadership has been selfless, grounded in his love for whānau, taiao and his mokopuna. It’s the kind of leadership I aspire to.”
Pue says his decision to stand as a Pāti Māori candidate follows 21 years of membership (he signed up during the 2004 seabed and foreshore hīkoi).
“I’ve had the privilege of working for Dame Tariana Turia in parliament and have been involved in the party for a number of years. Te Pāti Māori is a vehicle that will ensure the voices of tangata whenua are heard in all levels of decision-making power.”
Pue has a clear message to voters: use your voice.
“Vote. Do your research. Choose someone whose kaupapa aligns with your values. If you don’t vote, don’t complain.”
He points to the huge Māori mobilisation opposing government action like the Treaty Principles Bill, and says the same energy is needed at the ballot box.
“If we can mobilise for Toitū Te Tiriti, we can mobilise for local elections. Imagine the impact if every submitter and activist showed up to vote.”
Awa FM – Te Reo Irirangi o Whanganui
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