Oriini Kaipara — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Serves as a Member of Parliament for Te Pāti Māori, representing Tāmaki Makaurau since September 2025.
Became the first person with a moko kauae facial tattoo to present mainstream television news in 2019, and the first to host a prime-time national news programme in 2021.
Had an extensive career as a broadcast journalist for almost two decades, working across Mai FM, TVNZ 1, Māori Television, and Three (Newshub).
Co-hosted Three's weekly political current affairs show 'Newshub Nation' and guest hosted 'The Project' and 'Cyberworld'.
Works as a translator and interpreter of Māori and English.
Trained at South Seas Film and Television School in 2002.

Biography

Oriini Kaipara is a New Zealand Member of Parliament for Te Pāti Māori, having won the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election in September 2025. She is widely recognized for her significant contributions to New Zealand media, particularly for being the first person with a moko kauae facial tattoo to present mainstream television news in 2019, and subsequently the first to host a prime-time national news programme in 2021.