Newshub Nation: Te Pāti Māori one of the world's most 'successful indigenous parties' - Lara Greaves

A political commentator says Te Pāti Māori has become one of the most "successful indigenous parties in the world".

It comes after the special vote results were released on Friday, with Te Pāti Māori having gained two more seats in Parliament.

They now have six MPs in total - the party's best election result ever.

That has caused the size of Parliament to increase to 122 seats, and the Port Waikato by-election to be held in the coming weeks will further bump it up to 123 seats.

National also now needs the support of both ACT and New Zealand First to form a Government.

Political commentator and political science lecturer Dr Lara Greaves told Newshub Nation Te Pāti Māori has picked up serious momentum.

"We do have one of the most successful indigenous parties in the world, with Te Pāti Māori," she said.

"I'm sure indigenous groups around the world will be watching Te Pāti Māori and what they've done here."

She said 2023's Te Pāti Māori is completely different to the Māori Party of past elections.

"They're on an upwards trajectory".

Te Pāti Māori snatched six electorates off the Labour Party, including the Hauraki-Waikato seat won by Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke. She became the country's youngest-ever MP and ousted Labour's Nanaia Mahuta.

One reason for their rise could be because "they are quite [focused on] rangatahi", Dr Greaves said.

Takutai Tarsh Kemp won the seat of Tāmaki Makaurau by just four votes, ousting Labour's Peeni Henare.

A recount could be on the cards there, which would take one-three days.

But Dr Greaves said "we haven't had it confirmed totally that Peeni Henare is going to go for that".

Outgoing Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on Friday: "I indicated to him [Henare] if he wants to call for a recount, he will have my full support to do that."

"We'll soon see what happens there," Dr Greaves said.

Watch the full interview above.

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