Nā Shakayla Andrews-Alapaki tēnei atikara.
Community advocate Teresa Butler has announced her candidacy for the Christchurch East electorate in the 2026 general election, representing the Green Party.
Standing outside Ngā Hau e Whā marae in Christchurch East, Butler said her decision to enter politics was driven by concern for her community and the direction of the current government.
“I see the destruction that this current government is doing to our whānau, our whenua, our Te Tiriti,” Butler said. “If it’s not me, then who? And if it’s not now, then when?”
KO TE RĀWHITI TE KĀINGA TIPU, TE KĀINGA ORA
Butler, who has lived and worked in the eastern suburbs for more than 25 years, has deep roots in the community. Her family connections include Rehua marae, where her father, Max Butler, is well known. She is also the daughter of a founder of the Kererū Sports and Cultural Club, Frances Butler who established the club to support rangatahi and keep them off the streets.
With more than two decades of experience in the health sector, Butler said issues such as housing, domestic violence and the rising cost of living are central to her campaign.
“We’ve got whānau here in the east who can’t afford to take their children to kura,” she said. “I see what people are going through, and I want to help bring their voices forward.”
Butler has strong ties to several marae, including Rehua and Ngā Hau e Whā, as well as Ngāi Tahu marae such as Tuahiwi and Rāpaki.
Her decision to run follows discussions with kaumātua and community members about how best to bring change.
HE WHAKAWHITINGA PĀTI TE MAHI
Butler recently switched parties, leaving Te Pāti Māori after being ranked 24 on its party list. She said the move came after a period of reflection.
“My heart was broken after the AGM,” she said. “Their values at that time didn’t align with mine. With the Green Party, they do.”
“I haven’t left our people,” Butler said. “I’m an option now in the east.”
As she enters the race, Butler said her focus is clear: to be a strong advocate for her community in Parliament.
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Kua puta te kōrero o Teresa Butler, ka tū ia hei kaitono mō te Pāti Kākāriki ki te Rāwhiti o Ōtautahi mō te pōtitanga 2026.
E tū ana a Butler i waho i te marae o Ngā Hau e Whā, ka mutu, ko tōna hāpori me ngā āhuatanga o tēnei kāwanatanga i toko ake te whakaaro kia whāia e Butler te huarahi tōrangapū.
“I see the destruction that this current government is doing to our whānau, our whenua, our Te Tiriti,” hei tā Butler. “If it’s not me, then who? And if it’s not now, then when?”
KO TE RĀWHITI TE KĀINGA TIPU, TE KĀINGA ORA
Koni atu i te 25 tau e tipu mai ana a Butler ki te rāwhiti me te hōhonu hoki o tōna hononga ki tōna hāpori. Ko ētahi hononga, ko te marae o Rehua mā roto i tōna pāpā, a Max Butler. ka mutu, ko tōna māmā tērā, a Frances Butler, i whakatūria ai te karapū kererū hei hāpai ake i te hunga rangatahi mai i ngā tiriti.
Ko tōna 20 tau a Butler hei kaimahi hauora. Ko ōna aronga mō tēnei terenga ko te hanga whare, te whakarereke-ā-whare me te utu noho.
“we’ve got whānau here in the east who can’t afford to take their children to kura,” hei tāna. “i see what people are going through, and i want to help bring their voices forward.”
He hononga tāngaengae ki ngā marae maha o Waitaha, pēnei i a Rehua me Ngā Hau e Whā. Ka mutu, ko ngā marae Ngāi Tahu pēnei i a Tuahiwi me Rāpaki.
Nāna i whakatau ai hei kaitono pāremata whai muri i te wānanga tahi ki ngā kaumātua me ngā mema o te hāpori.
HE WHAKAWHITINGA PĀTI TE MAHI
Kua whakawhiti mai a Butler mai i Te Pāti Māori ki Te Pāti Kākāriki, ā, i noho ia ki te tūranga 24 i te rārangi ingoa o te pāti. Nāna te kī i puta ai tōna whakatau i a ia e whakaata ana mō te pāti rā.
“My heart was broken after the AGM,” e ai ki a Butler . “Their values at that time didn’t align with mine. With the Green Party, they do.”
“I haven’t left our people,” ko tāna. “I’m an option now in the east.”
E uru ana a Butler i te reihi motuhake, heoi, kōtahi te aronga kei te tihi o ōna whakaaro. Hei waha papā mō tōna hapori ki te whare pāremata.