Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris has confirmed he will recontest the Māori electorate seat as an independent candidate.

Ferris - alongside Mariameno Kapa-Kingi - was ousted from Te Pāti Māori in 2025 following a period of internal conflict and a public falling out with the party's leadership.

In a social media video released on Sunday, Ferris announced his candidacy and said the past 10 months of independence had "tested us".

"But they have also shown us the strength and resilience of those who place their trust in me, and for that I remain deeply grateful.

"Through turbulent waters, it has been our values that have been the compass in this pursuit." he said.

Ferris said being elected as an independent would give Te Tai Tonga an opportunity to "take the voice of the people directly into Parliament".

"A voice uncompromised by party politics, accountable only to the people of Te Tai Tonga, a voice to advocate for Te Tai Tonga-centric solutions and leverage better outcomes for our people from any government."

Ferris said independence did not mean "standing alone".

"It means being free to stand with our people. Ultimately, our aspirations require Te Tai Tonga solutions [and] that must be underpinned by strong kaupapa."

Ferris laid out three kaupapa he said would be at the "forefront" of his campaign, Te Tiriti, Te Tangata, Te Taiao; protecting and enhancing He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti in decision making, developing and growing the potential of Māori and protecting te taiao.

"We are a numerical inevitability and it is time we stood in that power, the power of our collective voice and recognised the opportunity that is before us . An opportunity to carry a mandate into Parliament that is accountable only to the people of Te Tai Tonga. That is why I stand as an independent, to carry your voice, your aspirations and your mandate straight into Parliament.

"To work with anyone who is willing to work for our people and to remain a strong and unwavering voice for te iwi Māori. This campaign is not mine alone. It doesn't belong to a party. It belongs to the people of Te Tai Tonga." he said.

Ferris won the seat in 2023 with 12,828 votes, beating out Labour's Rino Tirikatene by more than 2000 votes.