Israel’s Māori charm offensive draws scrutiny over unanswered questions
September 12, 2026
Summarised by Centrist
The Israeli Government reportedly paid to host Māori leaders, including at least one elected representative, on a trip sold as “business and innovation”. But its embassy’s own explanation suggests the broader purpose was to shape how influential Māori see Israel.
New Zealand’s foreign ministry was told only after the visit was already underway.
Former delegate Riki Manarangi said Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised and funded the latest visit.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs over there are the ones who organise and fund it,” he said. Israel covered “transport, accommodation, and kai”, although it remains unclear whether international flights were included.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade had no involvement. It learned the Israeli Government was “hosting” the group only “once the visit was underway”.
The embassy said delegates could “see the country for themselves, rather than relying solely on the picture presented through the media”.
The embassy said delegates met Jewish, Arab, Druze and Bedouin Israelis and were free to “make up their own minds”. It would not identify the officials and organisations they met, explain how delegates were selected or say whether Palestinians or Palestinian organisations were included.
The New Zealand Israel Innovation Hub called the tour a “tremendous success” yet declined to confirm its involvement, based on social-media posts. It said the visit had already inspired plans for three more Māori delegations in 2027.
Northland Regional Council chair Pita Tipene attended, without council funding or endorsement. From near Gaza, he wrote that the destruction was “horrible and gut-wrenching” and insisted: “I am not pro-Israel. I am pro-peace and humanity.”
Some invited Māori leaders declined because of the funding, political context and uncertainty over whether Palestinians would be heard.
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