Pera Paniora

Pera Paniora is a former Kaipara councillor known for her advocacy for Māori representation and rights within local government. She made history as Kaipara's first and only Te Moananui o Kaipara Māori ward councillor before the disestablishment of Māori wards in 2024. Paniora has been vocal about the treatment of women in public office and has held leadership roles within Māori organizations, including a senior position at Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua. In October 2023, she admitted to two charges of common assault related to an incident in Whangārei and is due for sentencing in November.