Ikaroa-Rāwhiti is a vast Māori electorate that spans the entire eastern coast of the North Island, its name translating to "The Long Fish of the East." Stretching from the East Cape down through Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and the Wairarapa to the Hutt Valley, it encompasses a rich tapestry of iwi, predominantly Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Kahungunu. The electorate is defined by its rugged geography and strong primary industries, balancing isolated rural communities with urban centres like Gisborne and Masterton, all underpinned by deep-rooted tribal networks and marae-based community life. Politically, the seat has been a stronghold for the Labour Party since its formation in 1999, famously held by the late Parekura Horomia for over a decade. It was the site of significant political drama in 2023 when the incumbent Meka Whaitiri defected from Labour to Te Pāti Māori. However, voters did not follow her lead; Labour’s Cushla Tangaere-Manuel reclaimed the seat with a decisive victory in the 2023 general election, reaffirming the electorate's traditional loyalty to Labour. At the 2025 boundary review Ikaroa-Rāwhiti gained an area in Lower Hutt and its eastern bays area from Te Tai Tonga.