Turia had quit both Parliament and the Labour Party in protest over the government's position in the foreshore and seabed controversy.

She contested the by-election as a member of the new Māori Party, which she played a leading role in establishing.

Perhaps due to the apparent inevitability of a win for Turia, only around 32% of Te Tai Hauauru voters cast ballots.

The Labour Party, of which Turia was originally a member (and which has traditionally dominated the Māori electorates) has called the by-election "a waste of time and money", and a "sideshow" although the by-election was required by Labour-supported waka-jumping law in force at the time.

[1] Labour nominated Errol Mason to contest the seat at the subsequent 2005 general election, losing to Turia.