Maipi-Clarke has ancestry in Waikato,[4][5] Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Te Āti Awa, and Ngāi Tahu.

During the campaign, Maipi-Clarke was subject to multiple alleged home invasions, which Te Pāti Māori referred to as politically motivated.

[15] An elderly man alleged to be a well-known National Party campaigner was issued a trespass notice by police.

[16] In the 2023 general election held on 14 October, Maipi-Clarke unseated incumbent Labour MP Nanaia Mahuta by a margin of 2,911 votes.

[26] On 10 December 2024, Brownlee referred Maipi-Clarke along with Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and Labour MP Peeni Henare to the Privileges Committee for their involvement in the haka during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill.

[27] During her maiden speech in December 2023, Maipi-Clarke criticised the National-led coalition government, claiming that it had "attacked my whole world from every corner".

She identified health, the environment, water, land, natural resources and children as key areas of disagreement with the government.