The Mahia electorate was created in 1996 for the first MMP election. Located on the East Cape, it existed for one term only.

The 1996 election was notable for the significant change of electorate boundaries, based on the provisions of the Electoral Act 1993.^[1] Because of the introduction of the mixed-member proportional (MMP) electoral system, the number of electorates had to be reduced, leading to significant changes. More than half of the electorates contested in 1996 were newly constituted, and most of the remainder had seen significant boundary changes. In total, 73 electorates were abolished, 29 electorates were newly created (including Mahia), and 10 electorates were recreated, giving a net loss of 34 electorates.

Mahia comprised all of the Gisborne electorate and parts of Eastern Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Waikaremoana and Wairarapa electorates.

Mahia only existed as such for one term and was represented by Labour MP Janet Mackey, who had previously represented Gisborne. For the 1999 election the electorate's boundaries were redrawn as East Coast, which Janet Mackey contested and won in 1999 and in the 2002 election until retiring at the 2005 election.