Te Pāti Māori Leaders End Media Conference Over Trust Issues

Co-leaders of Te Pāti Māori, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, abruptly terminated a media conference intended to mark the party’s reset, citing a breach of trust by reporters. The event aimed to discuss the party’s future direction following the appointment of new MP Oriini Kaipara. The decision to cut the conference short came after a reporter questioned the party’s leadership style in light of accusations from Eru Kapa-Kingi that it operated under a “dictatorship model.”

During the media stand-up, which took place on March 14, 2024, Ngarewa-Packer and Waititi expressed their disappointment over the questioning. Waititi explained, “Give us our time to celebrate Oriini coming into the House. When you break the trust of that, then we don’t have too much more to say.” Ngarewa-Packer emphasized the importance of respect in their interactions with the media, stating, “We’re here to talk to you about everything, but we’re not getting that respect back.”

The media conference was intended to focus on the party’s priorities for the upcoming year. Ngarewa-Packer refuted claims that Waititi had acted inappropriately by interrupting the conference, asserting, “He’s not pulling me aside, he’s protecting me.” She added that their relationship is based on mutual respect, and Waititi’s actions were in response to the pressures they faced.

The leadership duo also addressed the broader challenges affecting New Zealand, including the sharp decline in employment opportunities. Ngarewa-Packer noted that young people, such as her own son, are considering moving to Australia due to the lack of job prospects. “This is a personal thing for me,” she said. “He’s struggling to find mahi, and the quality of life that he thinks he and his partner should be having is not being met.”

In response to the economic challenges, Ngarewa-Packer highlighted the need for a shift in investment priorities, advocating for support towards small-to-medium-sized businesses in Aotearoa. Waititi reinforced this sentiment by referencing the party’s ‘Whānau First’ policy, which aims to ensure that 25 percent of government procurements benefit Māori contractors. “Unfortunately, our people and our contractors are not getting those jobs,” he noted.

As New Zealand prepares for the upcoming elections, the co-leaders discussed their willingness to collaborate with opposition parties. Ngarewa-Packer stated, “We’ve had some really healthy discussions with Te Pāti Kākāriki [Green Party], we’ve met a few times with Labour and we’ve talked about our common ground.” Despite previous tensions with Labour, they remain focused on uniting to challenge the current coalition government.

Waititi acknowledged the complexities of their political landscape but emphasized the importance of moving forward rather than dwelling on past grievances. He stated, “If we go back to the foreshore and seabed, that’s the reason why we’re here as Te Pāti Māori. We’ve moved on down the track and found that there are some commonalities there.”

The leaders also addressed internal party matters, clarifying that former party whip Mariameno Kapa-Kingi was reassigned rather than demoted following the passing of fellow party member Natasha Kemp. Waititi affirmed Kapa-Kingi’s commitment to advocating for Māori interests, stating, “She has been the strongest advocate for mokopuna Māori in this house.”

The full interview with Ngarewa-Packer and Waititi can be accessed on the RNZ website, where they continue to engage with the public and media regarding their party’s vision and priorities.