Ngāpuhi Leaders Express Discontent Over Te Pāti Māori No-Show

A hui in Kaikohe on Sunday has drawn criticism from Ngāpuhi leaders regarding the absence of representatives from Te Pāti Māori. The hui follows the expulsion of Te Tai Tokerau MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Te Tai Tonga MP Tākutai Ferris from the party last week. Te Pāti Māori claimed that they had been advised by “multiple rangatira of Te Tai Tokerau” to refrain from attending “at this time.”

During an interview with RNZ’s Saturday Morning programme, Moana Tuwhare, the general manager of Te Rūnanga-ā-iwi o Ngāpuhi, expressed frustration over the lack of transparency regarding the opposition to Kapa-Kingi. “We don’t know who those people are,” Tuwhare stated, referring to the leaders who alleged Kapa-Kingi’s absence from events in the region. “It was a complete lie. We have seen her turn up time and time again to support kaupapa in Te Tai Tokerau.”

Tuwhare’s remarks highlight a growing discontent among Ngāpuhi regarding the leadership decisions within Te Pāti Māori. She remarked, “It’s hard to reconcile the fact that they’re called Te Pāti Māori but are refusing to turn up to hui Māori.” The perceived contradictions in party leadership and attendance have prompted concern among community leaders.

The general manager also pointed out that the recent events suggest deeper issues within the party’s hierarchy. “The way that this whole issue has played out has shown that there is a lack of constructive leadership,” she said. Tuwhare noted that existing processes appear to be inadequate based on the information available.

While Tuwhare did not assign blame solely to the Parliamentary leaders, she acknowledged that the decision-making processes seem unclear. “I just think there needs to be a reset,” she added. “It’ll be for certain people within the party to really state clearly who is responsible for which decisions, and how those decisions have come about.”

The hui in Kaikohe serves not only as a platform for community discussion but also as a reflection of the ongoing tension within Te Pāti Māori. Leaders like Tuwhare are calling for accountability and clarity in leadership to strengthen the party’s connection with the community it serves. As the situation unfolds, the implications for both the party and the Ngāpuhi community remain to be seen.