Mariameno Kapa-Kingi Defends Electorate Budget Amid Overspending Claims

Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, a Member of Parliament for Te Tai Tokerau, has publicly rejected claims of “major overspending” regarding her electorate budget. The allegations, made by leadership from her own party, Te Pāti Māori, suggest that she could exceed her office budget by up to $133,000. Despite the serious nature of these charges, Kapa-Kingi insists her budget has never been overspent.

In an email sent late last Monday, party leaders raised concerns about Kapa-Kingi’s financial management and questioned the appropriateness of her hiring her son, Eru Kapa-Kingi, to work in her office. Kapa-Kingi addressed these issues in a social media post, stating she had taken time to formulate her response in light of the “unforgivable storm” created by mainstream media.

Kapa-Kingi clarified that her allocated budget was “adjusted” to accommodate additional staff required to support the late Takutai Tarsh Kemp, the MP for Tāmaki Makaurau. She explained, “She needed extra support to focus on her oranga [health] and the responsibility to hāpai [support] her electorate fell to me, as the closest MP to her rohe.”

She asserted that the adjustments made to her budget received prior approval from the leadership, stating, “The leadership approved the payment of the first tranche of the work, indicating the arrangements were suitable and sufficient.” Kapa-Kingi emphasized that payments were made without contest and that she continued with the arrangements as planned.

In addition, Kapa-Kingi noted that she took on extra administrative work as the Party Whip, a role typically funded by the “Central Party Budget” managed by party leaders. “I believed Te Pāti Māori leadership would support further budget reallocation to cover the requirements of this role they entrusted me with,” she said. Yet, she expressed disappointment that the leadership did not support these reallocations.

Fortunately, the Speaker of the House, who has final authority over budget matters, approved her adjustments and confirmed that no rules had been violated. “The leaders were well aware of this extra work and the approval made by the Speaker,” Kapa-Kingi stated. She expressed confusion as to why the budget reallocation was discussed publicly without proper context.

Despite the challenges she has faced, Kapa-Kingi remains committed to her constituents. “I want to say this clearly: I am here. I am still your MP. I continue to work for Te Tai Tokerau with the same passion and commitment that carried us through our first campaign together,” she affirmed.

Kapa-Kingi emphasized the importance of her work and the unity it brings to her electorate. “The path ahead is long, but our tupuna have shown us how to stand firm in the storm and move with dignity through the changing winds. My focus remains on the mahi that unites us and getting back to the real mahi on the ground.”

As the situation develops, Kapa-Kingi’s responses and the ongoing dialogue within Te Pāti Māori will be closely monitored by constituents and political observers alike.