Te Pāti Māori Reorganizes Leadership Role Amid Controversy

Te Pāti Māori has undergone a significant internal leadership change, with co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer assuming the role of party whip from Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. This transition, described by David Wilson, Clerk of the House, as “uncommon,” was officially recorded on the Parliament website as having taken place on October 24, 2023. As a result of this change, Kapa-Kingi will face a pay cut of $19,000, while Ngarewa-Packer will retain her existing salary of $202,600 as co-leader.

Party whips play a crucial role in parliamentary functions, tracking MPs’ attendance, casting votes on behalf of their party, resolving caucus disputes, and granting leave for absences. The timing of this internal reshuffle coincides with heightened scrutiny of Te Pāti Māori, particularly after Oriini Kaipara secured a significant victory over Labour’s Peeni Henare in the recent Tāmaki Makaurau by-election.

The victory has been overshadowed by controversial remarks made by MP Tākuta Ferris, which drew sharp criticism from other political figures. Ferris, in response to a photo of Labour Party members campaigning for the Māori seat, made comments that were labeled as racist by senior Labour MP Willie Jackson. The situation escalated further when Ngarewa-Packer emphasized that Ferris’ views did not reflect the party’s stance and publicly urged him to retract his statement.

When contacted by Newsroom for comments on her departure as whip, Kapa-Kingi declined to elaborate, stating, “I won’t be able to comment on it at this point. I’m sorry.” She suggested that Ngarewa-Packer might be able to articulate the party’s position on the matter. In response, Ngarewa-Packer indicated that the swap was intended to facilitate MPs’ engagement in their extensive electorate responsibilities as they prepare for the upcoming 2026 elections.

Ngarewa-Packer acknowledged the implications of Kapa-Kingi’s pay cut but stressed that the caucus engaged in thorough discussions about the changes. “Our priority is to replicate the success we had in Tāmaki Makaurau, remove this government, and influence the next government,” she stated. She also noted that she had previously acted as whip and held the role during her initial years in Parliament, suggesting that such changes are not entirely unusual within the party.

Despite the procedural nature of this change, it raises questions about power dynamics within Te Pāti Māori, particularly as the party consists of only six MPs, all of whom are electorate representatives. The concentration of authority in one individual can lead to challenges in parliamentary attendance, especially given the large electorates that each member must cover. Historically, it is common for only a few Te Pāti Māori MPs to be present in Parliament during the latter part of the sitting week.

According to Wilson, while it is rare for a party leader or co-leader to also serve as whip, there is no rule against it. He stated, “The House generally doesn’t concern itself with the inner workings of parties.” This dual role allows for streamlined decision-making, but also concentrates responsibilities, which could impact party representation in crucial parliamentary committees.

As the party navigates these internal changes, it is also facing backlash over its media engagement strategies during the by-election. Reports indicate that only select media outlets were granted access to certain campaign events, leading to tensions between the party and journalists. Ngarewa-Packer publicly criticized what she termed “predatory media behavior,” citing instances of aggressive reporting tactics.

“Reporters pouncing out of bushes, hidden camera people, creating alarm in malls,” she wrote on social media, illustrating the contentious atmosphere surrounding the party’s public image. This incident further complicated the party’s narrative following Ferris’ comments, as the co-leaders have focused on addressing both internal and external challenges rather than celebrating their electoral success.

As the political landscape evolves, Te Pāti Māori is poised to address these issues while preparing for the upcoming election cycle. With Kaipara expected to officially join the party in Parliament shortly, the dynamics within Te Pāti Māori are likely to remain in the spotlight as they seek to define their platform and strategy moving forward.