Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader Assumes Whip Role Amid Controversies

In a significant internal reshuffle, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, co-leader of Te Pāti Māori, has replaced Mariameno Kapa-Kingi as party whip. This transition, described by the Clerk of the House as “uncommon,” results in Kapa-Kingi facing a pay cut of $19,000. Ngarewa-Packer will maintain her current salary of $202,600 as co-leader, without any additional increase.

Party whips play a crucial role in parliamentary operations, responsible for tracking MPs’ attendance, casting votes on behalf of the party, resolving internal disputes, and managing leave for absences. The change, officially noted on the Parliament website, occurred on October 3, 2023. The timing coincides with heightened scrutiny of the party following a recent by-election victory.

Newly elected MP Oriini Kaipara secured a notable win over Labour’s Peeni Henare in the Tāmakimakaurau by-election, marking a significant political moment for Te Pāti Māori. Despite this success, the party has faced challenges, including controversial comments from MP Tākuta Ferris and tensions with the media.

When contacted by Newsroom regarding her removal from the whip position, Kapa-Kingi declined to comment on the matter. She stated, “I won’t be able to comment on it at this point. I’m sorry,” and suggested that Ngarewa-Packer might provide a statement on behalf of the party. In response to queries, Ngarewa-Packer indicated that the leadership change was intended to facilitate MPs’ work in their electorates as the party prepares for the upcoming 2026 election.

The co-leader emphasized that the caucus discussed the implications of Kapa-Kingi’s pay cut, noting the priority to replicate the electoral success achieved in Tāmakimakaurau and to work towards removing the current government. Ngarewa-Packer remarked that she has previously served as whip and described the arrangement as a norm within the party.

The Clerk of the House, David Wilson, characterized the assignment of the whip role to a party leader as uncommon but permissible. He elaborated that the House typically does not intervene in party internal matters, stating, “Where the whip and leader are the same person, obviously there are fewer people to exercise those powers.”

Te Pāti Māori, with only six MPs, comprises entirely of electorate representatives. Consequently, it is common for party members to be absent from Parliament during sitting days, focusing instead on their large electorates. Instances where only Kapa-Kingi or a few other MPs are present in Parliament highlight this dynamic, especially during the latter half of the sitting week.

As Ngarewa-Packer assumes the whip role, the party must navigate the challenges posed by both Ferris’ controversial remarks and the ongoing media scrutiny. During the Tāmakimakaurau campaign, Ferris made a statement on social media that was widely criticized as racist, prompting a strong response from Labour Party officials. Labour’s senior MP Willie Jackson condemned Ferris’ comments, stating they were racist in nature.

Although Te Pāti Māori issued an apology and instructed Ferris to retract his post, he later doubled down on his statements, causing further tension between the parties. Labour leader Chris Hipkins expressed concern over Ferris’ remarks and questioned the potential for collaboration between Labour and Te Pāti Māori in future governance scenarios.

Beyond social media controversies, the party has faced criticism regarding its media access policies during the by-election. Only select media outlets were granted access to specific campaign events, leading to confrontations with journalists. Ngarewa-Packer described some media interactions as “predatory,” alleging aggressive tactics used by reporters.

Despite the internal and external challenges, Ngarewa-Packer’s focus remains on preparing the party for the next election cycle. With Kaipara set to officially join the team once sworn in, the co-leaders have a critical period ahead to address the controversies while maintaining their electoral momentum.