Te Pāti Māori AGM Highlights Leadership Challenges and Unity

The annual general meeting (AGM) of **Te Pāti Māori** on February 4, 2024, showcased a blend of unity and discord within the party’s leadership. Despite unresolved issues surrounding the expulsion of **Mariameno Kapa-Kingi** and the party presidency, president **John Tamihere** described the day as a “magnificent” demonstration of the movement’s resilience.

During the AGM, held in Te Tai Tokerau, tensions surfaced as attendees questioned Tamihere’s leadership. One participant suggested that the leaders should “eat a humble kumara,” highlighting the need for introspection. Addressing the gathering, Tamihere asserted that he would consider stepping down only if there were substantial reasons relating to party policy, rather than personal grievances. He stated, “If it’s a reason that a few people don’t like me, that doesn’t cut the mustard.”

Kapa-Kingi’s reinstatement as a party member, following her earlier expulsion alongside former member **Tākuta Ferris**, prevented discussions on pivotal remits and resolutions at the AGM. These included the decisions regarding their expulsion and the ongoing debate about the party presidency. Tamihere indicated that these matters would be revisited in substantive hearings scheduled for February, coinciding with the Waitangi Day celebrations.

Trust emerged as a central theme during the discussions surrounding Kapa-Kingi’s return. Tamihere expressed concerns about the trust that had been “so badly broken” within the party, indicating that reconciling these issues would take time. Co-leader **Rawiri Waititi**, when asked about Kapa-Kingi’s presence, noted that it was encouraging to see everyone come together: “The AGM was about the people, and the people turned out today.”

Participants included prominent Māori leaders such as **Dame Naida Glavish** and **Taame Iti**, underscoring the significance of the event. **Debbie Ngarewa-Packer**, also a co-leader, emphasized the value of in-person engagement, stating, “We had up to nine hours with our people. Some of the busiest people in their marae turned up to make sure their movement heard them.”

Despite the challenges, Tamihere claimed that the AGM restored “confidence” among the party’s electorates, which he noted turned out in significant numbers. He emphasized that the leadership was not the issue, but rather the conduct of others. In response to critiques from attendees like **Ngira Simmonds**, Ngarewa-Packer highlighted a conversation after the meeting where Simmonds affirmed his confidence in the leadership.

The day’s discussions were intense, with moments of enthusiasm and dissent marked by cheers and boos. Some attendees expressed frustration about the inability to address key issues, leading to sentiments that the AGM might have been unproductive. **Hemi Piripi** from Te Tai Tokerau voiced these concerns, suggesting that divisions remain within the party, while urging for a collective effort to unify: “Everyone just needs to eat a humble kumara.”

In his address, Tamihere underscored the importance of discipline within the party, stating, “No MP is above the Party. No MP is below the Party. Without discipline – we descend into anarchy.” He dismissed concerns regarding potential negative impacts on the party’s performance in the upcoming **2026 election**, asserting that there is ample time to address internal issues.

As the day concluded, Ngarewa-Packer reiterated the significance of collective unity and purpose among party members, stating, “Their movement felt their absolute unity in going forward and taking this government out.” The AGM served not only as a platform for addressing grievances but also as an opportunity to reaffirm the party’s commitment to its members and their collective vision for the future.