Key Takeaways
- Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, an expelled MP, has filed for an interim injunction against Te Pāti Māori President John Tamihere.
- The urgent hearing is set to take place at Wellington’s High Court, just days before the party’s annual general meeting.
- The party has been experiencing weeks-long infighting, leading to the expulsion of Kapa-Kingi and another MP, Tākuta Ferris.
- Claims of toxicity and "dictatorship" style leadership have been made against the party, with some calling for the president to resign.
- The situation has led to intervention from iwi leaders and a petition for the president to step down.
Introduction to the Situation
The recent expulsion of Mariameno Kapa-Kingi from Te Pāti Māori has led to a flurry of activity, including the filing of an interim injunction against the party’s president, John Tamihere. The urgent hearing, set to take place at Wellington’s High Court, is a significant development in the ongoing saga within the party. Kapa-Kingi had previously stated that she would take court action to challenge her expulsion, and it appears that she is following through on this promise. The hearing is scheduled to take place just days before the party’s annual general meeting, which was set to decide whether to formalize the expulsions of Kapa-Kingi and another MP, Tākuta Ferris.
The Infighting Within the Party
The expulsion of Kapa-Kingi and Ferris is just one aspect of the weeks-long infighting that has been plaguing Te Pāti Māori. The party has been beset by claims of toxicity and "dictatorship" style leadership, with some members calling for the president to resign. The situation has become so dire that iwi leaders have attempted to intervene, and a petition has been circulated calling for the president to step down. The infighting has been simmering for some time, but it was the comments made by Kapa-Kingi’s son, Eru, that brought the situation to a head. Eru Kapa-Kingi, who is involved with the group Toitu Te Tiriti, stated that the party was being run in a "dictatorship" style, and that change was needed. When asked about her son’s comments, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi stated that "it’s time for change, is what I see. Change is good for us. I think, particularly now."
The Upcoming Annual General Meeting
The annual general meeting of Te Pāti Māori, scheduled to take place on Sunday, was set to be a pivotal moment in the party’s history. The meeting was to decide whether to formalize the expulsions of Kapa-Kingi and Ferris, and it is likely that the ongoing infighting would have been a major topic of discussion. However, with the interim injunction now in place, it is unclear how the meeting will proceed. The party’s council had been planning to make a decision on the expulsions, but it is possible that the court action will throw a spanner in the works. Regardless of the outcome, it is clear that the party is at a crossroads, and the decisions made in the coming days will have a significant impact on its future.
The Search for a Resolution
As the situation continues to unfold, it is unclear what the ultimate outcome will be. The interim injunction is just one part of the ongoing saga, and it is likely that there will be further developments in the coming days. The party’s leadership, including President John Tamihere, has yet to comment on the situation, and it is unclear how they will respond to the court action. Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, on the other hand, has made it clear that she is determined to challenge her expulsion and to bring about change within the party. As the situation continues to evolve, it is likely that there will be further twists and turns, and it remains to be seen how the party will ultimately resolve its differences. One thing is certain, however: the outcome of the interim injunction and the annual general meeting will have a significant impact on the future of Te Pāti Māori.
