Key Takeaways:
- The High Court has temporarily reinstated Mariameno Kapa-Kingi as a party member, impacting the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Te Pāti Māori.
- The AGM was limited to receiving reports from the leadership and electorates, with no other matters addressed or resolved.
- The party has been experiencing turmoil, including the expulsion of two MPs, Tākuta Ferris and Kapa-Kingi.
- Party members and leaders have called for unity and an end to infighting, citing the need to focus on the party’s goals and the well-being of its constituents.
- The party is considering holding meetings around the country to hear from its constituents and find a pathway forward.
Introduction to the AGM
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Te Pāti Māori was held on Friday, with a limited agenda due to a High Court ruling that temporarily reinstated Mariameno Kapa-Kingi as a party member. The meeting was attended by party members, including Kapa-Kingi, who was expelled from the party earlier in the year. The AGM was limited to receiving reports from the leadership and electorates, with no other matters addressed or resolved. This decision was made to uphold the court ruling, which has significant implications for the party’s internal dynamics.
The Need for Unity
During the pōwhiri, a traditional Māori welcome ceremony, many speakers addressed the issue of disunity within the party. They spoke of the need to stop infighting and focus on the party’s goals and the well-being of its constituents. One speaker, Simmonds, expressed his sadness and frustration at the turmoil that had taken place within the party, citing the late Māori king’s call for unity in 2024. He acknowledged that the party was attacking its own members, including Kapa-Kingi, Tākuta Ferris, and Oriini Kaipara, and questioned who was responsible for the party’s current state. Simmonds challenged the party president and co-leaders to consider whether they were the right people to unite the party and its constituents.
A Call to Action
Simmonds called for the party to hold meetings around the country to hear from its constituents and find a pathway forward. He emphasized the need for unity and cooperation, citing the saying that Parliament was the house of lions, but questioning who the lion was that had attacked Kapa-Kingi, Ferris, and Kaipara. He acknowledged that everyone was responsible for the party’s current state and that there was no single person at fault. Simmonds expressed his support for the party’s co-leaders, but emphasized the need for them to listen to the people and work towards unity. He also questioned the decision to expel party members, citing the fact that the newest Te Pāti Māori MP had not agreed to the expulsion.
Response from the Co-Leader
Co-leader Rawiri Waititi responded to Simmonds’ comments, acknowledging the pain and frustration that many party members were feeling. He agreed that the party needed to come together and focus on its goals, rather than infighting. Waititi emphasized the need for everyone to work together, citing the fact that it wasn’t just the six MPs who were paddling the waka, but everyone who needed to pick up a paddle. He acknowledged the challenges that the party was facing, including the cost of living and homelessness, and emphasized the need to focus on the correct enemy, which was the government, rather than each other. Waititi called for party members to stop taking their grievances to social media and to speak to each other face-to-face.
A Pathway Forward
The meeting highlighted the need for Te Pāti Māori to find a pathway forward, one that prioritizes unity and cooperation. The party’s leadership is expected to address the media at the end of the AGM, and it is likely that they will outline a plan to move the party forward. The High Court ruling and the AGM have significant implications for the party’s internal dynamics, and it remains to be seen how the party will navigate these challenges. However, one thing is clear: the party needs to come together and focus on its goals, rather than infighting and division. By doing so, Te Pāti Māori can work towards a brighter future for its constituents and for the party as a whole.