Te Pāti Māori has moved to suspend MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi as well as a push to “reset” the executive of her Te Tai Tokerau electorate committee.
It comes after months of bad blood amongst the party after allegations were made by the MP’s son, former party executive Eru Kapa-Kingi, of a “dictatorship model” from the party leadership.
In a meeting last Thursday evening, Te Pāti Māori put forward four motions to its national executive, including the suspension of the Te Tai Tokerau MP.
Motion 1 was that the Te Tai Tokerau Electorate Executive be “reset” by way of a Special General Meeting. Minutes state this was on the basis that “the Electorate Executive is no longer functioning in accordance with Party requirements and the Kawa”.
Motion 2 claimed the Te Tai Tokerau MP had “seriously breached” the Te Pāti Māori Kawa, or constitution.
Motion 3 was to suspended Mariameno Kapa-Kingi as MP for Te Tai Tokerau.
Motion 4 was that the party’s National Executive develop and recommend the “most appropriate process to implement the suspension” of the Te Tai Tokerau MP and to report back to the National Council.
Eru Kapa-Kingi last week accused TMP of a “dictatorship model” – now the party has hit back against him and his mother, their own MP Mariameno Kapa-King. (Source: 1News)
In a statement to 1News, Kiri Tamihere-Waititi, the general manager of Te Pāti Māori, said the matter was with the party’s national council and remained “an internal Party process”.
“All proceedings are guided by our Kawa (constitution) which was developed by the founders of our movement. We await the outcome of the Council’s proceedings and findings,” Tamihere-Waititi said.
“No further comment will be made while these processes are underway.”
‘So-called suspension has no mana’ — Mariameno Kapa-Kingi
Speaking with 1News on Monday evening, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi said she was disappointed but resolute.
“It’s a real disappointment,” she said.
“They continue to prove the point of dysfunction.”
The MP claimed the Te Tai Tokerau electorate committee was not invited to attend Thursday’s meeting and had not been afforded a right of reply.
“As far as I’m concerned, this so-called suspension, it has no mana (authority).”
‘Inaccuracies and mischaracterisations’
1News has seen a letter from the Te Tai Tokerau Executive sent to the party’s National Executive “rejecting in full the validity” of the four resolutions passed at last week’s meeting.
The Te Tai Tokerau letter states that the allegation the electorate branch had “ceased to perform its duties” was “false and without basis”.
“We also note inaccuracies and mischaracterisations within the minutes themselves.”
According to the minutes of the Thursday meeting held by the National Council, Te Tai Tonga was the only electorate to have abstained from voting on the motions.
1News has obtained a copy of a letter said to have been sent by the Te Tai Tonga electorate to regional representatives and branches of Te Pāti Māori following Thursday’s controversial meeting.
“These actions were taken outside the scope of constitutional authority, absent due process, and without the collective mandate required under the Te Pāti Māori Tikanga and Constitution,” it read.
“Te Tai Tonga does not recognise or endorse any resolutions passed at that hui.”
The electorate branch said the actions had “fractured the movement” and “diminished the mana of Te Pāti Māori”.
It pointed the finger at Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere.
“Accordingly, Te Tai Tonga calls for an immediate vote of no confidence in the Party President and the National Executive.”
The chairperson of the Te Tai Tonga electorate, Merita Waitoa-Paki, was contacted by 1News but she declined to comment.
Over the weekend, newly elected MP for Tāmaki Makaurau, Oriini Kaipara, posted a message of support for Mariameno Kapa-Kingi.
“She is a pou of Te Pāti Māori and for me, being the newest member to our waka, I see her, I believe her and in her, I support her.”
Mariameno Kapa-Kingi told 1News she would continue her Parliamentary work.
“I’m turning up to the House to do my job as per usual.”
