January 23, 2023
Ratana regrets Ardern resignation
Ratana official spokesperson and former Labour MP Mita Ririnui says New Zealanders must ask what they have done to drive Jacinda Arden out of office.
Ms Ardern makes her last public appearance at Ratana tomorrow, before handing the reins over to Chris Hipkins.
Mr Ririnui says while politicians expect attacks, Ms Ardern was subjected to an extraordinarily high level of hate emails and social media pressure.
“This is a resignation under pressure from a very, very popular, internationally popular prime minister and we’ve got to ask what have we done? Support her or not, what have we done to cause the situation, and I’m a bit sad about that,” he says.
Mr Ririnui says the resignation will overshadow to tomorrow’s hui, where political leaders are expected to spell out their plans for Māori over the year.