May 03, 2023
No waka jumping penalty for Meka Whaitiri
Labour has decided to let Meka Whaitiri defect to Te Pāti Māori without enforcing the ‘waka-jumping’ legislation.
Acting Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Kelvin Davis announced this morning that they have redistributed the former Minister’s portfolios but they will be taking no further action against her to force her out of Parliament.
Meka Whaitiri has also written to the Speaker of the House, Adrian Rurawhe informing him of her resignation from Labour. The outcome of this may influence the outcome of whether or not she needs to vacate the House.
In the meanwhile, Whaitiri, remains the MP for Ikaroa Rāwhiti however by virtue of her winning the seat. Whaitiri who holds the seat by a majority of over 3,000 or 51% of votes. Labour took 64% of the Party votes.