May 06, 2023
Brilliant contribution and regrettable outcome Te Pāti Kākāriki Co-Leader Marama Davidson
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and James Shaw have responded to the resignation of MP Dr Elizabeth Kerekere, who has quit the party. Notification of her resignation came during a hui-kōrero with members of the Green Party via zoom on Friday night.
An investigation was launched when Dr Kerekere mistakenly sent a disparaging comment about her caucus colleague Chloe Swarbrick to a roopu-karere, Party chat group.
” I regret and know this is hard on everyone, I want to say authentically, that all our MP’s this term have brought brilliance to the Green Party kaupapa, including Dr Elizabeth Kerekere, and I will always stand by that.” says Marama Davidson
“The end of the conversion therapy legislation petition that helped to drive that mandate for support.”
“I acknowledge all her communities that she is connected to.”
Co-Leader Marama Davidson says a tīkanga process was used to investigate the roopu-karere as well as other concerns raised by Party Staff members.
The resignation of Dr Kerekere comes 48 hours after that of Labour Government Minister Meka Whaitiri. The latter has not revealed details of her departure other than she’s returning to her whakapapa to run for Te Pāti Māori in the October election.
Dr Kerekere will be considered an independent MP. Te Pāti Kākāriki did not vote for “The Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill 2018” more commonly known as the Party hopping bill, so will not seek to have her expelled from Parliament.
Asked if Te Pāti Kākāriki and Parliament were safe places for wāhine Māori, Marama Davidson replied, “I stand here proudly as a kaupapa wahine Māori Green Party co-leader it has been in my most authentic moments as a Māori woman political leader, the moments we are most criticized and challenged for standing against white supremacy for standing against racism, that my MP colleagues, my parliamentary team our members have backed me 100% and we have a long record of taking those stances.”
Meka Whaitiri is expected to be seated next to Te Pāti Māori while Speaker of the House Adrian Rurawhe will discuss a suitable seating position with Dr Kerekere.