May 09, 2023
Time for Meka Whaitiri to speak her truth
Meka Whaitiri says it’s time to close one chapter and enter the waka that allows her to speak her truth.
The MP for Ikaroa Rāwhiti fronted the media pack as she headed into the debating chamber at Parliament on Tuesday. It’s the first time she’s been in the House since she announced her departure from the Labour Government to join Te Pāti Māori.
Meka Whaitiri says, joining Te Pāti Māori feels like freedom.
“I have joined a Party that enables the voice of wāhine Māori to be heard and (a party) that allows our people to celebrate being unashamedly Māori.” says Meka Whaitiri.
Te Pāti Māori co-leaders, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, were asked to leave the House by Speaker Adrian Rurawhe, but only after they completed the whakawaatea to clear the way for Meka Whaitiri to cross from the Government benches to the opposition side.
They say they had gained support from Party Leaders to perform the whakawaatea, but Speaker Adrian Rurawhe subsequently refuted this.
Meka Whaitiri carried the proxy vote for Te Pāti Māori and delivered their pātai during question time.