In the final hours before the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election, Te Pāti Māori MP Tākuta Ferris has sparked controversy over comments questioning why non-Māori, including Pākehā, Black, Asian, and Pacific peoples, are campaigning for Labour in a Māori electorate.
Labour MP Willie Jackson praised Te Pāti Māori leadership for issuing an apology, but says Ferris needs to be accountable.
“We don’t apologize for using all our mates right across the board, because it’s not just about us, it’s about the party, it’s about Aotearoa. Doc, you made a real big mistake there. It was a silly thing to say, but apologies came, he should probably give an apology too, because it’s about, you know, they talk about an Aotearoa hou, and that’s what it’s all about,” says Jackson.
Jackson says such comments risk empowering the political right.
Voting closes tomorrow night.
