Te Pāti Māori and Toitū Te Tiriti Part Ways

In a significant development, Toitū Te Tiriti, a grassroots movement that has been a prominent ally of Te Pāti Māori, has announced its decision to sever ties with the political party. This move comes after internal discussions within Toitū Te Tiriti, where leadership concerns and a perceived clash of values were cited as key reasons for the split. Spokesperson Eru Kapa-Kingi emphasized the need for the movement to maintain its independence and not function as a lobby group for any political party. He also criticized what he described as a “dictatorship model” within Te Pāti Māori and raised concerns about the party’s failure to adhere to its constitutional requirements, such as holding annual general meetings and national council hui.

Te Pāti Māori has strongly denied these allegations, asserting that all decisions are made transparently and in line with its constitution. The party has rejected claims of bullying and a “dictatorship model,” maintaining that its leadership style is inclusive and democratic.

 While the two entities have collaborated closely in the past, particularly during the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti protests in 2024, this separation underscores the complexities and challenges inherent in aligning grassroots movements with political parties.

More to come

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