Ngāti Kahungunu chair optimistic on Te Pāti Māori unrest

Iwi Leaders are hopibng to quell the conflict with Te Pāti Māori. A powerful coalition of Māori leaders from the Iwi Chairs Forum has stepped in to mediate internal conflict within Te Pāti Māori, urging the party to refocus on key issues affecting Māori communities. Dale Husband sat down with Ngāti Kahungunu chair Bayden Barber for a korero. Ngāti Kahungunu chair Bayden Barber met with co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa Packer and Rawiri Waititi on Tuesday and was anticipating to meet with both sides ahead of what he hoped was a Marae Hui. “We’re always optimistic until told otherwise, but it was a very constructive meeting with Tākuta on Thursday, as was our meeting with the party leaders on Tuesday.” Said Barber. Barber told RNZ that he hoped there would not be a party split:

“If that happens, that’s not the outcome we’re looking for. We’re looking to reconcile everything. Reconciliation is the best outcome.

“Having a split totara log is only good for the fire. That whakataukī, the proverb, that’s been spoken of a number of times in these conversations.

“Twelve months out from an election, to have a party split, that’s going to be a tough challenge.”

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