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Te Pati Maori held a National Council hui yesterday and, in a statement to Waatea has said “last night the National Council unanimously decided that Takuta Ferris and Mariameno Kapa Kingi were in breach of the Constitution and therefore decided that the appropriate action is the immediate removal of their membership from Te Pāti Māori”
Meanwhile(now) suspended MP Takuta Ferris has said “There will be a time to kōrero and speak my truth, however, at this time, I am paying respects to our beloved matriarch of Te Tau Ihu, Nanny Tiro. As is right and proper under tikanga, my focus remains with her whānau, hapū, and iwi as we honour her life and legacy. I ask that this be respected – tikanga prevails in this situation.”
More to come
In a statement Te Pati Maori has said:
Te Pāti Māori’s National Council has resolved to expel Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Takuta Ferris for breaches of Kawa (the Party’s constitution). The decision takes effect immediately.
The Party is refocused on uniting to make this a one-term Government
The decision follows a rigorous six-week process involving extensive debate across electorates and branches, engagement with members beyond the Party, kōrero with the Iwi Chairs Forum and other rangatira, and external mediation.
“This was a rigorous six-week process” said Co-leader Rawiri Waititi.
“Electorates and branches debated at length; we met with members beyond our Party; we engaged with the Iwi Chairs Forum and other rangatira; and we pursued external mediation. Irreconcilable differences remained.”
“Leadership requires hard calls for the collective good, and we have acted to uphold our Kawa and protect our movement” Waititi said.
“Our people have felt real mamae through this,” said Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.
“This issue should never have played out in public, especially while our communities face relentless attacks from the Government. Tonight, we reset our focus on what matters most: our whānau, our whenua, our reo, our rangatiratanga, and building the mandate to change this Government in 2026.”
The Co-Leaders reaffirmed the Party’s strategic direction and unity:
Discipline, structure, fortitude, and unity will guide the movement through to the 2026 General Election.
Te Pāti Māori has begun constructive conversations with the Labour Party and the Green Party, reflecting what communities are calling for: a government led by the three parties.
This week marks one year since Te Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti, when tangata whenua, tangata Tiriti, and tangata Moana stood together and stopped the Treaty Principles Bill a reminder of the power of unity and purpose.
“Our job is to make this a one-term Government,” the Co-leaders said in a joint statement.
“We will not allow anyone inside this waka to sabotage the work and sacrifice of so many. Our responsibility and our future are in our hands. We steady the waka now and move forward together.”
To restore focus on the Party’s kaupapa, Te Pāti Māori will not comment further on this internal matter.
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