“I say Bulkaka to that” : MPKaipara on Kapa-Kingi, Housing and Move-On Powers

Labour MP Oriini Kaipara says recent developments in Parliament and new public order powers highlight the growing pressures facing Māori communities, particularly around housing and representation.

Kaipara was responding to the departure from Parliament of fellow Labour MP Peeni Henare, a long-serving Māori leader who held several senior portfolios during his time in government.

Henare’s exit marks the end of a significant period of Māori leadership within Labour’s caucus. Kaipara says his contribution to kaupapa Māori issues and advocacy for whānau will be widely recognised, particularly in areas such as defence, community development and Māori wellbeing.

At the same time, Kaipara says recent political and legal developments continue to shape the wider landscape for Māori representation. She says the court decision reinstating Mariameno Kapa-Kingi has sparked discussion across the political spectrum about internal party processes and the importance of ensuring Māori voices are heard and respected in Parliament. (listen to the fill korero).

Beyond parliamentary politics, Kaipara says new nationwide move-on powers being introduced in town centres are raising serious concerns for Māori communities already facing housing insecurity.

The proposed powers allow police to require individuals to leave public spaces if they are considered to be causing disruption. Critics argue that the measures risk pushing people experiencing homelessness further out of sight without addressing the underlying causes of the problem.

Kaipara says Māori are disproportionately affected by housing pressures and are therefore more likely to be impacted by policies that focus on enforcement rather than long-term solutions.

Across the country, iwi and Māori organisations have been investing in housing initiatives such as papakāinga developments and community-led building projects aimed at increasing the supply of homes for whānau.

However, Kaipara says these efforts often occur without sufficient support from central government, despite the scale of the housing challenges facing Māori communities.

She says stronger partnerships between government and Māori organisations will be essential if the country is to close the gap in housing access and ensure that Māori whānau have stable and secure places to live.

As debate continues around homelessness, public safety and housing policy, Kaipara says the focus must remain on solutions that address the root causes of hardship rather than measures that simply move vulnerable people from one place to another.