May 10, 2023
Speaker blunts celebration of Meka defection
Speaker Adrian Rurawhe ordered Māori Party MPs Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer out of the chamber at the start of proceedings this afternoon after Māori Party supporters performed a haka in Parliament’s gallery to mark the shift of Meka Whaitiri to the cross benches.
Mr Rurawhe says he was informed in the morning that all parties had agreed to the welcome, and then was informed that was not the case.
The expulsions were because he had limited ability to address a matter that had already happened
Meka Whaitiri made a personal explanation that she had crossed the floor to join Te Pāti Māori because it was time for her to put her whakapapa first and to serve her people.
She says she was pleased to stand in the House with a party which enables the voice of wāhine Māori to be heard and not censored.
“When we talk of a 50-50 gender split, I want my voice to be heard,” she said.