Summarised by Centrist
During a Tāmaki Makaurau candidate debate, Labour’s Peeni Henare answered “āe” when asked directly whether he would repeal the law.
Deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni told reporters Henare was mistaken.
She said Labour’s caucus was not confused and there was no split on the issue. But Henare told RNZ he had been asked for his personal view and gave it. He added that his stance came from lived experience and a desire to see better laws for Māori communities.
“I will continue to advocate for better legislation to support Māori communities,” he said.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith mocked Labour for the mixed signals and said the exchange revealed Henare’s real position. He claimed Labour could not be trusted on law and order.
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer also seized on the moment. She said it showed the difference between a candidate speaking for Māori and one speaking for a mainstream party. In her words, Henare is a talented Māori leader who is shackled by party discipline.
Sepuloni suggested Labour’s earlier opposition to the patch ban in Parliament may have led to Henare’s confusion. But she reiterated there would be no repeal and no reprimand.
Read more over at RNZ and The NZ Herald
Image: Rongo Keene
