A public rift within Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori continues to deepen ahead of a promised “reset” of the party later this week. <\/p>\n
MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi spoke to 1News Political Editor Maiki Sherman earlier today, following claims of a toxic environment within the party. <\/p>\n
John Tamihere says the party is focused on a reset after the election of new MP Oriini Kaipara. (Source: 1News)<\/p>\n
The MP for Te Tai Tokerau was demoted from her role of party whip last month, a move she called “disappointing”. She later spoke of “dysfunction” in the party in an interview.<\/p>\n
Speaking today with 1News, Kapa-Kingi said she believed “change was good” in the organisation. <\/p>\n
Claims of toxicity and a “dictatorship” style leadership within the party first emerged publicly from the MP’s son, Eru Kapa-Kingi, as the group he helped lead \u2014 Toitu Te Tiriti \u2014 emphasised it stood independent from Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori.<\/p>\n
When asked if she agreed with her son’s statements, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi said: “It’s time for change, is what I see. Change is good for us. I think, particularly now.”<\/p>\n
She went on to suggest the younger generation brought different expectations and that they “don’t tolerate the stuff that we used to”.<\/p>\n
Toit\u016b Te Tiriti, one of its closest allies, has cut ties with the party. (Source: 1News)<\/p>\n
Separately, allegations have emerged online that the MP had overspent her budget.<\/p>\n
“There was an adjustment and I managed that within the rules,” she said, when asked directly if she overspent her budget.<\/p>\n
Asked for more detail, she said there were “privacy issues”. The MP refused to give a figure of the overspend, but said, “it’s certainly not” $200,000 as had been rumoured online.<\/p>\n