Te Pāti Māori MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi has highlighted what she calls dysfunction within the party as she doubled down on her disappointment over her demotion as party whip.
The Te Tai Tokerau MP was told of the decision last month, with the role instead being handed over to co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.
In an interview with Te Hiku Media released last night, Kapa-Kingi said she felt "disappointed" by the move.
She said the party had been doing it tough.
"It is a really difficult time for sure, even right now probably in the last several months with the loss of Takutai [Tarsh Kemp]."
Asked if she was happy with her party, Kapa-Kingi's response was mixed.
"I think it's still the closest in heart and mind to what our whānau Māori, hapū Māori, really desire and want. But my expectation is that we should do better and we can do better."
Kapa-Kingi continued: "I think moving forward because I hear it, too. The rumours you hear, the direct — not even rumours, just the direct 'Meno what on Earth is going on?' — I speak to that. I present what I know works for Te Tai Tokerau... even, sometimes, despite the dysfunction."
Kapa-Kingi said she had to step in at times to support the caucus team and believed she did a good job.
Te Hiku Media journalist Jodi Ihaka put to Kapa-Kingi that she had heard rumours that Kapa-Kingi had challenged the leadership of Ngarewa-Packer and co-leader Rawiri Waititi.
Kapa-Kingi said as a woman of Te Aupōuri and Ngāpuhi descent, she had a "particular way of practice and function in a team".
"I am at a stage in my life where I don't tolerate hoha and nonsense... I'm the type of practitioner, from when I was 16 to my age now — I just turn up to my job."
She believed those in her constituency of Te Tai Tokerau agree.
"I'm naturally wired that way, my parents trained me to be that way, and I still think it's the smartest Maōri way to practice being a Māori in that House, despite what the house is."
Te Pāti Māori has been contacted by 1News for comment.
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