Te Pāti Māori has gone on the offensive after a former ally and leader of the hīkoi movement accused it of operating a "dictatorship model".
In a letter to members, obtained by 1News and other media, the party gave a scathing response to the claims made by Eru Kapa-Kingi last week. The party denied claims of a toxic leadership style and made allegations of its own against Kapa-Kingi.
In the letter, Te Pāti Māori claims Kapa-Kingi's claims are "part of a larger issue with his behavior".
Eru Kapa-Kingi, one of the lead organisers of the Toitū Te Tiriti movement which led the hīkoi protests to Parliament last year, is the son of Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, Te Pāti Māori's MP for Te Tai Tokerau. She was demoted from her position as Matarau or party whip last month.
The party addressed this in the letter, saying the demotion was made due to "clear tactical decisions made to support her run in the 2026 election".
It also discussed claims Mariameno Kapa-Kingi allegedly mismanaged funds, with a potential large overspend.
She addressed those claims last week, telling 1News: "There was an adjustment and I managed that within the rules.” She said there were "privacy issues" and refused to give a figure of the overspend, but said, "it's certainly not" $200,000 as had been rumoured online.
Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Parker said outside Parliament this morning that the email was intended for the party membership not a wider audience.
1News approached party president John Tamihere for comment on the allegations as he entered Parliament this morning.
"It's a great day to be Māori", he said.
1News is seeking response to claims made against Eru Kapa-Kingi in the party's letter. Eru Kapa-Kingi said on social media he was not responding to media about the claims but would be putting out a statement "soon".
Following the release of the letter, the party's Te Tai Tonga electorate called for a vote of no confidence in party president John Tamihere and its national executive.
TPM's co-leader refused to answer a question from 1News' Maiki Sherman during a news conference about the party’s "reset". (Source: 1News)
Former party figure
Eru Kapa-Kingi was the party's former vice-president and a 2023 list candidate.
Earlier this month, he attempted to distance the Toitū Te Tiriti movement from Te Pāti Māori.
He attacked a "false ego-driven narrative" within the party that it had ownership over Māori electorate seats.
"Power doesn't sit with one party - it sits with the people," he said.
Mariameno Kapa-Kingi told 1News last week the demotion had been "disappointing".
Asked whether she agreed with her son's allegations, she responded it was "time for change" within the party.
Party leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi refused to address allegations of a dictatorial leadership model when 1News political editor Maiki Sherman put it to them at a media stand-up held after the party's "reset" last week.
Waititi pulled Ngarewa-Packer away and abruptly ended the session, saying: "Kia ora Maiki, thank you. You fellas can thank Maiki for that one."
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including the return of all living hostages from Gaza, Te Pāti Māori hits back at a former ally, and a try scoring machine on his way to the Warriors. (Source: 1News)
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