Video surfaces of Te Pāti Māori MP meeting Mongrel Mob members
Monday 19 October 2026 · 3 outlets · 5 reports · updated In this story Labour Party, Te Pāti Māori, Green Party, Oriini Kaipara, Kerrin Leoni
Footage has emerged showing Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara campaigning for votes during a visit to a Mongrel Mob gang pad in Auckland. The meeting, which included Green Party representatives, has drawn criticism from Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni. Labour has stated it would not grant justice-related roles to Te Pāti Māori or Green MPs.
Key facts
3 facts
- Oriini Kaipara, Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, Hūhana Lyndon, and Michel Mulipola visited a Mongrel Mob pad near Auckland
- The visit occurred during a gang-hosted hauora day
- Chris Hipkins ruled out Green or Te Pāti Māori MPs from justice ministerial roles if they ruled government
The full story
1 min read · 3 outlets
Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara visited a Mongrel Mob gang pad near Auckland last week to campaign for votes. The visit included Te Pāti Māori MPs Oriini Kaipara and Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, Green MP Hūhana Lyndon, and Green candidate Michel Mulipola. The meeting took place during a hauora day hosted by the gang to promote health and wellbeing.
During the meeting, Kaipara told members, “You are tangata whenua. You are of this land. You are Maui’s descendant. You are the descendants of Toi, of Kupe, of Tupaia”. She stated that Te Pāti Māori policies would help “reinstate what should have always been”. Kaipara defended the visit by saying, “I think what we need to clarify first, Guyon, is the fact you see Mongrel Mob, I see whānau”.
The visit has drawn significant political criticism. Labour leader Chris Hipkins called the move a “huge error of judgement” and ruled out Te Pāti Māori or Green MPs from holding justice-related ministerial roles in a future government. Labour campaign chair Kieran McAnulty indicated the party is looking towards a potential coalition without Te Pāti Māori.
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said she was “unapologetic” for engaging with marginalised communities. Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni suggested the social media photos could provide political ammunition for the National Party and might further marginalise the gang.
How it developed
- Mon 19 Oct, 4:21pmKaipara told RNZ that she understands her actions might be seen as an endorsement of gangs, but engaging with the community is more important than perception.
Where reports differ
- The Green Party initially claimed the visit was not a campaign event, though video shows candidates were given microphones to campaign for votes
Compiled from reports by NZ Herald, Stuff and Newsroom.
