Labour candidate denies visiting gang pad after Te Pāti Māori claim

Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara and Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni engaged in a heated debate regarding a visit to a Mongrel Mob gang pad. Kaipara accused media and political opponents of racism for focusing on gang patches rather than people. During the Whakaata Māori debate, Kaipara alleged that Leoni had visited the same gang pad one week prior to her own visit.

Leoni denied visiting a gang pad during the election campaign, though she clarified she attended a whānau function in early October where some attendees were gang members. Video footage shows Leoni at an event on 3 October that was advertised as a Mongrel Mob chapter fundraiser. Leoni stated, "I have not attended a gang pad, at all during this campaign".

The Tāmaki Makaurau electorate race is currently a close contest according to a Whakaata Māori-Curia poll. The poll shows Kaipara with 33 percent support, leading Leoni, who has 31 percent, while Green Party candidate Florence Te Ōhaere is third with 21 percent.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins stated he expects candidates not to campaign at gang pads. He noted that Leoni had been upfront about her family connections and had accepted her account regarding the October event.

How it developed

• Thu 22 Oct, 6:50pmVideo footage shows Leoni at a Mongrel Mob chapter fundraiser on 3 October, though she maintains it was a family function rather than a gang pad visit.

Where reports differ

• Kaipara alleged Leoni visited the gang pad a week before her visit, while Leoni and the Labour Party denied this, stating she had declined the invitation to the health and wellbeing day
• Leoni described the October event as a whānau function, whereas reports indicate it was advertised as a Mongrel Mob chapter fundraiser

Compiled from reports by Newsroom, Stuff, NZ Herald and The Post.