Tamatha Paul police comments row

The story so far

Wellington Central Green MP Tamatha Paul has faced backlash over comments that a visible police presence can make people feel more on edge, and over the value of beat police.^{26, 28 Mar 2025} The coalition Government and Labour criticised her remarks, and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the Greens were disconnected from law and order realities.^{26, 29 Mar 2025} Paul also claimed police threw away items belonging to homeless people, but the Salvation Army and Downtown Community Ministry said they had not formally complained to her.^{27 Mar 2025} Wellington social services defended the value of beat teams, while Paul said she had received significant feedback from constituents on the issue.^{26, 29 Mar 2025} The debate also touched on Paul's ideas about police abolition, and opinion writers said the controversy reflected poorly on political discourse in New Zealand.^{28, 29 Mar 2025}

Latest

Paul played songs critical of the police during a DJ set at the CubaDupa festival over the weekend.^{31 Mar 2025} The Green Party said it has more significant issues to address than the music played.^{31 Mar 2025}

Key moments

1. 26 Mar 2025Paul stands by her comments that visible police presence makes people feel on edge.
2. 27 Mar 2025Salvation Army and Downtown Community Ministry say they never formally complained to Paul.
3. 28 Mar 2025Opinion writers criticise Paul's remarks on beat police, saying the debate reflects poorly.
4. 29 Mar 2025Luxon says the Greens are disconnected from law and order realities.
5. 31 Mar 2025Paul plays anti-police songs during a DJ set at CubaDupa festival.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.