19 Mar 2021

Nicola Willis, Marama Davidson at loggerheads over comments on emergency housing

From Morning Report, 7:37 am on 19 March 2021

National MP Nicola Willis and Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson have gone head to head over accusations of racism and classism.

Earlier this week Stuff published a story that Nicola Willis doesn't feel safe walking through central Wellington. She said an "explosion" in emergency housing and a growing gang presence in the area was causing problems.

Marama Davidson tweeted that people need to be mindful of the racist and classist undertones of Willis' narrative.

During Parliament's Question Time Nicola Willis confronted Associate Housing Minister Marama Davidson about the tweet.