Peeni Henare insists he was replying to a question with his personal view, not the party line. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Labour's Tāmaki Makaurau candidate stands by saying he'd repeal the gang patch law at an event on Wednesday night, despite the party's deputy leader insisting he was "mistaken".
Peeni Henare told RNZ he was asked his personal view on the issue, which was informed by his whānau experience, and understood that differed from his party's view.
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said it showed the type of campaign currently underway, where one candidate spoke for Māori and the other spoke for a "mainstream party".
An audience member at the Waatea-hosted debate at Favona asked the candidates: "Will you repeal the gang patch law, if you come into government - yes or no?"
Te Pāti Māori candidate Oriini Kaipara responded "yes" and Henare could also be heard saying "āe" (yes).
However, Labour leader Chris Hipkins has previously said the party would not repeal the legislation making it illegal to wear gang patches in public, prompting the government to hit out at Labour for inconsistency and question whether the party was telling the truth.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith highlighted the comment, saying Labour had "finally announced" its first law and order policy.
Henare acknowledged his view was not the "party view", but indicated he provided his own opinion, which he "stands by".
He also said he would continue to advocate for better legislation to support Māori communities and dismissed the criticism as another distraction by the government to "disguise their anti-Māori agenda".
Ngarewa-Packer indicated it was symbolic of the different voices vying for the Tāmaki Makaurau seat. She told RNZ there were two different candidates and two different parties.
Labour wouldn't push the "Māori agenda", she said.
"They're going to push an agenda that, sadly, is focused on middle voters, so that's why we have to be in there."
She hoped that distinction would be "disclosed" through the campaign. It was a "poignant reminder for Māori" that Labour would defend "a system", while Te Pāti Māori would "defend and transform our people".
"That's a tough gig for Peeni to be in, to be really honest."
Ngarewa-Packer said Henare may personally feel a certain way, but "he's got to toe the line," adding the talented, young Māori leader was "shackled".
Deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni explained Labour had "no intention to repeal that legislation" and Henare may have been mistaken.
"We did oppose the bill in the House and so I'm wondering whether that led him to that conclusion," she said.
Asked whether there needed to be a conversation with Henare to clear up any confusion, Sepuloni said there was "certainly no need for a telling off here".
"Peeni is doing a good job out on the campaign trail and we respect the mahi that he's doing."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
