Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi Seek to Quash Māori Having Ideologies Not Approved by Te Pāti Māori
December 23, 2022
PHOTO: ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF
Both Waititi and Ngarewa-Packer have mixed feelings about the pandemic response. They share deep concerns about social cohesion, with communities appearing to become more splintered throughout lockdowns and thanks to vaccine disinformation.
To see Māori standing beside far-right activists, holding the United Tribes flag, and continuing to protest despite the wish of Te Ātiawa mana whenua, was a strange sight.
Waititi says that alignment must be caused by genuine concerns with the Government, but is misdirected.
“We are all disillusioned by this system. That’s why we’re here to challenge it. I say, give us an opportunity to stand up against the government - but not this misinformation that went along with that.”