Te Ururoa Flavell: Former Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader on Mariameno Kapa-Kingi forming her own political party to contest the election
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What led Mariameno Kapa-Kingi to form her own political party?
Enjoy your time left with Madam Inukapa Kingi because she's starting her own party and history tells us that's basically the end of that. The bigger question, of course, also, is she the only one and what's it mean for the Maori Party itself? Te Ururoa Flabel has been there, done that, and he's back with us. Morning, mate. What is it with Maori politicians that they always seem to end up falling out with each other?
Well, it doesn't necessarily sit with Māori MPs as well. It happens in mainstream parties. But, I mean, you know, in this particular case, she had pretty much not too many options, being ostracised in a sense by the party, albeit the court case went in her favour. So she didn't have too many choices, but she sort of tried that hook of the Taitokero, which may well sort of give her a hand. And there's an element of hope because, you know,
How does Te Ururoa Flavell view the impact of individual politicians on smaller parties?
One or two parties could be the difference at the next election, but on the other hand, as you say, history is pretty much against the small parties, in particular those who are sort of wrapped around one individual. It just doesn't happen in Māori politics. Has she got any standing in the electorate or not? I think she has, but the downside is she's got two other MPs, current MPs, Hulana Linton, as well as Willow-Jean Prime, and Māori Party haven't selected their candidate yet, so you've got four, probably women, all who know each other, all probably related to each other, all want the same for our people. They're just coming under a different political banner, and history says that probably when it gets to these sorts of situations, our people will go back to mothership, since they're Labour.
Labour and see what happens for another three years and then who knows what's going to happen after that.
See, that's what I don't understand is if the Labour Party win all the Maori seats, which is entirely possible, they've shot themselves in the foot to be government, haven't they? They need a third player. The third player's now gone and they've destroyed them.
What challenges does Mariameno Kapa-Kingi face in her electorate?
Well, that's true, but it's all about numbers, as you know, and it could be if it's very tight and polls go up and down, but if it's very tight, just one or two parties could make the difference. Small parties could make the difference. In fact, one or two individuals. I mean, as my experience was, we had two MPs. National Party just needed that guarantee to get them over the line to have stable government. They asked myself and one other to be in there. So, you know, just two individuals to make one hell of a difference as to whether you're going to be the government of the day. And therefore, you know, she's got every chance as anybody else. But the downside is people need to understand how the politics of it all rolls, and particularly on election night, because as I say,
Why is history against smaller political parties in New Zealand?
If they put one or two people in the right place, then actually they could be the kingmaker.
Tucker de Ferris, is he going to go? Do we know or not?
I haven't heard anything whatsoever, but I suspect that he's independent as he sits. I think he'll possibly stay there. He hasn't got too many choices himself, and he finds himself in pretty much the same dilemma.
The only thing I can think of, you know more than I do, but is Rawery big enough in his electorate to potentially beat Labour off?
Well, again, it comes down to that sort of split vote and how much damage the whole saga with respect to the Māori Party has caused. And I say in terms of what I've heard around the electorate is, yes, people have been turned off by the whole saga. They're over it.
How could the Labour Party's strategy affect the upcoming election?
And so he's still very popular, put it that way. But there's two other candidates that have been. One that was at the last election and Tania Waikato now has come into the frame. He's very well known across the social media platform. So You know, all of them are going to be a very tight race, and it's going to be interesting. I reckon we should just hang off of it, see where the dice rolls a little bit more, next three or four months, and we'll see exactly where everything lands.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What led Mariameno Kapa-Kingi to form her own political party?
0:00–0:47
2
How does Te Ururoa Flavell view the impact of individual politicians on smaller parties?
0:47–1:49
3
What challenges does Mariameno Kapa-Kingi face in her electorate?
1:49–2:28
4
Why is history against smaller political parties in New Zealand?
2:28–3:10
5
How could the Labour Party's strategy affect the upcoming election?
3:10–3:36
6
What factors will determine the outcome of the tight race in Te Tai Tokerau?
3:36–3:48
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