Election 2026: Te Pāti Māori’s Oriini Kaipara vowed to restore ‘mana’ to Mongrel Mob at gang visit

A Te Pāti Māori MP has vowed to “restore mana” by providing more rights to gang members. 

The comments were made during a visit by Te Pāti Māori MPs and Green Party politicians and candidates to a Mongrel Mob gang pad last week, attracting heavy scrutiny from political parties. 

In a short video clip shared online by a meeting attendee, Te Pāti Māori’s Oriini Kaipara addressed Mongrel Mob members, pledging she would give gangs their “mana” back. 

“You are tangata whenua. You are of this land. You are Maui’s descendant. You are the descendants of Toi, of Kupe, of Tupaia. 

“How come you have to beg for, not a handout, for more than support acknowledging your mana? 

“Our policies reinstate what should have always been.” 

The clip of Kaipara’s speech began with the words “that I think everyone should be quite scared about”. It was unclear what that was in relation to. 

Te Pāti Māori has been approached for comment. 

Photos published to social media last week showed Mongrel Mob members meeting with Green MP Hūhana Lyndon and candidate Michel Mulipola, as well as Te Pāti Māori MPs Oriini Kaipara and Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke. 

Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick refused to say if she would have advised MP Lyndon against meeting with members of the Mongrel Mob. 

Labour’s Chris Hipkins labelled the move as a “huge error of judgement” and later ruled out both parties from holding major ministerial roles if they ruled government. 

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson, who also posed with gang leader in 2021, said she was “unapologetic” for engaging with marginalised communities.