Kapa-Kingi goes full Alamein Kopu on Mihi’s MATA – more ego before the waka will sink Te Pāti Māori
Fresh tensions within Te Pāti Māori have erupted into public view following a high-profile interview, raising concerns about leadership unity and political strategy ahead of Election 2026.
Te Pāti Māori internal conflict spills into public view
Wow. Just. Wow.
Kapa-Kingi’s interview highlights leadership breakdown
‘The silence is deafening’: Mariameno Kapa-Kingi yet to speak with Te Pāti Māori leaders
“The silence is deafening.”
That’s the word from newly reinstated Te Pāti Māori MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi who said she was yet to speak with her party’s leadership team after months of internal ructions and a bitter High Court battle.
In a wide-ranging interview with MATA host Mihingarangi Forbes, Kapa-Kingi said since returning to Parliament, all she had received from party co-leader Rāwiri Waititi was a text message asking if she would be available for a short, 10-minute kōrero, and she had not spoken to the party’s president John Tamihere since November 2025.
“Rāwiri messaged and asked if I was available at a particular time… we haven’t managed to pull that off,” she said.
Public criticism risks political damage
Just when you couldn’t believe this could get more mismanaged, Mariameno goes full Alamein Kopu on Mihi’s MATA in another firebombing campaign against Te Pāti Māori Leadership in an interview which had her pronouns set at “I” and “me”, as she relitigated the recent schism and handed further political ammunition to the Political Right.
Voter priorities versus internal disputes
The member for Te Tai Tokerau seems to think voters are more interested in her feelings being hurt after failing to sack John Tamihere as President than maybe doing something about the fuel costs that are smashing so many whānau right now.
I’m not sure focusing on disagreement and feeding more internal resentment is really what is required, one would have thought some self reflection and good faith to rebuild bridges was what was a sensible step forward.
Not another kamikaze suicide bomber vest attack.
Will internal division weaken Te Pāti Māori?
More ego before the waka will sink Te Pāti Māori.
Adding to my comment, I go one step further. This is likely to be a very close election result. Nga Puhi would command much more political leverage if they were to elect their own independent MP into Parliament. Ngai Tahu are the other iwi that could probably do the same.
The existence of TPM doesnt matter at all. It currently does not, and probably can not ever represent the view of all Maori in Parliament. It is insulting to Maori to suggest that TPM is essential for this role. We would never suggest that tangata tiriti can only be represented in Parliament by 1 or 2 parties. All parties rise and fall. The current leadership of TPM have not had the mana of its founders to hold the party together. So be it. It is the continued existence of the Maori seats and the growing influence of Maori in other parties that is important.
OMG Mariameno KK – what an “insufferable ego” you have. Life / politics isn’t all about YOU. It’s about working in with people who have similar / close beliefs. You were offered a time to meet – did you come back with ALTERNATIVES? You just want to SH&T stir – again all about ME [I] ME. You shouldn’t be in politics – you are too self-focused, narrow-minded and spiteful. If you don’t wish to stand for TPM then go independent which beggars the question – why did you make such a fuss to be accepted back? Please Left bring in your best candidate and get rid of her ASAP. She is a huge liability and won’t ever change.