Peeni Henare’s exit was messy — But his political legacy deserves respect
Peeni Henare’s resignation from Parliament has triggered predictable political sniping, particularly from New Zealand First. But reducing his departure to gossip or factional mud-slinging ignores the depth of his contribution to Māori representation, defence leadership, and Labour’s modern legacy.
New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones is questioning the circumstances behind Labour MP Peeni Henare’s shock resignation, believing the whole story is not being told.
On Tuesday, Henare announced he was calling time on his 12-year Parliamentary career, citing exhaustion and a desire to spend more time focusing on his family and future.
“It’s a bit of, I didn’t have enough in the tank. It’s a bit of understanding that I can continue to influence the way people vote outside of being an MP and outside of Parliament,” he said.
Henare also said some opportunities had presented themselves to him.
RNZ
Peeni Henare’s legacy deserves respect, not political gossip
I really like Peeni and his legacy of representation at the highest levels should be respected and celebrated.
He has been an amazing voice for Labour and Māori-dom and a real star in left wing politics.
A record of service that went far beyond symbolism
His Haka in Parliament was a personal highlight for me, but he achieved much more than that:
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Expansion of Whānau Ora and kaupapa Māori support
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Defence modernisation and capability upgrades
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Civil defence and emergency response leadership
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Māori health and social policy advocacy
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International defence and diplomatic engagement
- He is a very modest man, a very humble leader and an amazing bloke to have a beer with.
We are a lesser movement without him.
The Tāmaki Makaurau loss cut deeper than most realise
However.
I also think Peeni is a very genuine person and his shock and disappointment of the huge Tāmaki Makaurau by-election loss was felt deeply by him.
It wasn’t just the huge stonking win the Māori Party’s social media first strategy pulled off, it was also the reality that Oriini won.
Oriini has in her short time as an MP come across as flakey as hell and when a person of deep mana like Peeni loses to someone whose political depth has yet to be proven, I think it hurts on a very deep level.
Deeper than most realise and I think this loss put Peeni into a tailspin.
Labour’s impossible bind: loyalty, lists, and electoral reality
On the one hand he wanted a high list ranking to stay but didn’t want the humiliation of another electoral defeat.
Labour’s leadership, while loving Peeni, didn’t have the luxury of making high party placements for candidates who didn’t want to fight in the electorate.
I think the messy way it was announced was driven by Labour wanting Peeni to stand vs Peeni not wanting to stand (but wanting to stay on the list) and that difference (added to the grief of losing to someone as flakey as hell) did not a cocktail of good times make.
Shane Jones isn’t defending transparency — he’s fishing for spectacle
As for Shane demanding to know what happened, revealing that will only damage Peeni, so you knock yourself out Shane, are you going do an Eru by airing dirty laundry in front of the Marae?
Whose audience are you talking to when you say this Shane?
Northland Māori sympathetic to Peeni or your redneck supporters who love seeing Māori fight?
A messy exit doesn’t erase a career of mana
It was a messy resignation, but Peeni’s legacy should over shine that brief stumble. He is a person of mana who has served him community well.
We don’t need Shane Jones going through the dirty laundry in an attempt to smear Labour.
Dave Letele may be the next Labour Party candidate for Tāmaki Makaurau.
That’s my take on it too. He will be missed.
Peeni had a dam fine electoral office, which had staff who were very helpful and knew their stuff. He even survived me giving him shit about his inaccessible office in Onehunga. Which he took on board, and made his other offices accessible. With too few good electoral PM’s it’s a shame to loss Peeni. Wish him the best of luck with his new ventures.
Jesus wept ,is Peeni the first MP to step down from the job?NO and he wont be the last .Looking at this from the out side I see another really good person frustrated at not being able to get traction needed to do the best for NZ as a whole .He will achieve far more out of government .The Iwi must step up and get him on board the treaty settlement negotiation for Nahgpui and get them on the road to a massive future on their Whenua before the country is completly trashed by the current bunch of haters and grifters .
It’s a shame the party that he is a member of no longer represent the people he is working for.
Fingers crossed labour gets Dave Letele to run for office
Well said ; And it’s ok to disagree in a political party – otherwise why would we join to just become obedient little soldiers? I just don’t like the media deciding they know best about the conversations that will have gone on between friends and colleagues, I imagine for months. I respect the mahi of those who have done great things in Labour : Peeni is one. Adrian is another. But I get it. 12 years is a long time in Parliament ; think about what Peeni and Adrian went through as Ministers during COVID? It’s time now to look at the next generation of Maori coming into Parliament for Labour, or who are already there. There are some amazing women like Arena Williams and Willow-Jean Prime. There will be more.
What I disliked in regards to the mainstream NZ Media is the OCD of the media to make a Song and Dance on a regular basis about Peeni Henare’s news of leaving politics.
Why the media must ‘chase for stories that may not even exist’ in the Labour Camp without looking at National, ACT and NZ First just beggars belief.
In recent weeks Judith Collins announced she was retiring from politics to become possibly Politically Appointed President of the Law Commission. Not a Peep out of the Biased towards National mainstream NZ media on that item even though over the past 21 years Collins has done some Doozeys in her actions eg Her Role in Dirty Politics.
I wish Peeni all the best for the future. More than I wish for Judith Collins who has ONLY done things in favour of National and HERSELF. As president of the law commission it will be a matter of time to see how biased to National she will be in such a role.
Exactly. Collins’ appointment is unusual and they can’t be bothered following it up.
It should be investigated but media has been told to hush it up.
I don’t think Shane Jones should ever be making accusations of the whole story not being told. Given his decision making seems to be remarkably in line with the thinking of his corporate sponsors he should probably have a nice big cup of shut-up-the-hell-up.
Who gives a stuff what the egotistical Shane Jones comes up with. Whatever, it will be his home-grown BS and speculation! None of his damned business – he should be more worried about the mindless mining he wants for NZ, especially in light of the increasing climate disasters. However it sounds like he is a climate denier too..! I consider him to be one of NZ’s most inept, self-centred politicians. Shane, do learn to control your runaway Gob! All the best to Peeni going forward and thx for your contributions.
Letele has done more for his community for Maori and Pasifika than Orini ever has. It all comes down to whether people will vote for the candidate or the party the candidate stands for…