From NZ Herald · · 2m
Labour campaign rocked as candidate quits days out from voting
Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni resigns after footage shows her campaigning with Mongrel Mob members, days before New Zealand voting.
In brief
Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni resigns after footage shows her campaigning with Mongrel Mob members, days before New Zealand voting. Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni resigned days before voting after footage emerged of her campaigning with Mongrel Mob members, sparking political backlash. Originally reported by NZ Herald.
Labour candidate resigns
Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni resigned after footage showed her appearing to campaign with Mongrel Mob members.
Campaign turmoil
Labour’s election campaign was thrown into turmoil as Leoni’s resignation comes days before early voting opens.
Labour leader response
Labour leader Chris Hipkins called campaigning with gangs unacceptable and inconsistent with Labour standards.
Leoni’s statement
Leoni said the event was a 'whānau function' turned into a political weapon for media clicks.
“Is this really the kind of New Zealand we want to live in?”
Te Pāti Māori reaction
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi said they would not let the controversy distract from dismantling the government.
Greens’ stance
Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick emphasized their commitment to restorative justice and evidence-based policy.
National leader critique
National leader Christopher Luxon called Labour’s handling of the scandal 'very chaotic' and accused them of being soft on crime.
Act Party comment
Act Party deputy leader Nicole McKee accused Labour of romanticizing gangs and failing to protect their whānau.
New Zealand First accusation
New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones accused Labour of romanticizing gangs as 'hardened thugs'.
No evidence of visit
There is no evidence Leoni visited a gang pad, though footage showed her campaigning with gang members.
Herald debate reference
Hipkins ruled out allowing Te Pāti Māori and Greens members to serve in law and order portfolios.
Leoni’s ballot status
Leoni’s name remains on ballot papers as Labour candidate due to late resignation.
Political fallout
The scandal gives Te Pāti Māori a better chance of triggering a parliamentary overhang.
Hipkins’ debate comment
Hipkins said the visit was a 'bad judgment' during the Herald’s leaders’ debate.
Oriini Kaipara’s claim
Te Pāti Māori’s Oriini Kaipara alleged Leoni was at the gang pad during a Whakaata Māori debate.
What happens next
Labour faces backlash as coalition partners criticize their handling of the scandal days before voting.
In short
Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni resigned days before voting after footage emerged of her campaigning with Mongrel Mob members, sparking political backlash.
