# Greens' Marama Davidson defends gang meetings amid election backlash

> Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson insists election meetings with gang members are vital for community safety.
- Title: Greens' Marama Davidson defends gang meetings amid election…
- Summary: Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson insists election meetings with gang members are vital for community safety. Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson…
- Keywords: marama davidson, green party, labour, chris hipkins, te pāti māori, mongrel mob, election 2026, gangs, police, corrections, politics, news
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1923070/greens-marama-davidson-doubles-down-amid-outrage-over-gang-visit
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-14T23:58:03+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: marama davidson, green party, labour, chris hipkins, te pāti māori, mongrel mob, election 2026, gangs, police, corrections, politics, news
## Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson
Marama Davidson doubles down on meeting with gang members during election campaign.

> We don't change who we are as a political party just for the campaign, you know
## Labour leader Chris Hipkins condemns
Labour leader Chris Hipkins rules out Greens and Te Pāti Māori from police and corrections portfolios.

> We don't change who we are as a political party just for the campaign, you know
## Labour campaign chair Willie Jackson
Willie Jackson calls meeting with Mongrel Mob a poor strategic move for Labour.

> You do not hand the government something, who are absolutely desperate at the moment, desperate, and then all of a sudden you go and have a campaign meeting with the, come on, with the Mob
## Hipkins on policy incompatibility
Hipkins says Greens and Te Pāti Māori policies are incompatible with Labour's approach.

> There are fundamental differences of approach there .... I'm quite comfortable with the decision that I took
## Davidson defends community outreach
Davidson says Greens engage with marginalized communities to prevent crime.

> We have to engage with the very people who are pushed to the margins. We have to, and the Greens have always done that
## Davidson on preventing harm
Davidson acknowledges harm from gang violence but insists party supports community-led initiatives.

> I acknowledge that harm, and we want to prevent that harm
## Hipkins on gang growth
Hipkins states gang membership grew three times faster than police numbers.

> Gang membership has grown faster than Police - three times faster - than the number of Police
## Davidson on gang patch ban
Davidson says Greens will repeal gang patch ban but it's not a priority.

> We certainly do not endorse that
## What happens next
Greens will prioritize reducing bills for low-income households after election.

> We'll go to the election table after the election has happened, and hopefully, with a good, strong mandate, we can prioritise reducing people's power bills, transport bills and kai bills by taxing the super rich
## Key takeaway

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson defends meeting with gang members as part of community outreach despite Labour leader Chris Hipkins ruling the Greens out of key portfolios.