# Kiri Tamihere-Waititi calls Mongrel Mob hui 'manufactured outrage'

> Te Pāti Māori leader Kiri Tamihere-Waititi calls backlash over Mongrel Mob photos 'manufactured outrage' from right bloc.
- Title: Kiri Tamihere-Waititi calls Mongrel Mob hui 'manufactured…
- Summary: Te Pāti Māori leader Kiri Tamihere-Waititi calls backlash over Mongrel Mob photos 'manufactured outrage' from right bloc. Te Pāti Māori's Kiri…
- Keywords: kiri tamihere-waititi, te pati māori, mongrel mob, green party, national party, labour, politics, election 2026, whānau, gang pad, hui, news
- Source: NZ Herald — https://nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-kiri-tamihere-waititi-calls-backlash-to-mongrel-mob-hui-manufactured-outrage/3OQJVNY325HWBLJLMHSPXXMHRU
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: kiri tamihere-waititi, te pati māori, mongrel mob, green party, national party, labour, politics, election 2026, whānau, gang pad, hui, news
## Kiri Tamihere-Waititi's criticism
Te Pāti Māori's general manager Kiri Tamihere-Waititi called the cross-party rebuke of Te Pāti Māori and Green MPs meeting with Mongrel Mob members at their South Auckland gang pad 'manufactured outrage' from the right bloc.

> manufactured outrage
## Tamihere-Waititi's defense
She described the meeting as normal for Māori to sit with gang whānau, saying they don't discriminate and that every gang member is part of New Zealand society.
## Oriini Kaipara's photos
Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara posted photos from a 'health and wellbeing election hui' at the Mongrel Mob gang pad featuring her and MPs Hūhana Lyndon and Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke.
## Kaipara's explanation
Kaipara stated the kaupapa wasn't about them but about the health and wellbeing of the Mob community, with every gang member being part of a whānau and whakapapa.
## Hipkins' response
Labour leader Hipkins ruled out giving Greens or Te Pāti Māori police or corrections portfolios in a future coalition government.
## Luxon's comment
National leader Christopher Luxon called Hipkins' stance 'a new coalition member today, it's the Mongrel Mob'.

> a new coalition member today, it's the mongrel mob
## Goldsmith's criticism
National's justice spokesman Paul Goldsmith called Greens' willingness to fund Mongrel Mob drug prevention programs a 'sick joke'.

> sick joke
## Tamihere-Waititi's tactic warning
She warned political opponents had orchestrated the backlash to stress Labour and make them say they're not working with Māori or Green parties.
## Tamihere-Waititi's call for vigilance
Tamihere-Waititi said it's important to watch for different tactics used by opponents to sow division and whakawehiwehi.

> whakawehiwehi
## Davidson's defense
Greens co-leader Marama Davidson called the meeting 'proud' engagement for marginalised communities, while Chlöe Swarbrick wanted to understand context.

> proud
## Hipkins' walkabout
Hipkins restated his belief that the meeting was 'an error of judgment' after a walkabout at New Lynn Mall.

> an error of judgment
## Hipkins' stance on gangs
Hipkins said visiting gang pads is not responsible for politicians and that gang members' harm in society shouldn't be given credence.
## Tamihere-Waititi's whānau connection
She emphasized that Māori consider gang members as part of their whānau, whakapapa, and New Zealand society.
## Political fallout
The meeting has triggered backlash from Labour, National, and other parties over whether politicians should engage with gang communities.
## Mongrel Mob context
Mongrel Mob is a South Auckland gang with significant influence in local politics and community affairs.
## Election 2026 context
The 2026 New Zealand election involves multiple parties including Labour, National, Te Pāti Māori, and Green Party.
## Key takeaway

Te Pāti Māori's Kiri Tamihere-Waititi says meeting with Mongrel Mob at gang pad is normal for Māori and labels political backlash as 'manufactured outrage' from right bloc.