# Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara on gangs

> Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara defends gang support during election campaign.
- Title: Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara on gangs · RNZ | Shortify
- Summary: Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara defends gang support during election campaign. Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara says she sees whānau in Mongrel Mob gang…
- Keywords: te pati māori, oriini kaipara, mongrel mob, whānau, election 2026, national, labour, green party, gangs, state care abuse, politics, news
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/2018789/te-pati-maori-s-oriini-kaipara-on-gangs-i-see-whanau
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-19T00:41:54+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: te pati māori, oriini kaipara, mongrel mob, whānau, election 2026, national, labour, green party, gangs, state care abuse, politics, news
## Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara
Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara says she sees whānau in Mongrel Mob gang members, not gangs themselves.

> I see whānau. I see mums and dads, I see uncles who have been trapped in intergenerational trauma who have not been listened to, especially in the last three years by this government who continuously target those behind the patch.
## Oriini Kaipara's gang visit
Oriini Kaipara visited a Mongrel Mob gang pad with other MPs from her party and the Greens earlier this month.

> I think what we need to clarify first Guyon is the fact you see Mongrel Mob, I see whānau.
## National leader's response
National leader Christopher Luxon said 2000 more people are in prison, half of whom are gang members.

> They are not Probus or the Lions or Rotary, they're not a community organisation, they peddle misery and death and suffering.
## Labour's stance
Labour leader Chris Hipkins ruled out restoring mana to Mongrel Mob gang members, calling them a scourge on society.

> I have no time for the gangs. They will not get any support from any government that I lead.
## Green Party's position
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said Te Pāti Māori must answer for comments on restoring mana to Mongrel Mob.

> Oriini Kaipara made those comments, not the Green Party, and that is for Te Pāti Māori to answer to.
## National's stance
National's justice spokesperson Paul Goldsmith called Kaipara's comments 'outrageous' and said they peddle misery and havoc.

> There is no excuse for gang sympathy. They peddle misery and havoc throughout New Zealand.
## Key takeaway

Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara says she sees whānau in Mongrel Mob gang members, not gangs themselves.