The attack on Te Pati Māori's President Tamihere

Te Pati Māori is facing internal conflict following the suspension of MP for Te Tai Tokerau Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, after leaked email allegations of her office overspending $113,000 led to a non-unanimous vote from the party. 

The South Island majority Te Tai Tonga electorate posted a petition on their Instagram, calling for the immediate stand down of the party's president, John Tamihere. They allege Tamihere hadn't acted in good faith to the party, however didn't directly align this petition with the decision to suspend Kapa-Kingi.

In the post, they claim the "kaupapa deserves better" in terms of leadership. The post is liked by party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and has garnered almost 700 signatures as of the 4th of November.

Tamihere promptly responded, highlighting and bringing personal commentary to the infighting between Te Pati Māori in a 1,336 word essay on his Facebook account.

In the post, Tamihere claims MP's that have issues with his leadership have never voiced it in party meetings. This conflict was backed by Te Pati Māori's co-leader Rawiri Waititi claims the two afformentioned MPs, Kapa Kingi and Ferris allegedly tried to oust him and his counterpart Debbie Ngawera-Packer earlier this year as well. 

The parties annual general meeting is scheduled for next month, where Tamihere says the rest of the leadership will factor in expelling both Kapa-Kingi and MP for Te Tai Tonga, Takuta Ferris.