Te Pati Māori announced the expulsion of MPs Takuta Ferris and Mariameno Kapa-Kingi today, following weeks of media controversy for the party.
The controversy began when Ferris and Kapa-Kingi called for party President John Tamihere to step down.
This morning, Te Pati Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi announced the pair would be expelled from the party effective immediately.
This was decided in a meeting on Sunday night, they said.
Their resolution has shown the resilience of Te Pati Māori's leadership, says Ngarewa-Packer.
She expects internal conflict to be a challenge for other parties too she says.
"We're going to see other parties fall out next year.
“Te Pati Māori's got in first, it's best to be on this side."
Ferris and Kapa-Kingi plan to challenge their expulsion.
In a statement on their social media accounts, the two MPs say they, and their electorates, were excluded from the meetings that decided their removal from the party.
In his statement, Ferris says he refuses to acknowledge the decision.
"This decision was plainly unconstitutional, contrary to tikanga Māori and a direct affront to the values this movement was founded upon."
Co-leader Waititi says the pair are welcome to appeal, but the decision is final.
