She later said she acted in good faith, that the post’s timing had nothing to do with Waitangi week, and that she believed the information to be true when she shared it. “I believed that to be public information,” Smolders said. Far North Mayor Moko Tepania. He said the issue would be handled through formal FNDC processes after Waitangi week concluded. Labour had confirmed candidates in around 30 electorates so far, with roughly 40 more to be considered in the coming months.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 06, 2026 11:34 UTC