Which is where the “eight” comes in. The tally of the Blokesit so far is: former deputy leader Kelvin Davis, Grant Robertson, Andrew Little, David Parker, Duncan Webb, Rino Tirikatene, Adrian Rurawhe and now Henare. That includes, worryingly, four senior Māori MPs against the backdrop of Labour’s ambition to win all seven Māori electorates. Also Greg and Damien O’Connor have no seats, so may both leave also. Labour only had 16 male MPs elected in 2023, and 8 – 10 of them have left or are leaving.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 18, 2026 06:25 UTC