Maori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi has again been ejected from the House after taking aim at what he called "racist" rhetoric by the National Party. Speaking to media outside the House today, Watiti said the Maori Party was "sick and tired of Maori being used as a political football". That means his party is prepared to leave the House again if he feels the same "racist" rhetoric from National continues. "It's not about shutting down the National Party – it's about shutting down racist rhetoric." Waititi said he would have liked a few members of Labour's caucus to follow the Maori Party out of the chamber today as well.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 12, 2021 03:56 UTC