Oriini Kaipara has confirmed her loyalty to Te Pāti Māori after conflicting statements were made to different media outlets.
Photo: VNP/Phil Smith
Oriini Kaipara has confirmed her loyalty to Te Pāti Māori after conflicting statements were made by her spokesperson to different media outlets, as the party announces it will make a formal complaint.
Stuff has since published more information regarding the conflicting statements, including correspondence between the Stuff reporter and Kaipara’s media spokesperson.
In a social media post, Kaipara said she wanted to “correct the narrative” that was reported on Monday evening by Stuff that she was “still considering options” in response to a question asking if she would stay with Te Pāti Māori (TPM).
“I confirm that the comments claiming to be mine are not. I did not and have not spoken with any reporter on this matter,” Kaipara said on social media.
Stuff has acknowledged Kaipara did not speak directly to the reporter, however, in the correspondence between the reporter and Kaipara’s media spokesperson, the comments were attributed to Kaipara.
This was common practice between journalists and communications staff.
In some instances, comments were attributed to a spokesperson for the MP. In this case, as Stuff reported, the comments were attributable to Kaipara herself.
The message in response to a question asking if Kaipara was open to joining another party stated “Oriini Kaipara – I am still considering my options that will enable me to better serve my community.”
“My focus is always will be what’s best for Tāmaki Makaurau,” the message finished.
It comes after Mariameno Kapa-Kingi announced she was quitting to start a new party, named after her electorate Te Tai Tokerau.
Speaking to RNZ on Monday night, Kaipara’s recently appointed communications advisor confirmed Kaipara would not be following suit and was committed to running for TPM.
The spokesperson said he made a mistake by telling Stuff that Kaipara said she was “considering options”.
Kaipara’s social media post later emphasised she remained a “committed member of Te Pāti Māori, committed to Tāmaki Makaurau, and committed to making this a one term government.”
Earlier on Monday, following Kapa-Kingi’s announcement, a statement attributed to Kaipara was circulated to some media.
This acknowledged Kapa-Kingi’s announcement, and Kaipara’s commitment to Tāmaki Makaurau, including a clear understanding her electorate crosses through Te Tai Tokerau and Hauraki-Waikato.
She said she naturally worked closely with Kapa-Kingi and Hauraki-Waikato MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, “this will not change.”
(From left) Te Pāti Māori MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, Tākuta Ferris and Oriini Kaipara in 2025.
Photo: RNZ / Layla Bailey-McDowell
Stuff later reported Kaipara “says she is considering leaving Te Pāti Māori, and could join another party ahead of November’s election”.
RNZ sought confirmation from Kaipara’s communications advisor, who explained the statement provided to Stuff had been a mistake.
Kaipara’s clarification on social media came through late Monday evening, in which she also said she would make no further comment on the matter.
Te Pāti Māori also issued a statement late on Monday evening, to “correct an inaccuracy in Stuff and ThreeNews reporting”.
The statement said it was “incorrect” a reporter had said they had had a conversation with Kaipara.
“Oriini confirms she has not spoken with any Stuff reporter, and any comments attributed to her are not hers.
“For the sake of accuracy, we ask that this be corrected across all relevant media sites as soon as possible.
“We will be making a formal complaint, as the reporter misled our co-leader during the interview. We also request an apology from Stuff and ThreeNews.”
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