Greens “unapologetic” over a Mongrel Mob meeting as National cries foul
National is criticising a social media post by Mongrel Mob lifetime member Harry Tam that shows Green MPs Hūhana Lyndon and Michel Mulipola, and Te Pāti Māori MPs Oriini Kaipara and Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, at a gathering the post links to whānau and health (RNZ). RNZ reported the Greens as “unapologetic”. The Herald reported that Chlöe Swarbrick wants more information about the meeting, while Marama Davidson said she was proud of such engagements and that the party has done them year after year. Stuff reported that the Greens and Te Pāti Māori caught up with the Mob on the campaign trail.
Gang policy is a favourite campaign contrast. How a party explains its contact with gang members shows how it would handle the issue in government.
No policy has changed. The row is about contact and message, and you will hear more of it from both sides.
The Greens’ case is that engaging with communities, including gang members, is long-standing practice.
National’s case is that meeting a gang during a campaign sends the wrong signal.
The useful question is what the meeting was for. Watch for detail from the Greens and Te Pāti Māori beyond “we engage”.
DailyDrop New Zealand edition No. 11 · Morning · THU., OCT. 15, 2026