Labour leader Chris Hipkins decries Christopher Luxon’s ‘hypocrisy’ after National MP’s photo with patched Mongrel Mob members emerges
Labour leader Chris Hipkins is criticising National’s Christopher Luxon for “hypocrisy” and a “massive double standard” as the National leader downplays a National MP’s photo with gang members.
It comes as Luxon and National have used the resignation of Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni over campaigning at a gang event to attack Labour’s record on law and order.
A photo has emerged of Potaka at the 2024 Hui-ā-motu event, convened by the late Kīngi Tūheitia three years ago, posing for a picture alongside patched gang members.
Potaka told the Herald it was a “massive public hui” and was approached by an old school friend who asked to have a photo together. It was prior to National’s gang patch ban coming into force.
Potaka argued it was a “very very distinct circumstance” to the event Leoni attended.
Asked whether he would be happy taking a similar photo again, Potaka said he didn’t have anything further to add but had noted it was not during a campaign period and the patch ban was now in place.
Speaking to the media in Auckland earlier today, Luxon said he was aware of the photo, which he understood had been taken at a Kīngitanga event, but had not seen it himself.
Luxon said he had not spoken to Potaka about the photograph but rejected suggestions it undermined National’s stance on gangs.
“He had a photo with a gang member at a big event... he’s not raising funds for the Mongrel Mob.”
National police spokesman Mark Mitchell said he had spoken to Potaka about the photo.
“He wasn’t campaigning, he wasn’t engaging gang members to ask them to get organised to vote for the National Party.”
Mitchell said there was a clear distinction between being approached by gang members at a public event and deliberately attending a gang fundraiser.
“I’ve had gang members approach me at public events. I’ve been very clear with them and suggested to them they might want to leave the gang.”
Mitchell said Potaka had been put in a position where someone wanted to take a photograph with him and he did not want to cause a scene.
“I wouldn’t read anything into that other than the fact that they were trying to take a photo opportunity with him in the Kīngitanga and he was trying to be respectful and not create a scene.”
Challenged over National’s previous criticism of politicians being photographed with gang members, Mitchell rejected the comparison.
Hipkins, speaking to media in Wellington, said Luxon had made associating with gangs a “huge issue” in the campaign.
“He now needs to answer why he thinks National MPs should be held to a different standard, to the standard he demands of others.”
Asked about Luxon’s claim Labour wasn’t consistent in its position on gang association, Hipkins said: “I’m astounded to have those claims from Christopher Luxon today, if anyone is exhibiting they have a massive double standard, it’s Christopher Luxon.”
He rejected the suggestion Leoni’s resignation had tanked his campaign.
“Absolutely not, the National Party can explain their own hypocrisy.”
There had been conflicting accounts regarding whether any fundraising took place at the event Leoni attended.
Asked if he was certain funds from the event hadn’t been given to Leoni’s campaign, Hipkins said he was confident but would get his team to “triple-check”.
On Friday, Mongrel Mob life member Harry Tam posted to social media a photo of Hipkins and an apparent gang member, although a patch was not visible in the photo.
Hipkins said he didn’t recall the photo, noting politicians didn’t always know who they were taking photos with.
“How would you know? I mean, we’re about to go for a walkout through a shopping mall where we have hundreds of photos, how would you know who they are?”
The controversy follows a turbulent week for Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori after politicians and candidates were photographed alongside patched Mongrel Mob members.
Te Pāti Māori MPs Oriini Kaipara and Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, alongside Green MP Hūhana Lyndon and candidate Michel Mulipola, this month attended a Mongrel Mob gathering described as a whānau, health and wellbeing election hui.
Photographs of the politicians posing with gang members, including Tam, sparked criticism from National.
Hipkins described the visit as a serious error of judgment and ruled out giving the Greens or Te Pāti Māori police and corrections portfolios in a future government.
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson defended the visit, saying her party would continue engaging with gang members.
The controversy deepened on Thursday when footage emerged of Labour’s Tāmaki Makaurau candidate Kerrin Leoni appearing to campaign alongside Mongrel Mob members.
The video showed Leoni wearing Labour-branded clothing, holding campaign material and encouraging people to vote.
Leoni maintained she had attended a whānau gathering where some relatives were gang members, rather than visiting a gang pad.
However, she resigned as Labour’s candidate on Friday after Hipkins said the footage was inconsistent with the standards he expected.
Her name will remain on ballot papers because nominations have closed.
Luxon and National MPs had pointed to Leoni’s resignation and the Greens/Te Pāti Māori visit as evidence of a potential Labour-led coalition’s tolerance of gangs in contrast to National’s opposition to any engagement.
Luxon had his own somewhat comical interaction while on a walkabout on Auckland’s Viaduct on Saturday, running into a stag do where the stag was sporting a Mongrel Mob patch drawn on his bare back. On his front was the message, “Vote Labour”.
Luxon had been chatting amicably with the stag and the rest of his party but upon seeing the drawings, laughed and left the group.
Minutes earlier, Luxon had happened upon a hens do with the bride-to-be wearing a swimsuit, swim cap, goggles and snorkel.
Being reminded of her hens do bingo item to kiss a bald man’s head, the bride-to-be reached up and pulled the Prime Minister’s head down and kissed it.
A little taken aback, Luxon then crouched slightly so the bride-to-be could plant another one on his head to the enjoyment of her posse.
She remarked, “Best bald head ever”. As the hens do carried on, Luxon observed, “They look like fun”.
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