Hauraki-Waikato constituents are livid their Member of Parliament, Nanaia Mahuta has been demoted on Labour's party list.
It's a decision Waikato-Tainui stalwart Tukoroirangi Morgan warns will have grave consequences.
“It's the ultimate uninformed decision by their leader Andrew Little who doesn't understand Māori views and customs. To belittle our member, undoubtedly, will come back to bite the Labour Party,” said Morgan.
According to a Hamilton-based kaumātua group, Te Rauawawa, Nanaia has always been a strong supporter of the group and people like her father Sir Robert Mahuta.
Pare Meha (Ngāti Kahungungu) believes, “How dare they! That woman is our walking wonder. She comes to Te Rauawaawa all the time, she has been coming for years and her heart is for her constituents.”
Morgan added, “How would we benefit from supporting Labour, if their own Māori members are demoted? I t says that they don't value Māori voters.”
Despite her critiques, the support of her constituents will continue.