A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
Opinion
To my mind, Meka Whaitiri’s removal from her ministerial and associate portfolios is deeply unfortunate for te Tairawhiti, given the relevance of her roles to our region — which included Minister of Customs, Associate Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Local Government and Crown/Maori Relations.
Worse, however, Meka has been punished without
trial.
Despite disputing the alleged victim’s account of events, she has still been removed of her responsibilities.
Nevertheless, I would say to you Meka, stay strong, and remember those who have gone before. I’m thinking specifically here about the Trevor Mallard and Tau Henare stoush on October 27, 2007.
As the NZ Herald reported: ‘Trevor Mallard and Tau Henare came to blows at Parliament yesterday after the National MP accused the minister of being a hypocrite. It is believed Mr Mallard struck Mr Henare during a heated argument in a lobby outside the parliamentary debating chamber and the pair had to be prised apart.”
