Claims Te Pāti Māori tried to oust ill MP ‘brought clarity to matters long carried in silence’ – MP’s family

The late MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp (left) with Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere. Photo / Mike Scott

Family of the late Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp say an interview that featured allegations the party sought to oust Kemp as she battled kidney disease “brought clarity to matters long carried in silence”.

The statement also referenced the family’s efforts “recouping the costs of her tangihanga”, having set up a Givealittle page and arranging a fundraising dinner in Auckland this weekend.

The interview, conducted by RNZ with expelled Te Pāti Māori MP Tākuta Ferris, contained several serious allegations against the party in what is the latest development in the deepening division between the party and expelled MPs Ferris and Mariameno Kapa-Kingi.

Ferris, speaking to RNZ’s Mata programme, claimed the party’s leadership had attempted to remove Kemp from her Tāmaki Makaurau seat during a time she was ill and before her eventual death in June.

Ferris claimed discussions earlier this year had taken place between himself, Kemp, Kapa-Kingi and MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, during which the four MPs agreed an “intervention” related to the party’s leaders was required. However, Kemp died the week after, according to Ferris.

He also referenced the decision to take Kemp’s body to a West Auckland marae after her passing, which he claimed had been made without her parents knowing. He alleged Kemp’s parents found out via the radio.

Ferris described the party’s alleged actions towards Kemp as “the most despicable behaviour”, adding he thought Kemp’s successor Oriini Kaipara was being bullied by the party.

Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere declined to comment to RNZ, saying he wouldn’t respond to “any matters based on hearsay, innuendo, accusation or insinuation”.

A statement published this morning in the name of Kemp’s son Temanea Kauika-Quinlan referenced Ferris’ interview as he spoke of the whānau’s ongoing grief.

“We acknowledge the recent interview shared online.

“Although still very raw, it has brought clarity to matters long carried in silence, and our whānau will respond in our own time and in our own way.”

Kauika-Quinlan said the whānau were fundraising to pay for Kemp’s funeral, including setting up a Givealittle page and inviting people to attend a memorial dinner in South Auckland on Sunday.

As at 3.30pm, more than $4300 had been donated to the page.

The “dinner for Tarsh” would be held at the Due Drops Event Centre in Manukau City from 4.30pm to 9pm.

Tickets were priced at $207.50. It also advertised purchasing a table of 10 for $2075.

Te Pāti Māori has been contacted for comment regarding the family’s statement and the fundraising efforts.

Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.