Labour’s Peeni Henare ‘mistaken’ to claim party would repeal gang patch ban, says deputy leader

Labour MP and Tāmaki Makaurau candidate Peeni Henare this week appeared to commit Labour to repealing the gang patch ban. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Labour MP Peeni Henare, the party’s candidate in the Tāmaki Makaurau byelection, was “mistaken” to claim Labour would repeal the gang patch ban, according to the party’s deputy leader.

Henare appeared to confirm Labour would repeal the ban, which removed the ability to legally wear gang patches in public, during a candidate debate this week with Te Pāti Māori candidate Orini Kaipara.

The commitment came as a surprise, given Labour leader Chris Hipkins had previously indicated he didn’t support a repeal and had long said he would assess its value if Labour returned to Government.

Labour deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni today affirmed to reporters at Parliament that her party would not repeal the ban and wondered whether Labour’s initial opposition to the ban before it became law could have influenced Henare’s comments.

“Certainly no need for a telling off. I think he’s mistaken and, you know, these things happen.”

She maintained the caucus was not confused over its position on the ban and denied the caucus was split over whether to retain it.

Labour deputy Carmel Sepuloni and leader Chris Hipkins have said they would not repeal the patch ban. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Henare has been approached for comment.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith, who led the ban becoming law, initially reacted with disbelief when told Labour would not repeal the ban.

“It shows what [Henare] really thinks, and I wouldn’t trust him for a moment. I think they probably will [repeal it].”

Goldsmith then said Sepuloni should inform Henare of the party’s position and Labour’s justice spokesperson: “I don’t know who that is. Roger somebody, I think his name is.”

Labour’s justice spokesperson is Duncan Webb. Labour has no MPs named Roger.

Asked what Labour MP he was referring to, Goldsmith said: “I can’t remember.”

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.