Full Breakdown
Maori Party Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer Ejected After Using C-word in Parliament
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Incident
During a parliamentary debate on legislation affecting homelessness, Maori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer used a vulgar term beginning with “c” while defending herself against a prior remark. The Speaker ordered her to leave the chamber, and Sergeant-at-Arms was summoned to escort her out. Ngarewa-Packer later told reporters she had used the word twice before in the House and argued that precedent had already been set.
Background & Context
The controversy echoes a previous episode in which National Party MP Simon Van Velden quoted a newspaper column that printed the same slur last year, prompting criticism that the term was being used to denigrate Maori members. New Zealand First MP Casey Costello claimed the slur had originally been directed at Speaker Adrian Pugh. Ngarewa-Packer acknowledged the repeated use but maintained it was not aimed at Pugh.
Official Statements & Responses
Labour MP Willie Jackson condemned the decision to remove Ngarewa-Packer, calling it “hypocrisy in the House” and defending her right to use the language as an affirmation of mana wahine. He added that he was not trying to cause trouble, merely to make a point. Speaker Pugh instructed the clerk to inform the Sergeant-at-Arms if needed. Kaipara, speaking on the debate’s focus, described the dispute as “semantics,” questioning whether “bull-crap” is more offensive than the c-word and noting that the legislation in question impacts roughly 112,000 homeless New Zealanders. She labeled the focus on the word a “smoke-screen” diverting attention from larger issues.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s a shocking decision, Madam Speaker,” — Labour’s Willie Jackson