Full Breakdown
New Zealand Politicians Face Backlash Over Photos With Gang Members
By Drooid · · How we work
Background & Context
During the 2023-2024 election cycle, several New Zealand politicians were photographed with members of outlaw gangs, notably the Mongrel Mob and Black Power. The images sparked public criticism because they appeared to blur the line between political outreach and endorsement of groups linked to criminal activity. The controversy intensified after a video showed Labour’s Tamaki Makaurau candidate Kerrin Leoni appearing to campaign alongside Mongrel Mob members, prompting her resignation.
Key Figures & Groups
- Erica Stanford – National Party MP, appeared with Black Power member and state-care abuse survivor Albie Epere while representing the government in the Abuse in State Care inquiry.
- Christopher Luxon – National Party leader, criticised by Labour leader Chris Hipkins for perceived double standards.
- Kerrin Leoni – Former Labour candidate for Tamaki Makaurau, resigned after the gang-association footage surfaced.
- Chris Hipkins – Labour leader, accused Luxon of hypocrisy over the photo issue.
- Tama Potaka – National Party MP, posed with patched Mongrel Mob members at a Kingitanga hui in 2023 and again in 2024 before the party’s gang-patch ban took effect.
Timeline
- October 3 (2023) – Leoni attended a gathering she described as a “whanau event” with Mongrel Mob members; the footage later led to her resignation.
- 2023-2024 – National MPs Erica Stanford and Tama Potaka were photographed with Black Power and Mongrel Mob members, respectively, during official events.
- Early 2024 – Labour leader Chris Hipkins publicly called Luxon’s response to the photos a “massive double standard.”
- Friday, 2024 – Leoni stepped down as Labour’s candidate following Hipkins’ remarks.
Official Statements & Responses
National MP Tama Potaka explained his photo with patched gang members as a result of an old school friend’s request at a “massive public hui,” noting it occurred before the party’s gang-patch ban was implemented. Labour leader Chris Hipkins asserted that Luxon’s downplaying of the issue demonstrated hypocrisy, contrasting the party’s handling of the photos with its criticism of opposition figures.
Why It Matters
The episode highlights the delicate balance New Zealand politicians must maintain when engaging with communities that include gang affiliates. Critics argue that such images risk normalising criminal groups, while officials claim they are part of broader outreach to marginalized groups. The controversy has prompted calls for clearer guidelines on political interactions with gang members and reinforced scrutiny of candidates’ associations ahead of upcoming elections.