The party’s leaders wrote to authorities last year asking for the investigation “in order to prove our innocence”.
One of the country’s top cops, Detective Superintendent Ross McKay, is leading a team of investigators in the inquiry into Te Pāti Māori over allegations of census data misuse.
The allegations stem from a group of former workers at Manurewa Marae who said private data from Census forms was photocopied and entered into a database they believed Te Pāti Māori used to target voters ahead of the general election in 2023.
Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Rawiri Waititi (left) and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer at Parliament in 2024. Photo / Marty Melville
Those allegations also sparked two high-level inquiries by Stats NZ and the Public Service Commission, which have yet to be publicly released.
On June 7, 2024, Te Pāti Māori leaders wrote to then-Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Police Minister Mark Mitchell asking for their party to be investigated.
“We write on behalf of Te Pāti Māori, requesting that the New Zealand Police launch an official investigation into the allegations that have been raised against Te Pāti Māori,” the letter said.
“These allegations have seen Te Pāti Māori, its president, and its MPs deemed guilty in the court of public opinion.
“It is our firm view that the allegations are baseless innuendo. We are yet to see a shred of evidence to support these claims.
Police Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham.
“The media has turned this matter into a race debate. We demand the New Zealand Police launch a thorough and efficient investigation in order to prove our innocence and clear the good names of those accused.”
“Thank you for your letter of 7 June 2024 addressed to the Commissioner of Police requesting Police initiate an investigation into the recent allegations raised against Te Pāti Māori.
“Your letter was provided to me for response as the Assistant Commissioner Investigations.
“I have assigned this matter to Detective Superintendent Ross McKay, who has in turn assembled a small investigation team to review the wider matter, liaise with other agencies and consider the response from Police.
“I anticipate Detective Superintendent Ross McKay will make contact in due course to provide an update.”
On October 9 the co-leaders wrote back asking why none of their MPs or president had been interviewed over the allegations, and requesting an update on the investigation.
On October 22 Basham replied: “The New Zealand Police investigation as requested by Te Pāti Māori is progressing well.
“We currently plan to be able to communicate directly with Te Pāti Māori and schedule interviews with members of your leadership team within the next 2-3 weeks.
“The investigation team will be in direct contact in the near future, and we look forward to the opportunity to speak to your team directly.”
Four months later, party leaders have yet to hear from investigators, a Te Pāti Māori spokesperson told the Herald.
