The leader of the New Zealand First Party, Winston Peters, has continued to assert his belief that MÄori are not indigenous, despite facing backlash and condemnation from various political leaders. During a meeting, Mr. Peters, who is of MÄori and Scottish descent, stated, “Here’s the rub if you are MÄoriāwe’re not indigenous.” He argued that the ancestral homeland of MÄori, Hawai-iki, is located in the Cook Islands and that MÄori trace their DNA back to China, unlike indigenous Australians.
Mr. Peters has stood by his statement in subsequent interviews and public appearances, referring to it as a “plain fact.” He emphasized that all iwi, including his own, are aware of their whakapapa (genealogy) and narrative. Despite facing criticism, he questioned why stating a fact would spark such controversy, citing the support of late MÄori leaders Sir Peter Buck and Sir Apirana Ngata for such views. Mr. Peters also cautioned against claiming special rights based on earlier settlement, as it would exclude others.
Leaders from the Labour Party, National Party, and ACT have expressed their disagreement with Mr. Peters’ statement. Labour Prime Minister Chris Hipkins labeled it another example of NZ First’s divisive policies. National Leader Christopher Luxon asserted that MÄori are unquestionably indigenous to New Zealand, while ACT Leader David Seymour described the comments as “ugly.” Mr. Peters, however, has not backed down, maintaining that he was simply stating the obvious.
Casey Costello, a MÄori and Anglo-Irish candidate for NZ First, believed that the media’s focus on Mr. Peters’ comments distracted from more important issues. She argued that discussions about improving outcomes and accountability should take precedence. Ms. Costello suggested that the intense criticism of Mr. Peters’ statement reflected a reluctance to have open and honest conversations about race, fearing offense or hostility. She emphasized the need for genuine dialogue to reach meaningful solutions.