Parliament’s Word War Escalates | Wellington News

Wellington News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Sep 17, 2026 · 1m

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer was expelled from Parliament after using a highly offensive slur during a debate on move-on orders, sparking outrage and controversy. While accused of directing the term at Assistant Speaker Maureen Pugh, Ngarewa-Packer insists it was not aimed at her personally but used to expose what she sees as a double standard — referencing a prior use by Act MP Brooke van Velden. The incident followed a speech where another Te Pāti Māori member called something “bull crap,” prompting Pugh to remind MPs to uphold parliamentary decorum. Ngarewa-Packer defended…