A rift in the Māori political movement deepened at the 2026 Waitangi commemorations after Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi apologized for expelling an elder’s mother, sparking debate over tikanga and leadership.

At the 2026 Waitangi commemorations, a public exchange between Ngāpuhi elder Eru Kapa-Kingi and Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi exposed deep rifts within the Māori political movement, following the party’s expulsion of Kapa-Kingi’s mother. Waititi apologized and called for reconciliation, prompting a haka tautoko by his wife that sparked online debate over tikanga versus personal motives. While some leaders welcomed the gesture as a step toward unity, others warned that focus should remain on systemic threats like the Treaty Principles Bill and erosion of Māori authority in health, education, and language, urging stronger, accountable leadership to confront these challenges.