Have you ever quit your job? People do it all the time for different reasons.
Maybe they didn’t get the promotion or the pay rise they thought they deserved. Perhaps they’ve reflected on what they really want to do and decided it’s time for a change. Or maybe they just don’t like the boss.
When we’re younger and advancing our careers it can be relatively easy to move jobs for new opportunities. But as we get older the thought of packing it in and starting all over becomes less appealing. At the same time we find ourselves thinking more about what we want to achieve in the remainder of our careers.
We look ahead and ask ourselves do I want to keep doing this? You’re (hopefully) a long time retired, and certainly a long time dead. Why not just go for it and do the things we think will make us happy/satisfied/the world a better place?
As you’re no doubt aware Meka Whaitiri decided to resign as a Labour Party MP and cross the floor to te Pati Māori. Maybe she was disappointed at being overlooked for advancement? Perhaps she felt the things she came to parliament for could better be achieved in another party?
This morning Meka appeared on the Breakfast show to discuss her resignation. She was interviewed informally in her new office by Jenny-May Clarkson, standing next to Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi. Of course the requisite packing boxes in shot, symbolising the move.
I’d expected, not least from the outraged comments I’d seen both in the media and online, that Meka was going to come across as being motivated by self interest. That she would be angry and burning bridges behind her. Of course Rawiri Waititi has a reputation for being a bit of a character that doesn’t shy away from controversy either.
But I didn’t see any of that. I saw two genuine people motivated by advancing the rights and equality that Māori should be entitled to, but do not receive in this country.
"It's my responsibility as a Māori to return back to a political movement that unashamedly is proud to be Māori. That's my natural fit, and there was always come a time where I would transition back to who I am as a Māori,"
"I didn't say I didn't trust the prime minister. What I said is that I went to my trusted sources. My whānau has given 23 long, loyal years of service to the Labour Party.
"We have done the right thing, by ourselves, putting our whakapapa first and I'm not going to apologise about that," she said.
Meka spoke about her coming to Wellington being a calling to help and to aid her people. She said it was her calling to return back to an unapologetically Māori party. A calling deep in her puku, that the timing was right for her and her whanau, and they made the decision.
Looking at her new office, no doubt a step down from where she has come. Looking at that harder road to get re-elected than would have been the case standing for Labour. It is hard to think Meka has done this for any personal gain.
Her caucus, especially her Māori colleagues, no doubt feel hurt and betrayed by this. I certainly understand that, but I think maybe we need a bit of perspective. I’m not saying the way Meka has acted has been blameless, far from it, her lack of communication with Labour has been disrespectful and shabby.
But we all know the game and why some MP’s deeds are laid bare while other MPs, who have done far worse than this, receive less criticism.
We see another example of it in the news today. All this hoo-ha about ACT and National demanding that RNZ release a full transcript of a speech Kiri Allan made at her partner’s leaving function.
Why was there a transcript anyway? It was a personal speech in a private setting not in her capacity as a Minister. Surely even National leaning voters can see this is a pathetic beat up? This sort of thing has led to some asking if the NZ Media single out and bash Māori MPs way more than other MPs?
They certainly are willing to latch on to the attacks from the opposition who target Māori MPs. Do they target right wing Māori MPs in the same way? I'm not so sure. Shane Reti got off lightly with his dishonesty, no one was demanding his resignation.
If you are a female MP you get judged differently than a male colleague. If you're a Green or Labour MP you get treated differently than a National MP. And yes, if you're Māori you get held to a different standard than a pakeha MP by the media.
I assume the media owners and advertisers are not only quite happy with this but encourage it. I don’t think the individuals working in our media are out and out racists, but clearly some of them are willing to go along with the narrative.
Following the interview with Meka Jenny-May spoke to Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, just arrived off a plane back from the UK.
Chris was obviously disappointed, but very much had an attitude of looking forward rather than wanting to dwell on what has happened. He was diplomatic but obviously frustrated by the lack of communication from Meka. Labour will campaign vigorously in Ikaroa-Rāwhiti.
There are concerning things going on right now in Aotearoa. Parties wanting to get in to power who will make things a lot harder for those doing it tough. David Seymour wants to lock more people up. Christopher Luxon is visiting schools telling kids he’ll enable them to do better than he has, and better than their parents have. While planning to pull the rug out from under them by cutting social services that provide a fairer playing field.
The next few years are going to be a difficult time for many and they will need people advocating for them, fighting for them and their families in our parliament. Maybe Meka is leaving Labour out of a belief that she can do more to help people elsewhere. Perhaps she feels she has limited opportunities to do those things where she is.
The way Meka has left will no doubt leave a bitter taste for some. To me it seems so unnecessary to have blind sided her former colleagues in the way she has. I do wonder which “trusted sources” are giving her that advice. But I didn’t get the sense that her departure was purely due to frustration at a lack of personal promotion. I take her at her word that she sees this as the right thing for her and her people.
Maybe I’d feel differently if it was a Green MP. I think perhaps because I’m not a Labour member, but want a progressive government of the Greens, Labour, and possibly te Pāti Māori, I don’t so much mind which of those parties people represent.
The way I see te Pāti Māori and Labour, as a Greens supporter, might be similar to the way Labour Party supporters view the Greens. They aren’t my party but I like most of their policies. I’d be keen to see them in coalition with the party I support - and they’re certainly a lot better in every regard than the opposition parties.
Meka’s resignation wasn’t ideal by any stretch, but let’s put it in perspective. For me there are bigger fish to fry, more worthy targets for our vitriol. I see this like a bit of a falling out in a family. People say things they shouldn’t, or don’t say things they should. Feelings are hurt, relationships damaged. But you’re still whānau.
We’ll see more of this as the election gets closer. Green supporters frustrated with slower progress than they want from Labour. Labour supporters annoyed with those cheeky up start Greens demanding the world when there is an election to be won in the centre, and pragmatism is required.
Healthy debate is good. But don’t forget what the left stands for and that our left wing parties and supporters, our left wing whānau, are stronger together. Whether our home is Labour, the Greens, or te Pāti Māori.
Thanks for this thought provoking post Nick. Must say as a Labour supporter I was disappointed in the manner of Meka’s move however your piece gives a very balanced explanation. Regardless it is so important the three left leaning parties win this election in spite of the mega bucks the right wing donors have paid to enable a nasty Nact result.
The media are rediculous, it's yesterday's news. However, I can't get over her disrespect for the PM, and her refusal to communicate after the event.
The rain will wash it away as the media swivel to politicise water falling from the sky.