Labour caught out courting gang votes

“You can't pick your whānau, but you can pick where you campaign. Chris Hipkins has been caught out lecturing other parties about their judgement while his candidates campaign with gang members,” says ACT Deputy Leader Nicole McKee.

“Footage has circulated of Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni wearing Labour campaign branding, standing alongside her hoardings, and encouraging people to vote at a Mongrel Mob event. It shows once again why we need to lock Labour out.

“It also shows what's at stake this election. On the left you have two parties openly campaigning for gang votes, and one trying to do it secretly. Meanwhile ACT has restored Three Strikes for serious violent and sexual offending, redirected funding away from gang-run programmes towards victims and crime prevention, and is campaigning to extend Three Strikes to burglary."

"Chris Hipkins has tried desperately to distance himself from TPM and the Greens and their pro-gang antics. He can't distance himself from his own candidates when they have been caught soliciting votes and fundraising from gangs though. I wonder how many donations she got, and where that money came from?

“Even now he is saying that campaigning with gang members is acceptable, so long as it's not at their pad. What sort of distinction is that?

"Ms Leoni says she wants to be a role model for her whānau. A role model would condemn the criminal behaviour that is ruining so many lives."