Watch live: Meka Whaitiri defection shock hits Question Time

Meka Whaitiri has ditched Labour, but will remain an MP as an independent representing Ikaroa Rāwhiti, Speaker Adrian Rurawhe says.

By resigning from Labour, and saying she had joined the Māori Party, her future in Parliament remained uncertain.

Whaitiri earlier said she wanted to remain the MP for Ikaroa Rāwhiti – and sit with the Māori Party until the election.

“Meka Whaitiri is from today regarded as an independent member for parliamentary purposes,” Rurawhe told the House ahead of question time on Wednesday.

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* Meka Whaitiri quits as a Labour minister, confirms defection to Māori Party
* Meka Whaitiri leaves Labour for Māori Party, blindsiding the PM: here’s what we know

Acting Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni said Labour would not push for her to be removed as an MP.

Māori Party president John Tamihere said the party was speaking with Rurawhe on Wednesday morning about Whaitiri continuing as an MP. He said it was “a legal issue” the party was hoping to resolve with the Speaker.

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