Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer was ejected from Parliament by Assistant Speaker Maureen Pugh after admitting she used a profanity during an urgent debate on Move-On orders legislation. According to parliamentary proceedings, the incident unfolded as politicians clashed over language standards, resulting in the removal of two high-profile MPs and a confrontation involving the Sergeant at Arms.
Parliamentary Clash Erupts During Move-On Orders Debate
Politicians were debating the Move-On orders legislation under urgency when Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara delivered a speech using the word “bullcrap”. Assistant Speaker Maureen Pugh immediately interrupted to remind her to “keep the language Parliamentary”. Following this, Green MP Julie Anne Genter took the floor to begin her own speech.
NZ First MP Casey Costello quickly raised a point of order. Costello stated that Ngarewa-Packer had “used a word which I will not use that begins with C … the fact that it has been used once in this house does not make it common use, I find it particularly offensive and disrespectful to you Madam Speaker,” adding that “it was directed at you, Madam Speaker.”
When Ngarewa-Packer rose to address the claim, she defended her remarks by pointing out that “three times the word c— has been used in this House, by the government … so either that word is offensive or bullcrap is.” Asked to sit down by Pugh, Ngarewa-Packer complied while muttering, “Oh, hypocrites.” Pugh immediately ruled that she personally found that remark offensive and ordered the co-leader to leave the chamber.
Did You Know? Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer stated after her ejection that she had used the word in Parliament twice before on previous occasions, while Labour’s Willie Jackson argued that ACT’s Brooke van Velden had also previously used the same word without facing a caution.
Willie Jackson Ejected After Shouting Match
Labour MP Willie Jackson then stood to address the ruling, telling Pugh he did not wish to challenge it, but continued arguing that the word had already been used in front of the Parliament. Despite Pugh’s repeated commands to “sit down, sit down now,” Jackson continued his objections.
As government MPs began shouting at Jackson to leave, a wider shouting match erupted across the chamber. With Jackson refusing to exit, Pugh calmly directed the Sergeant at Arms to “assist Mr Jackson.” Jackson later told reporters outside that he did not cause trouble and eventually left voluntarily after making his point. Pugh subsequently clarified with Oriini Kaipara—who confirmed she never uttered the profanity—and formally apologized to her.
Aftermath and Potential Next Steps
Speaking to reporters outside the chamber alongside Jackson, Ngarewa-Packer explained that her original comment was an aside directed at Kaipara, complaining about politicians “growling” at Kaipara over the word “bullcrap.” She stated that Casey Costello “narked on me” without naming her, leading the Speaker to mistakenly assume the profanity had been directed at the chair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Debbie Ngarewa-Packer ejected from Parliament?
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer was asked to leave after admitting she used a profanity beginning with the letter C during a parliamentary debate, and subsequently calling Assistant Speaker Maureen Pugh and other MPs “hypocrites” when told to sit down.
Who else was removed from the chamber during the debate?
Labour MP Willie Jackson also left the chamber after engaging in a shouting match with other MPs and refusing repeated directions from Assistant Speaker Maureen Pugh to sit down, prompting Pugh to call for the Sergeant at Arms.
Did Oriini Kaipara use the profanity that sparked the incident?
No. Assistant Speaker Maureen Pugh later sought clarification from Oriini Kaipara, who confirmed she had not used the c-word, prompting Pugh to issue an apology to her.
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