Sam Uffindell’s private members bill and Winston Peters’ ‘War on Woke’ w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 25th March, 2025

National MP Sam Uffindell lodged his private members bill last week, which the party claims is aimed at ensuring equal voting rights in local government. However, multiple Māori leaders say the bill ignores representation issues and the purpose of Māori wards. 

Māori representation positions on councils and committees aim to ensure and protect representation for Māori, rather than provide a specific privilege. 

Also in politics this past week, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters delivered his State of the Nation speech where he spoke about New Zealand First’s direction moving forward. Among his main new talking points were the party’s ‘War on Woke’ and his plans to ‘Make New Zealand First Again’. 

In our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about Sam Uffindell’s new bill and how the national party would respond to Peters’ new policies, starting with the private members bill.