Detective Superintendent Ross McKay is heading an investigation into Te Pāti Māori over claims of census data misuse, following allegations from former Manurewa Marae workers that private census information was photocopied and used for voter targeting before the 2023 general election.
The allegations prompted separate inquiries by Stats NZ and the Public Service Commission, whose findings remain undisclosed.
On June 7, 2024, Te Pāti Māori leaders formally requested an investigation, asserting their innocence and criticizing media coverage for turning the issue into a racial debate.
Police Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham assigned McKay to the case, assuring updates would follow.
However, by October, party leaders had yet to be interviewed, prompting them to demand an update. Police responded that interviews were forthcoming, yet four months later, no contact had been made.
When pressed last week, police confirmed the investigation remains ongoing but declined to provide further details.
Should have been done and dusted . Maori party should have been deregistered by now.
Let’s not forget, these are all corporations.
Why so long?