Chris Hipkins has confirmed he still hasn't heard from Meka Whaitiri.

Whaitiri has resigned from minister and from the Labour Party, and plans to jump ship to Te Pāti Māori at the next election.

Speaking to Kate Hawkesby from England, the Prime Minister says he's still completely in the dark about why she's suddenly decided to leave.

“She clearly hasn’t spoken to anyone about it. She certainly hadn’t raised any concerns up to the point where she made her announcement. So those are really questions for her I guess.”

Whaitiri is now expected to carry on as an independent MP, but will run under Te Pāti Māori's banner for the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti seat she holds, in this year's election.

LISTEN ABOVE

Chris Hipkins has confirmed he still hasn't heard from Meka Whaitiri.
Whaitiri has resigned from minister and from the Labour Party, and plans to jump ship to Te Pāti Māori at the next election.
Speaking to Kate Hawkesby from England, the Prime Minister says he's still completely in the dark about why she's suddenly decided to leave.
“She clearly hasn’t spoken to anyone about it. She certainly hadn’t raised any concerns up to the point where she made her announcement. So those are really questions for her I guess.”
Whaitiri is now expected to carry on as an independent MP, but will run under Te Pāti Māori's banner for the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti seat she holds, in this year's election.
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.