ACT Party leader David Seymour says Te Pāti Māori should be penalised for shunning their Privileges Committee hearing.

Co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi instead called a press conference and confirmed they intended to hold their own hearing at Parliament on May 7.

Seymour says he's not trying to influence the Committee - but he's suggested they recommend cutting the MPs’ pay.

"What you just heard is a group of people who will continue to undermine the institution of Parliament, and therefore those New Zealanders - the overwhelming majority of New Zealanders from every background who are grateful to live in one of the most successful Parliamentary democracies in human history - they're thumbing their noses at all of us."

LISTEN ABOVE

ACT Party leader David Seymour says Te Pāti Māori should be penalised for shunning their Privileges Committee hearing.
Co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi instead called a press conference and confirmed they intended to hold their own hearing at Parliament on May 7.
Seymour says he's not trying to influence the Committee - but he's suggested they recommend cutting the MPs’ pay.
"What you just heard is a group of people who will continue to undermine the institution of Parliament, and therefore those New Zealanders - the overwhelming majority of New Zealanders from every background who are grateful to live in one of the most successful Parliamentary democracies in human history - they're thumbing their noses at all of us."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

David Seymour: ACT Party leader criticises Te Pāti Māori for skipping their hearing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1a834e8b-c9ef-4d92-bae3-b2b3005de0c6/transcript