2 Oct 2023

National says gang members have threatened its candidates

From Checkpoint, 5:43 pm on 2 October 2023

National says its candidates have been subject to incidents of violence and intimidation during the election campaign.

Its campaign chair says one candidate has been forced to move house after a gang threat.

Another candidate had a bottle of beer thrown over them and had their house broken into.

Some volunteers have been subject to death threats, intimidation and a dog attack.

Last week, Te Pati Maori candidate Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke had her home invaded and vandalised in an attack the party says was politically motivated.

As well as that, Labour candidate Angela Roberts says she was slapped on both cheeks during an election debate.

National's Auckland central candidate Mahesh Muralidhar was filmed in a restaurant wearing his blue National Party jacket.

The video has now been shared with a gang boss narrating over the top.

Mahesh speaks to Susana Lei'ataua.

Show status: Off air

Get the RNZ app

for easy access to all your favourite programmes

Subscribe to Checkpoint

Podcast (MP3) Oggcast (Vorbis)