In a surprise move the government minister Meka Whaitiri is set to resign from Labour and join Te Pati Maori.
RNZ understands Ms Whaitiri, who has been MP for Ikaroa-Rawhiti since a by-election in 2013, will make the announcement later this today at Waipatu Marae in Hastings.
The Prime Minister says he has not spoken to Whaitiri yet, and said her departure was not confirmed.
