National backbench MP Harete Hipango has deleted a post showing her attending another COVID-19 anti-vaccine mandate and lockdown protest.
Hipango posted photos of herself smiling in front of the vaccine protest group Voices for Freedom in Whanganui on Saturday, as they held signs such as "truth will prevail" and "coercion is not consent".
In a sympathetic message accompanying the photos, Hipango wrote about freedom and choice and said people were being branded as hate speakers, misinformers and anti-vaxxers for their views.
Her post was subsequently deleted after a discussion with National leader Christopher Luxon.
"I have taken down the Facebook post I made earlier today - it has been pointed out to me that it could convey an anti-vaccination message which was never my intention," she said in a statement.
"I am vaccinated, and like the rest of the National Party I strongly support vaccination for our whanau and communities."
Luxon also commented, saying the views of the group Hipango was with "do not align with those of the National Party".
"I have talked to Harete and she has taken her post down," he said in the statement.
"I am strongly supportive of vaccination, as is the National party. I encourage everyone to take that step as the best protection, for themselves and their family, against COVID."
It's the second time Hipango has been spotted attending a COVID-19 protest.
She was seen at a heated demonstration in November that forced Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to cancel a visit to a vaccination clinic.
"I'm here to support my community," she said, when asked if she was there to support the protest.
She left soon afterwards, claiming she thought it was a protest about something else.
