National and ACT have slammed Te Pāti Māori for "grossly exaggerated claims" after the police disputed the party's claim that its candidate's home was targeted in a "politically motivated attack".
Te Pāti Māori released a late-night statement on Wednesday saying candidate Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke's home was invaded again. It said an elderly Pākeha man was issued a trespass notice and claimed he was a "well-known" advocate and campaigner for the National Party.
Now, the National Party has defended its member - Graham Gunn – who told Newshub he was unfairly accused.
Gunn said he recently spoke to Maipi-Clark at a local event and claims he was impressed by her and upon seeing a poll recent this week that she was tracking closely behind the incumbent he visited her home with the intention of congratulating her.
"The individual was invited inside but she was not available so they returned home. Another person from the home then went to the party member’s home and asked for their name and phone number so he could update them on Maipi-Clarke’s campaign," National said.
But on Thursday, Gunn was issued a trespass notice.
"It is incredibly disappointing and upsetting for this individual to be dragged into a political stunt like this," National said in a statement.
However, this isn't the first time Te Pāti Māori has made these claims.
Earlier this week, the party also claimed the same home was invaded and vandalised in a "politically motivated attack" last week.
"This escalation of danger is what happens when right-wing politicians race-bait and fearmonger for votes," Te Pāti Māori said.
Maipi-Clark said during that "invasion" her home was ram-raided and she was "threatened".
However, on Thursday, police said they do not believe any of the incidents were "racially motivated or coordinated".
They added that an election hoarding was stolen from the property last week but noted several other signs from a range of political parties had been damaged or defaced in the area.
The police went on to say the incident was incorrectly reported as a ram-raid and was instead a theft.
Weighing in on the discussion, ACT Party leader David Seymour said Te Pāti Māori's claims shows "politics at its lowest".
"Police reports show that Te Pāti Māori has played fast and loose with the truth in their characterisation of an alleged home invasion," Seymour said.
"They should apologise to all the genuine victims of serious crimes for making misleading criminal claims so they can play the victim."
In response to the police statement, Te Pāti Māori President John Tamihere told Newshub it was a "whitewash".
