Luxon says his photo with gang members differs from opposition photos

National leader Christopher Luxon has said his photo with gang members is different from photos posted by opposition parties. RNZ The photos were posted by Harry Tam. One shows Luxon with Black Power members, taken at the Crown apology to survivors of abuse in care. Another shows Labour leader Chris Hipkins with a man Tam said was a gang member.

Luxon said there was a big difference between his photo and those of former Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni, and those of Green and Te Pāti Māori candidates. He said photos taken in public roles, or in conversations about abuse and state care, should not be misinterpreted as requests for gang votes.

Luxon also said abuse in state care "might well play a role" in people joining gangs. He said there was "heaps of support" for people who want to leave gangs. When pressed, he could not name a specific programme. RNZ

Hipkins said he could not recall the photo of himself with the man Tam described as a gang member. He noted the man was not wearing a patch, the insignia gang members wear on their jackets. Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong said it was impossible to vet every person she had taken a photo with.

National MP Tama Potaka has also faced questions over a photo with Mongrel Mob members. Potaka said the photo was taken at a public hui, or gathering, organised by the Kiingitanga in 2024, before the ban on gang patches. RNZ Hipkins accused Luxon of hypocrisy over the photo. Luxon and National police spokesperson Mark Mitchell defended Potaka. NZ Herald

Mitchell said National would "govern for everyone" and would help people trying to leave gangs. He described politicians visiting gang pads, the places gangs gather, as "perverse". He said gang pads were places where violence against women took place. RNZ