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Summarised by Centrist
The Green Party is standing by a candidate who posted a video of himself tearing a New Zealand flag in half, with co-leader Marama Davidson downplaying the incident and framing his past behaviour as part of broader activism.
Michel Mulipola, running in Māngere, shared the video before becoming a candidate, showing him ripping the flag during a public event.
Davidson initially said she was unaware of the video, but described Mulipola as a “strong, outspoken advocate” who has worked to expose “racism, injustice, unfairness for the community.”
After viewing the footage, she said the act was “not an approach that the Green Party would take,” but added she was “not personally attached to our flag,” while acknowledging “there’s an issue in law.”
Mulipola has also faced criticism for slurs aimed at ACT leader David Seymour and the Police. Davidson defended this, saying his “emotion was a ‘strength’” and reflected “real, lived experience” from communities who feel “under-served.”
Seymour rejected that defence, calling it “disgusting” and warning that it risks justifying behaviour based on anger alone. “That’s the path to political violence,” he said.
Davidson maintained the behaviour predates Mulipola’s candidacy and does not reflect the party’s standards, saying both he and the Greens are committed to a “different approach” going forward.
Mulipola echoed that, saying his past actions were as a private citizen and that he is now committed to “positive and respectful expression” as a candidate.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters was more direct, saying Mulipola “shouldn’t be coming to Parliament.” He criticised what he described as declining standards in candidate selection.
Image: Uniquelydave
