Casey Costello says she had no involvement in Māori Wardens attending Heal the Nation hīkoi

Associate Minister of Police Casey Costello says she had no involvement in Māori Wardens attending the Heal the Nation hīkoi, confirming their deployment was independent and not directed by government or police.

In a formal statement, Costello said Māori Wardens operate autonomously under their own legal authority.

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Image: Māori Wardens appear inside a rental van paid for by Hobson's Pledge in a TikTok video posted by Heal the Nation organiser Martel Wikeepa, also known as Shubz, during the tour funded through public donations and external support from Hobson's Pledge. Their presence has drawn attention amid ongoing scrutiny over the fundraiser’s finances, governance, and accountability after organiser Corina Shields closed the Givealittle campaign after raising more than $13,000 from donors. (TikTok / @shubzlive)

“Māori Wardens are an operationally independent group and act in their official capacity under the Māori Community Development Act 1962,” she said in a statement to thisquality.

“As Associate Minister of Police I do not have any involvement or influence in deployment or operational decisions involving Māori Wardens.”

Police did not direct the wardens to attend the hīkoi, although officers monitored the events.

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“I am advised that Police were aware of and monitored this hīkoi, and did not direct the Māori Wardens’ deployment, as this was an operational matter for the Māori Wardens themselves,” she said.

Her statement confirmed that while Māori Wardens work alongside police under a Takai Here Memorandum of Understanding, the agreement does not give police or ministers authority over wardens’ operational decisions. The memorandum covers cooperation, training, and access to vehicles, but does not remove the wardens’ independence.

Māori Wardens receive government funding administered by Te Puni Kōkiri, as outlined in Budget 2025, although Costello noted the funding does not cover all of their operational costs.

“Te Puni Kōkiri manages their funding,” she said.

Video: Corina Shields (left), Martel Wikeepa, also known as Shubz (centre), and media manager Skye (right) playing loud music while travelling in the rental van, paid for by Hobson’s Pledge, to Wellington. (@auntyheihei7 / TikTok)

The Heal the Nation tour, organised by Corina Shields and Martel Wikeepa, has faced scrutiny over its fundraising and logistical support, including confirmed assistance from political advocacy group Hobson’s Pledge.

Former Reserve Bank Governor Don Brash, on behalf of Hobson’s Pledge, acknowledged the organisation provided funding for vehicle hire linked to travel associated with the tour. The nature and extent of support provided to the movement has drawn public attention.

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Image: A Māori Warden on duty. Māori Wardens operate independently under the Māori Community Development Act and are tasked with supporting community safety and wellbeing. (File / Wiremu T / Courtesy of Quiet Pact Network)

Māori Wardens were present at some Heal the Nation events, prompting questions about how their attendance was arranged and whether they were invited by organisers or attended independently in their community safety role.

Costello’s statement confirmed ministers and police did not direct Māori Wardens to attend, and that deployment decisions are made independently by Māori Wardens themselves.

Image: The Givealittle fundraising page for the Heal The Nation – Iwi Whakamahu tour showing $13,036 raised from 114 donors before the campaign was closed by its organiser amid growing scrutiny over finances and accountability. (File / Screenshot courtesy of Givealittle)

The circumstances surrounding how Māori Wardens came to be present at the events remain a matter for their own operational leadership.

Shields and Wikeepa did not respond to questions or requests for comment by the time of publication.

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