George Ngatai quits NZ First Papakura candidacy after alleged leaked texts resurface political past

George Ngatai has resigned as New Zealand First’s candidate for Papakura following fresh scrutiny over his political history, ending his bid for Parliament just weeks after being confirmed for the South Auckland seat.

thisquality understands Ngatai stepped down after accepting that inquiries had previously been made about possible candidacy opportunities with other political parties.

This ad is not available right now due to a network issue or pending review with the Google Advertisement Network. Please check back later.

The issue emerged publicly and placed renewed attention on Ngatai’s political background ahead of the November 7 general election.

Scrutiny came amid the circulation of screenshots purporting to show private text exchanges, which were alleged online to have been leaked by Martel Wikeepa, known as Shubz.

The authenticity and full context of the messages have not been independently verified.

Image: George Ngatai (right), who has been seen campaigning alongside New Zealand First leader Winston Peters (left), is the party’s confirmed Papakura candidate for the 2026 general election. Peters also publicly backed a major South Auckland infrastructure announcement during the party’s Manukau campaign launch, which Ngatai welcomed. (File / New Zealand First / Facebook)

This ad is not available right now due to a network issue or pending review with the Google Advertisement Network. Please check back later.

Ngatai’s departure creates another disruption for New Zealand First and leaves the party needing a replacement candidate in Papakura as the campaign enters its final months.

Ngatai was formally named as the party’s Papakura candidate in July and had been campaigning across the electorate.

Earlier this month, Ngatai announced he was stepping down as managing director and chief executive of the Whānau Ora Community Clinic Group so he could focus full-time on his election campaign.

Image: Radio Aotearoa has pulled Martel Wikeepa’s Shubz Says So from the air indefinitely, also abandoning plans to expand the programme to five evenings a week following concerns linked to recent social media activity. (File. / Courtesy of RCR)

The resignation also comes after a separate controversy involving Radio Aotearoa, a broadcaster linked to Ngatai through his business interests.

Radio Aotearoa confirmed on Wednesday that Martel Wikeepa’s ‘Shubz Says So’ programme had been stood down indefinitely. The station said the move followed an ongoing review of broadcasting standards, social media activity and the future direction of the programme.

A planned expansion of the show to five nights a week was also cancelled.

This ad is not available right now due to a network issue or pending review with the Google Advertisement Network. Please check back later.

The specific developments behind the decision were not made public, with the station saying it would not discuss private communications or individual matters through the media.

Management said it had a responsibility to protect the integrity and reputation of the network, its listeners and those associated with the station.

Image: Radio Aotearoa is owned by Aotearoa Media Ltd, split evenly between directors Raewyn Bhana (left) and Rongokino George Ngatai (right), as the network weighs its next move following Martel Wikeepa’s indefinite stand-down. (Supplied)

Aotearoa Media Ltd, which owns the network, is jointly owned by Ngatai and his wife, Raewyn Bhana.

There is no public evidence that the Radio Aotearoa controversy was directly connected to Ngatai’s resignation from New Zealand First. The developments occurred during the same period of heightened public scrutiny.

Ngatai has had a troubling involvement in community organisations, health services, broadcasting and politics over the years, with previous links to several political parties before joining New Zealand First for the 2026 campaign.

This ad is not available right now due to a network issue or pending review with the Google Advertisement Network. Please check back later.

An Employment Relations Authority case was lost in 2023, when the Authority found The Whānau Ora Community Clinic Ltd had unjustifiably dismissed former employee Mere Broughton and ordered it to pay $37,640.98 plus interest in compensation, lost wages, notice and holiday pay.

Papakura has traditionally been held by National, but the electorate is facing a change of representation following the retirement of long-serving MP Judith Collins. New Zealand First had been seeking to strengthen its support in the seat as part of its wider South Auckland campaign.

The party has not yet announced who will replace Ngatai as its Papakura candidate.

Advertisement

Advertisement Why this ad? Advertising revenue keeps articles free to read. Ads are personalised by Google, not us. Thank you for your support! 🎉

Advertisement