David Farrar: Can you waka jump when you have overhang?

It seems clear that the Tamihere faction wants to expel Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Takuta Ferris from Te Pati Maori, and possibly to also waka jump them from Parliament, causing by-elections.

At first glance they should be able to do this, as you only needs a two thirds majority in caucus to expect MPs under the Electoral Act. So four of of six in favour would qualify.

Ele Ludemann: Two more reasons to not vote Green

The Gren Party has given us two more reasons to not vote for them.

The first is the on-going saga over whether or not to invoke the waka jumping law :

It will now drag on until at least October 17th, but might go longer if Darleen Tama has another card to play.

Peter Dunne: The Greens moral high horse

The curious case of ex Green MP Darleen Tana raises interesting questions beyond her immediate political future.

Whether she leaves Parliament or stays, her fate is largely settled - her (brief) political career is over. If she goes, she at least has the opportunity of a fresh start, far away from politics. But should she decide to stay, she faces two years of ostracism and scorn from all sides of the House, and limited opportunities to participate in the House's proceedings, in either the Debating Chamber or select committees.

Cam Slater: Greens Beg Tana to Resign

The Greens are looking quite pathetic as they are now literally begging Darleen Tana to resign from parliament, mainly because she’s embarrassed them but also because they want her to resign so the next Green womble can come in on the list.

Point of Order: Messy? Not according to Meka Whaitiri....

.....but she said so before her Maori Party colleagues were ejected from Parliament

While waiting for Hansard’s official record of Meka Whaitiri’s personal statement to Parliament this afternoon, Point of Order found a press statement from New Zealand First.

It was teasingly headed Whaitiri fiasco a multi-party deception.

More teasingly, Winston Peters’ name was absent from the text which kicked off:

Garrick Tremain: Waka jumping

 Here is Garrick Tremain's cartoon commentary on political party waka jumping! 

Tim Watkin: R.E.S.P.E.C.T. - Find out what it means to Me...Ka

It’s one of those lines oft-trotted out by parents, managers and trainers, but is no less true for its homespun nature. The line goes: “It’s not just what you do, but how you do it”.

What Meka Whaitiri did yesterday morning is significant enough. A sitting minister (outside of cabinet) leaving a party less than six months out from an election is a shocking move. The timing and the scale of the decision – let alone the political message it sends voters – is inherently dramatic.