He's also distanced himself from more comments from Te Pāti Māori MP Takuta Ferris.
Hipkins said he disagreed with the sentiment.
The MP’s refusal to back down and a Treaty ‘bottom line’ could be key factors in whether the two parties can work together next year.
After a two week recess MPs are back in Parliament and the political week is shaping up to be dominated about questions about the dramatic end to fugitive Tom Phillips’ four years on the run with his three children.
That's despite him saying in 2023 that racism should be called out.
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