The Maori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has pulled no punches in her maiden speech, describing early New Zealand governments as "monsters, murderers and rapists". The party's returned to Parliament after losing in 2017, with hundreds of supporters travelling to Wellington for the speeches. Co-leader Rawiri Waititi paid tribute to party founder Dame Tariana Turia, and called for the Crown to apologise for the wrongs of the past. Ngawera-Packer spoke of her personal connection to New Zealand and Parliament's colonial history.