New Zealand's Minister for Pacific Peoples says an attack on the prime minister's visit to Tokelau by the opposition leader Simon Bridges is divisive dog-whistle politics.
This week Mr Bridges accused prime minister Jacinda Ardern of failing in her duties by being in Tokelau instead of leading a government response to the Ihumātao land dispute in South Auckland and called her a part-time prime minister.
Aupito William Sio says the comments expose Simon Bridges' ignorance about Tokelau being part of New Zealand's realm.
Aupito told Dominic Godfrey the comments are also out of step with New Zealand and reflect the politics of the dawn raids era.
Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito Tofae Su'a William Sio. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Indira Stewart
