The Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Kelvin Davis, denies his fellow Māori MPs are shackled in the party.
Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri yesterday announced she was leaving Labour to join Te Pāti Māori, a move which her Labour colleagues maintain has come as a shock.
Ms Whaitari described a feeling of shackles being unlocked on making the decision.
Kelvin Davis told Ingrid Hipkiss those in Labour's Māori caucus do not feel the same way.
