Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni quits campaign after gang photo surfaces

Kerrin Leoni, Labour's candidate for the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate, announced her withdrawal after a photograph emerged of her at a gathering that included individuals wearing Mongrel Mob insignia. The picture shows Leoni in campaign attire standing with a group near a campaign hoarding, prompting Labour leader Chris Hipkins to declare her candidacy invalid due to the breach of party standards. Hipkins emphasized that while families may have complex ties to gangs, candidates must not campaign alongside them.

Leoni had previously denounced rivals for visiting a gang pad and later defended her own family connections, stating she had only attended a family function where some members were gang affiliates. Despite her resignation, the timing is too late to remove her name from the ballot. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions over politicians' interactions with gang communities in New Zealand politics.