Click for the full interview.

New Zealand Māori Council executive director Matthew Tukaki is rejecting criticism of his social media posts from a conservative lobby group.

Taxpayers Union spokesperson Jordan Williams called for Mr Tukaki to resign from his appointment as chair of a ministerial advisory panel on Oranga Tamariki because of posts calling former Opposition leader Simon Bridges a bonehead and a whackhead for stances such as opposing the Matariki public holiday and defending gay conversion therapy.

Mr Tukaki says it’s the right-wing outrage machine that needs to dial back its posts.

"They would do well to stop plying division and tirades of abuse against people of colour in this country, because quite frankly that is not who we are as a people, and as for Mr Williams and his little smashed avocado breakfast/brunches, as far as I am concerned every day of the week no matter what role I am in I will always push back," he says.

Matthew Tukaki says if it’s talking about ethical violations, the taxpayers Union should pay back the money they got from the COVID wage subsidy.

Follow us on &