Tamatha Paul played songs critical of the police at CubaDupa. Photo: Samuel Rillstone / RNZ / Tamatha Paul / Instagram
Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul played songs protesting police at a festival over the weekend, after her critical comments of beat patrol officers.
One of the capital's premier festivals, CubaDupa showcases music and food along the popular thoroughfare Cuba Street. At the event Tamatha Paul was part of a music set alongside local artists such as DJ Messie and beatboxer King Homeboy.
During the set, songs such as 'Killing in the Name' by Rage Against the Machine and 'Sound of da Police' by KRS-One were played. Both songs focus on the issue of police brutality and racism.
The performance came after the Green MP faced criticism for comments made at a panel discussion hosted by the University of Canterbury's Greens and Peace Action Ōtautahi.
Paul told the event people in Wellington did not want to see police officers everywhere, and "for a lot of people, it makes them feel less safe".
"It's that constant visual presence that tells you that you might not be safe there, if there's heaps of cops," she said.
She also accused police of "waiting for homeless people to leave their spot, packing their stuff up and throwing it in the bin".
The comments attracted criticism from National, ACT, New Zealand First and Labour.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon accused the Greens of being in "la-la land on law and order" and Police Minister Mark Mitchell called the comments "laughable".
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said "undermining confidence in the police" was not the way to have a discussion about police resourcing and preventing crime.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
