A senior Labour MP's suggesting Te Pati Maori's sending mixed messages

Te Pati Maori's Takuta Ferris twice attacked ethnic Labour party volunteers who sign-waved in the Tamaki Makaurau by-election, claiming they were taking a Maori seat away from Maori.

The party says it hasn't changed its position on the matter, after apologising for his remarks.

The post on social media remains up.

Senior Labour MP Ginny Andersen says the party's messaging's confused.

But she says Labour's been clear it's not prepared to work with those points of view.