A National Party MP who attended a Covid-19 vaccine mandate protest today has deleted pictures she posted on Facebook.
National Party list MP Harete Hipango at an anti-lockdown and vaccine mandate protest in Whanganui. Photo: Facebook
Whanganui List MP Harete Hipango posted a picture of herself on Facebook, at a rally in her electorate today.
The post showed protesters carrying placards reading "lockdowns destroy livelihoods, truth will prevail and it's not about health, it's about control".
In text accompanying the images, Hipango wrote about freedom and choice and criticised the label anti-vaxers.
However, a few hours later, the post had been taken down.
Hipango attended a similar protest in early November.
The post has since been removed.
Harete Hipango said: "I have taken down the Facebook post I made earlier today - it has been pointed out to me that it could convey an anti-vaccination message which was never my intention.
"I am vaccinated, and like the rest of the National Party I strongly support vaccination for our whānau and communities."
National Party leader Christopher Luxon said he had had a word with Hipango.
"I have talked to Harete and she has taken her post down. The views of the group she was with do not align with those of the National Party.
"I am strongly supportive of vaccination, as is the National party. I encourage everyone to take that step as the best protection, for themselves and their family, against Covid."
Note: This story has been updated to include comments from Harete Hipango and Christopher Luxon.