Election 2023 updates: All the latest developments on 2 October
National's Auckland Central candidate says intimidation has no place in the democratic process.
About a month ago Mahesh Muralidhar was filmed in a restaurant without his knowledge while wearing his blue National Party jacket.
The video has been shared online with a gang boss narrating over the top.
"Me and my partner and a few of my volunteer team members we were just having a simple meal and this video was captured without our permission and then it was shared around social media with some inflammatory language and by a senior member of a gang amongst their social circles," he told Checkpoint.
"This is obviously quite concerning for me and my team."
Muralidhar said he was not aware he was being filmed at the time but was made aware it was a senior member of the Headhunters gang, "which obviously brings all sorts of questions to mind".
He could only assume this and other incidents with National party candidates were because of the party's stance on gangs, he said.
Muralidhar said candidates and volunteers should feel safe campaigning.
He has not changed the security around his campaign effort but said he has asked his team to be more mindful and that their safety is the most important thing.
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