so if you are maori you are allowed to jump ships?

[C_T_Russell]

Might be because she hasn't technically resigned from Labour... so she would have to resign or be expelled from labour for the waka jumping legislation to be invoked.  I can see her being expelled fairly quickly if she doesn't officially resign from labour

That same day, Speaker of the House Adrian Rurawhe confirmed that Whaitiri would serve the remainder of her 2020–2023 term as an independent member of Parliament under standing order 35.5, which avoids invoking the waka-jumping provisions of the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Act 2018. Rurawhe's decision not to invoke the waka-jumping law was criticised by National Party MPs Michael Woodhouse, Chris Bishop, and ACT Party leader David Seymour.[45] On 4 May, Rurawhe clarified that he had not received from Whaitiri a letter of resignation from Labour, despite her public statements.[46] Therefore she remains a Labour MP under electoral legislation, but is an independent MP for parliamentary purposes under standing orders.[47]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meka_Whaitiri

From what I read, the speaker of the house could have invoked the Waka jumping legislation, but didn't.
I dont know how that even works if she still is technically a member of Labour.