Text of Maori Party MP Hone Harawira's comments on Radio Waatea on Tuesday morning:
There's been considerable media speculation about a recent email from me so I thought it best to clarify a few things.
Firstly, I readily apologise for the poor choice of words in that email. I suspect if I had said something like `European colonisers have been responsible for the loss of more than 63 million acres of Maori land over the past 150 years and it is inappropriate that you should be holding me to standards set by people with such little regard for Maori land and Maori custom, it wouldn't have rated a mention at all in the media.
My choice of words however has led to a flood of emails and accusations from all and sundry and for that I do apologise.
I apologise to the party because the party has done many wonderful things to advance Maori aspiration and I know that my words have caused considerable damage and unnecessary harm to our relationships with other people and with other parties.
A close friend has also forcefully pointed out that the mofo word is demeaning to women and I apologise unconditionally for using that word.
I note also that my comments have been misunderstood as an attack against all Pakeha and that's caused a lot of damage to my own credibility throughout the Te Tai Tokerau and throughout Aotearoa as well.
I need to say a few words just on that score. Over the past 25 years in particular I've put a lot of effort into what I call phase two of Maori activism. Phase one is protest action and I return often to that philosophy, it helped guide my thinking.
Phase two is building alternatives and since returning to Kaitaia I've put a lot of energy into helping Maori believe that we can do anything.
Much of that work has meant building close working relationships with many Pakeha businesses in the Far North and throughout Te Tai Tokerau and many Pakeha people that I have worked alongside on a wide range of issues in the public arena right throughout the country.
I know that those relationships have been strained by my comments, I know that I have work to do to repair those relationships, and I intend to do so.
I stand by the comments that I made about he importance that my wife plays in my life. But I am not surprised that the media has chosen to completely ignore those comments in favour of highlighting the more sensational first words.
Over the weekend I met with the party president and co-vice presidents and took on board some very good advice about how best to deal with controversial emails and I intend to follow that advice to ensure that such responses as my last one do not happen again in future.
I recognise that there needs to be some serious bridge building on my party with my caucus colleagues and I will be doing so over the next few weeks.
Although it has been suggested to me on numerous occasions that I consider doing so I am not leaving the Maori Party. Our strength is in numbers and our commitment to a common goal. And I will be taking up a request from the party president to draft a plan to help the party and the caucus to move positively into the future.
And finally my thanks for all the support I received from all of
the country over the past few days and the support the people of Te
Tai Tokerau have always shown me and held in the past. I intend to
continue to do whatever it takes to justify that support.
We'll be live streaming Hone Harawira's press conference at
3pm today
What do you think about Hone Harawira's email and subsequent
apology? Leave your comments on the messageboard below
Add a Comment:
Post new commentGreg Cramond said on 2011-01-28 @ 19:02 NZDT: Report abusive post
Hone was in Kitimat (Canada) for a conference for American Indian Nations, did his usual racist rant and blamed white people for everything wrong and then left after being presented with the indian name of walking eagle... This means 'one so full of sh!t, he can not fly'. Hone, give it up mate, you look like an idiot... It is New Zealand, not Whites and Maoris, Us and Them, people like you incite racism... Let it go... Bro!
Rog said on 2009-12-02 @ 09:45 NZDT: Report abusive post
Harawira should look at the history of his own race before criticising others. They stole land from, raped, murdered and ate their own people when they felt like it. He should read the book "This Horrid Practice" by Paul Moon plus accounts in the National Archives of Maori history.
shiloh said on 2009-11-30 @ 07:52 NZDT: Report abusive post
It looks as though they are waiting for all the racist hype to quiten down, and then keep him on in the party. Mind you... when you think about it, if they kick him out, the Maori party will have to deal with the wrath of Hone's fans. And if they keep him, they have the rest of the country to deal with!! GET RID OF HIM! NZ has no room for racist politicians.
paulmmmm said on 2009-11-29 @ 18:18 NZDT: Report abusive post
Being in New Zealand from Australia to witness Hone's spectacular racist and stupid remarks was fascinating. Do they help even if true? Hone, I wish you and your people all the best. At least the Maoris have a political party - Australian Aboriginies do not.
Zanziabar said on 2009-11-29 @ 18:12 NZDT: Report abusive post
This is completely unacceptable, this is a truly horrendous double-standard applied to this entire political circus. As it has been pointed out before, If a Pakeha MP was to make the same comment about Maori then he would be expelled. Instead, We get a maori party unable to face up to it's responsibilities as a political party. Mark my words, there will be massive public outrage if he isn't expelled from his causcus.