Goff calls for Harawira punishment 

Source: NZPA

• WATCH the video (7:20)

Labour Party leader Phil Goff is demanding stern punishment for under-fire MP Hone Harawira.

After his apology for an offensively worded email , Harawira went on to say the Labour leader "should be put up against a wall and shot" for supporting the foreshore and seabed legislation.

Goff says Harawira is not fit for Parliament and shrugged off his comments, saying Harawira had failed to address any of the issues.

"The attitudes behind his statements, not simply the language, have no place in New Zealand politics," he says.

"He's got to be held accountable for what he did, no excuses."

"When you come out and you make a comment like that, where you brand a whole ethnic group in this country in the most obscene and vile way, and then apologise for the language, but not for the meaning, there is no place in parliament for that," he says.

Goff says both the Maori Party and the Prime Minister need to take a firm-line with the Te Tai Tokerau MP.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission says it has received a record 220 complaints about Harawira's recent controversial racial comments.

The race relations commissioner says while the complaints are being considered, the Maori Party should also be taking some action.

"There has to be a publicly acceptable statement by the Maori Party, that this action by Hone Harawira was contrary to its values," he says.

It is expected Maori Party leadership will decide at a Hui on Wednesday on any disciplinary action against the MP.

You can read Hone Harawira's email in full here

AUDIO: Listen to Hone Harawira's comments about Phill Goff (0:31) WARNING CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE

How do you feel about Hone Harawira's apology and his comments? Share your opinion on our message board below.  

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ebonyivory ; 2009-11-21 @ 11:44 NZDT  

Yep looks like he will stay 'gutless' is the word to mind about everyone in parliament who have their heads in the sand, now he's running to the QC to help him and others at the university who are obviously activists as well and have been for years. Well Maori Party let him stay the damage is done and it will happen again for sure its only a matter of time you all know that, how can you accept him back after all that. If the party means that much to you don't let him back in make a stand NOW!

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sjk109 ; 2009-11-20 @ 23:11 NZDT  

Let's just look at the major issue here: The fact that Hone skipped part of a conference has really become irrelevant. The comments he made are racist and there is absolutely no plausible defense for his actions. There is a huge double standard that exists in our politically correct correct and it is a gross injustice for him to get away with this with a little slap on the wrist. For goodness sake- ALL people who are Maori are also part "something else" (usually Pakeha) so we are all to blame!!!

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Westridge2001 ; 2009-11-20 @ 23:08 NZDT  

I see today it looks like he'll remain in the party... and that would be right. Appear upset, wait til the fuss has died down, and then business as usual for the Maori party. If Harawira stays then I loose any respect for the Maori party I had. Pathetic politicians. Pathetic behaviour. I can't believe we choose people like this to run the country.

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Noddy samurai ; 2009-11-20 @ 22:11 NZDT  

The Maori Party will not get any votes in the future especially while they're in the company of Hone. He is a disgrace to N.Z

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slick__starr ; 2009-11-20 @ 10:49 NZDT  

I think that it is in fact not hones fault. It is the New Zealand public ,Black,White, Brown whatever colour of skin. Because we encourage ALL politicians to behave the way they do simply by voting, when will we have a New Zealand government that is for all New Zealanders, One Government, One people. and as long as my butt points to the ground thier will always be rascism , Lets move on.

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