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Source: ONE News -
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Polarising political figures Don Brash and Hone Harawira crossed swords in a televised debate tonight with neither giving way on their views.
The two traded blows, levelling accusations of racism as they debated whether the Maori seats should be retained.
Harawira stood by his 2005 comments that Brash's politics were like Hitler's, telling him: "When you target Maori, it's very much like Hitler targeting the Jews."
Brash accused Harawira of being confused about his new Mana Party's polices, asking if his new party was a "left-wing party or a racist party".
Harawira rebutted, asking Brash if Act will be a "ku-klux-klan party or a rich pricks' party".
Harawira said his party would be a "strong and independent Maori voice in parliament" and would counter Phil Goff, who was no longer "a champion of the working class".
"I don't subscribe to the policies of trickle-down which Don Brash and his mates talk about where you give tax cuts to the rich boys and hope that things trickle down. They haven't," he said.
Brash said he will be advocating a "one law for all" policy as new Act leader.
"Article three (of the Treaty of Waitangi) says that all New Zealanders should have the same rights and duties as British subjects. What can be wrong with that? I agree with that."
He said he did not think Maori had a special place in New Zealand, which Harawira said was the "fundamental difference" between their standpoints.
"They were the first people here, but the treaty says everybody has the same rights under the law," said Brash.
Harawira said Brash was should read the Maori version of the treaty, which "recognises rangatiratanga" and "the principle of Kawanatanga".
Brash to stand in seat
Asked on Close Up tonight if he would stand in a seat, Don Brash said "probably, yes".
He said he was confident the Act Part would win Epsom and get "much higher" than 5% share of the vote.
It was yet to be decided if former Auckland City mayor John Banks would be Act's Epsom candidate, Brash said.
Harawira said he wanted the Maori Party to focus on holding its seats, while his new Mana Party would aim to get more than 5% of the party vote.
Did you watch the debate? Who do you think came out best? Have your say on the messageboard below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentBenjo71 said on 2011-05-10 @ 22:51 NZDT: Report abusive post
Hone came across better. I used to believe in 'one law for all', but that's a very simplistic approach, I mean, we don't give everyone the same percentage tax cut, do we ? Really that was just Brash's race card, and it was fairly weak, he was calling out "Come on all you red-necks,the Maoris are revolting." We don't need more globalist free-market corporate-friendly government, we need more working-class heroes in the beehive. The rich will be fine, let's swing the pendulum the other way a bit.
IKIWI said on 2011-05-05 @ 17:27 NZDT: Report abusive post
Brash is back and playing the same old redneck tune. Remember Don, your "social" comments regarding Maori, fall on less foolish ears in New Zealand these days. More practice on the "keep it real" calculator please.
Fuzzywuzzy said on 2011-05-05 @ 17:18 NZDT: Report abusive post
Dear Don Brash, As a British migrant with a rather multicultural past, can you please explain to us all how you can advocate multi-culturism for New Zealand when you have so little understanding of the bi-cultural framework that is Aoteroa?
Pappy said on 2011-05-05 @ 16:32 NZDT: Report abusive post
Were not the Moriori the first recorded people in New Zealand ? Messrs Harawira and Brash should get their history right. The Maori took the country by force and Mr Harawira wants to perpetuate that. When asked by Mr Brash about the benefits that he will get by being a party leader and using taxpayers money to further his own agenda, Mr Harawira quickly changed the subject. Mr Harawira has proven himself racist. Mr Brash has shown himself to be a master manipulator. Can either be trusted ?
digital247 said on 2011-05-05 @ 11:33 NZDT: Report abusive post
Brash has great intellect but can't remove enough emotion to stake his position ... Michael Laws has superior debating style!